Butterfield Law – Trial Lawyers serving Vancouver Island

Charged with a criminal offense? Butterfield Law can help.

A criminal conviction can devastate your life, affect employment and prevent travel. At Butterfield Law, we use a team approach to assess your situation and plan your defense.

Most of our clients are first time offenders. The following are their most frequently asked questions:

1. Do I need a lawyer?
2. But I’m guilty; can’t I just get it over with?
3. Can a lawyer help me get a lesser sentence?
4. I’m not guilty, what can I do?
5. What will a lawyer cost?
6. When will I have to pay?
7. What happens next?

If you are charged with a criminal offense you need to know your options. At Butterfield Law, we offer a free consultation so that you can make the right choices.

2. But I’m guilty; can’t I just get it over with?

Never plead guilty without talking to a lawyer. The law is very complicated and while you may be guilty of an offence, it may not be the one with which you were charged. The police will often charge you with the most serious offence available. A lawyer can change the charge so that you can plead guilty to the offence you actually committed.

3. Can a lawyer help me get a lesser sentence?

Yes. In most cases a lawyer can make a deal with the Prosecutor before you go to court. This often results in significantly lower fines. At Butterfield Law, we work with many clients facing jail and make deals with the Prosecutors that save them from going to jail.

4. I’m not guilty, what can I do?

There are a lot of different options when you are charged. A lawyer can negotiate with the Prosecutor to have charges dropped or your case can be diverted to Alternative Measures. At Butterfield Law, we can assess your case during our free consultations and advise you on your best options.

5. What will a lawyer cost?

In most cases, you get what you pay for. Each file is different, but here are some averages.

a) A simple plea and sentencing will cost around $750.

b) Negotiations with the Prosecutor resulting in the charges being dropped will cost around $1,500.

c) A one day assault trial will cost around $2,000.

d) A one day impaired trial with an expert witness will cost $4-5,000.

e) A three day assault trial will cost around $10,000.

• Always ask your lawyer for a firm estimate of the costs and avoid lawyers who charge an hourly rate without identifying your total cost.
• Always ask if there will be any extra charges for items such as office expenses.

6. When will I have to pay?

In most cases, the cost of the trial is required before the trial. At Butterfield Law, we can set up monthly payment schedules.

7. What happens next?

The first thing we do at Butterfield Law is contact the Prosecutor to see if we can have the charges dropped. When you were arrested, you will have been given a date for your First Appearing in court. We go to court with you on that day and have the case adjourned for two to three weeks. We then gather evidence and advise you of your options.

When you have a legal problem, knowledge is power. We have the knowledge and power to help you.

Call (250) 382-4529 today, and let our experience work for you.