Your family member was just charged. Here's how to actually help.
A practical, no-judgment guide for the spouse, parent, sibling, or friend who just got the call. What to do today, this week, and before the next court date.
The single most useful thing you can do
Scan their disclosure for rights issues — $29.99 →Read the file together. Bring the report to the next lawyer meeting.
Today — the first 24 hours
- Find out where they're being held. Call the local police non-emergency line. Get the file/incident number.
- Tell them — through any contact you can make — two things: ask for a lawyer immediately, and say nothing else to police.
- Do not call police trying to "explain" the situation. Anything you say can be used. Anything they overhear from you can be used.
- Do not post about it on social media. Posts get screenshotted and used at trial.
- Bail in Canada: a bail hearing must happen within 24 hours. Attend if you can. You may be asked to be a surety (a person who supervises and posts a financial guarantee).
- Bail in the US: bail is usually set at arraignment. Options: cash bail, property bond, bail bondsman (10% non-refundable fee).
This week — getting organized
- Get the lawyer situation locked in. If they qualify for legal aid (income-based), apply immediately. Otherwise, interview private criminal defence lawyers — at least two. Ask: "How many of this type of case have you taken to trial in the last year?"
- Build a timeline document. Write down: date and time of arrest, where, what happened in their words, who witnessed it, what they were told by police. Memory fades fast and a lawyer will need this.
- Start a paperwork folder. Court documents, bail conditions, court dates, lawyer contact info, file numbers. One physical folder, one digital backup.
- Help them comply with bail conditions. No contact orders, curfews, abstention requirements — every breach is a new charge.
Before the next court date — read the disclosure together
When the lawyer receives the disclosure (the police file in Canada) or discovery (in the US), ask for a copy. Your family member is entitled to it — it is their case file. Many lawyers will email it as a PDF.
Read it together. You don't need to be a lawyer to spot:
- Inconsistencies between two officers' notes
- Time gaps that suggest right-to-counsel was delayed
- Searches that happened without a warrant or stated grounds
- Witness statements that contradict the official narrative
- Things your family member remembers differently
Take notes. Write down questions for the lawyer. Bring those questions to the next meeting. Lawyers love prepared families. Bail hearings, plea decisions, and Charter motions all go better when the family is engaged.
How RightsRadar fits in
RightsRadar is an AI tool that scans criminal disclosure (Canada) or discovery (US) and produces a plain-English report of potential Charter or Constitutional issues — illegal searches, denied counsel, trial delays, withheld evidence. $29.99 USD per scan. 60 seconds.
It's particularly useful for families because it gives you a structured way to read a long, intimidating file. It uses plain English, not legalese. It tells you what to ask. You bring the report to the lawyer meeting and have a focused, productive conversation instead of a vague one.
It is not legal advice. The lawyer makes the legal calls. The scan helps you prepare.
Long-term — how to support someone through criminal proceedings
- Show up at every court appearance. Judges notice family support. It can affect bail, sentencing, and probation conditions.
- Help with employment. A job is one of the strongest factors a judge considers. Help them keep theirs.
- Help with treatment / programs. Voluntary attendance at AA, NA, anger management, or counselling — before sentencing — shows genuine effort.
- Help with mental health. Criminal proceedings take 12-24 months on average. The stress is real.
- Don't lecture. They know. They feel it. Your job is to be their stable, practical, present person.
Help them prepare for the next meeting
$29.99. 60 seconds. Read the report together. Bring the questions to the lawyer.
Scan Their Disclosure → $29.99Frequently asked questions
My family member was arrested. What do I do right now?
Find out where they're being held. Tell them through any contact: ask for a lawyer, say nothing else. Then handle bail.
Should we hire a private lawyer?
If you can afford it, interview two. Ask how many of this case type they've tried in the last year. If you can't, duty counsel/PDs are real lawyers who win cases — your active involvement matters more.
Can I read the disclosure or discovery file?
Yes, with your family member's consent. The file is theirs. Reading it together is one of the most useful things you can do.
Is RightsRadar legal advice?
No. It's an issue-spotter. The lawyer makes the legal decisions.