Pre-charge legal advice involves the consultation of a criminal lawyer at the early stages of an investigation.  This is often a critical period, when the Edmonton police are looking to:

  • Gather evidence to charge you.
  • Collect statements.
  • Pressure you into saying something that may implicate you.

Don’t wait until after you are charged. Involving us from the beginning will:

  • Prevent you from saying or doing anything that could jeopardize your position.
  • Protect your legal rights.
  • Guide you on your legal options and what might happen next.

Our lawyers have worked to reduce the consequences for criminal suspects in Edmonton for a decade, and have been recognized with:

  • The Consumer Choice Award (2025, 2026).
  • Over 140 5-star Google reviews.
  • BBB A+ rating.

Accused of a crime in Edmonton? Do this even before charges are laid:

  • Invoke your right to silence immediately and maintain it: Do not speak to police, answer questions, or provide a voluntary statement. Save your breath for your lawyer.
  • Contact a criminal defence lawyer without delay: You do not need to be charged or arrested to retain a lawyer.
  • Do not destroy, alter, or discuss any evidence: Preserve all messages, key items, photos/videos, Internet search history, etc., for your lawyer.
  • Do not contact any potential complainants or witnesses: Doing so, even innocently, may be classed as intimidation or interference.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Testimonials

“One of the better lawyers in Edmonton”

“I had the opportunity to work with Ahmed Haroon…What impressed me most was how kind and empathetic he was, even during stressful situations. He carries himself with integrity and professionalism, and I believe he is one of the better lawyers in Edmonton.”

 K.M.

“Alternative Measures”

“I thank Ellen Sutherland for negotiating an Alternative Measures Program result for me. Ellen did her job well.”

L.M.

What is pre-charge legal advice?

Being investigated for a crime is highly stressful. Many suspects understandably make mistakes and provide the police with the precise information they need to lay criminal charges.

This is because they don’t know:

  • What the police are looking for.
  • What they should say.
  • The words and actions that risk making their situation worse.

Pre-charge legal advice aims to protect you from these kinds of missteps and errors. This is critical because the police will often gather the most incriminating evidence against the accused during the pre-charge phase of a criminal investigation.

“Think of pre-charge legal advice as crisis management in the criminal context.”

Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

Legal advice before charges are laid can sometimes prevent a charge, arrest, and detention. If not, during pre-charge legal advice, our lawyers often discover valuable information that can later be used in your defence.

If you are subject to criminal charges, we will:

  • Explain what the charges and the potential consequences are.
  • Start working on your release.
  • Start building your defence against the charges.

Examples of situations often requiring pre-charge legal advice

  • You’ve been accused of having non-consensual sex by someone you went on a date with.
  • You’ve been suspended from work because your employer is investigating you for theft or some other workplace matter.
  • Your insurance company has contacted you about overpayment on benefits.

What types of offences do we provide pre-charge legal advice for?

We provide pre-charge legal advice for all types of criminal offences in Edmonton, including:

  • DUI and impaired driving.
  • Assault.
  • Criminal driving.
  • Criminal harassment.
  • Domestic violence.
  • Drug offences.
  • Property offences.
  • Theft and fraud.
  • Sexual assault.
  • Youth offences.

What does your pre-charge legal advice package include?

Our pre-charge legal advice service includes the following:

SERVICE OVERVIEW
Review of your situation We assess the facts, what you're accused of, and where the investigation stands — so we know what risks you're facing and what needs to happen first.
Review of your correspondence with the authorities We go through any communications you've had with police or investigators to identify anything that could be used against you.
Review of your correspondence with complainants or witnesses We examine any messages or contact you've had with the alleged victim or witnesses to uncover material that could strengthen your defence.
Plain-language explanation of your jeopardy We tell you clearly what offences you could face, the likely penalties, and what a charge or conviction would mean for your life — no legal jargon.
Preparation for police interviews We explain your rights, what you are and aren't required to say, and how to conduct yourself if approached by investigators.
Correspondence with authorities on your behalf We draft and send formal communications to police, investigators, or Crown prosecutors on your behalf — so you never have to navigate that conversation alone.
Negotiation to prevent charges We engage directly with investigators or the Crown to advocate for a resolution without criminal charges being laid.
Ongoing legal advice We provide continuous guidance as the investigation develops — keeping you informed and adjusting your strategy as things change.
Standby assistance with police interactions We are available on-call for unannounced police visits or formal interviews, so you never have to face them unprepared.
Bail assistance if arrested If charges are laid, we prepare immediately for your bail hearing and advocate for release on the least restrictive terms possible.

“Proper pre-charge legal advice is more than just an interview with a lawyer. We offer a comprehensive package at flat-rate fees. It covers not just an initial consultation, but a thorough review of every aspect of the case.”

Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

What are pre-charge defences?

Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as a “pre-trial defence”, as criminal defences challenge criminal charges. However, the defence process can start pre-trial with interventions, such as:

  • Making factual representations to investigators or the Crown that establish an alibi, explain circumstances, etc.
  • Challenging the investigative procedures if police have acted unlawfully and/or breached Charter rights.
  • Challenging whether the police have sufficient grounds to lay criminal charges.

I’m innocent. Why do I need pre-charge legal advice?

Unfortunately, individuals who have never committed a crime frequently become key suspects in criminal investigations. Some are even behind bars now for saying or doing the wrong things while under investigation.

The police are often under pressure to solve crimes and frequently make mistakes. You could be investigated for an offence if you were:

  • In the wrong place at the wrong time.
  • Present while someone you know commits a crime.
  • Privy to information about a crime being committed.

Even if you did nothing wrong, pre-charge legal advice can help protect your innocence. Our lawyers understand what the police are looking for and have in-depth knowledge of your rights and obligations when being investigated.

“There are two key benefits to getting pre-charge legal advice. The first is to ensure that you protect yourself as much as possible and that you do not incriminate yourself. The second benefit is that it allows you to control the narrative and the flow of the investigation, and if you do it right, it may allow you to prevent being charged in the first place.”

Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

FAQs

It might be advisable to get pre-charge legal advice if the police have called you or asked you to come in for an interview. Even if you think you’re being investigated, or have reason to believe there might be an investigation, it’s the right time to get pre-charge legal advice.

At Strategic Criminal Defence, we use a flat-fee pricing model, with pre-charge legal advice packages and payment options that aim to make experienced legal advice accessible for most. If criminal charges are inevitable, the fee that you pay for our pre-charge advice and assistance will be credited towards our general retainer fee for defending your case.

No, lawyers are a basic part of our justice system, and everyone has the right to one. Police and prosecutors know this. A lawyer helps “level the playing field” for people accused of criminal offences and facing questioning from experienced police officers looking for evidence. We prevent you from saying or doing anything that could be misinterpreted or used against you later, even if you haven’t done anything wrong.

If the police call you, question you, or search your home or workplace with a search warrant, you are under investigation. However, it is not always so clear. The police may talk to your friends, family, or coworkers about you or call you and ask you to come to the police station for informal or “off the record” questioning. In most circumstances, there is no such thing. Picking up the phone to a pre-charge lawyer might be the right move at this point.

A conviction can affect employment, professional licensing, travel to certain countries (including the US), immigration status (for non-citizens), and more. A record suspension (formerly a pardon) may be available after a waiting period, depending on the nature of the offence and sentence.

If you are charged and later found not guilty of the crime, the mere fact that you have been charged with an offence can still negatively impact your life. Besides the significant social stigma that often accompanies criminal charges, the charge may still appear on certain record checks until steps are taken to remove it (e.g., record suspension, destruction of fingerprints, etc.).

Protect yourself against criminal accusations in Edmonton

If you’re being investigated for a criminal offence in Edmonton, pre-charge legal advice from Strategic Criminal Defence will aim to prevent charges or reduce the consequences for the future if you are charged.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Verified By: Michael Oykhman, Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer

Last Modified: August 3, 2026

Michael Oykhman is a senior criminal defence lawyer and the founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a leading firm with offices across Western Canada and Ontario. With nearly 20 years of legal experience, he has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and has successfully defended thousands of clients.

Experience

  • Proven Results: Successfully managed over 10,000 criminal cases, experience in complex matters such as impaired driving, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
  • Strategic Problem Solver: Trained as a trial lawyer but recognized for his experience in alternative resolution strategies, often securing the best outcomes for clients without a case ever going to trial.
  • Multi-Jurisdictional Authority: Licensed to practice law in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Education & Academic Leadership

  • Education: Holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
  • Academic Distinctions: Recipient of the Crown Association Prize (top grade in criminal law) and was the first-ever finalist for the University of Calgary at the Gale Cup Moot.
  • Teaching & Mentorship: Currently serves as the Advising Lawyer for Student Legal Assistance and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, teaching Advanced Criminal/Constitutional Appellate Advocacy.

Credentials & Recognition

  • Top-Rated Advocacy: An 8-time recipient of the Three Best Rated® Top Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year award in Calgary.
  • Professional Memberships: Active member of the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA) and the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (CDLA) of Calgary.
  • Connect with Michael: Bio | LinkedIn | Firm Office: (403) 719-6410