You are considered an accused person if the police have reasonable grounds to suspect that you have committed a crime. The police will then begin proceedings against you. You are considered innocent until the process is completed or until it is proven that you did not commit a crime.
As an accused person, you have certain rights. You must be informed of what you are being accused of, and you must be informed of your rights. You also have the right to a lawyer. A lawyer helps you with the process and is on your side. He or she is there to advise you, and they can also represent you. If you are able to make your own decisions, you can look for a lawyer yourself. Or your parents can do this for you. If you don’t know anyone or your parents don’t have the money, the court must provide you with a lawyer.
Do you have questions about your rights, or are you unsure of what to expect? Then give us a call!