Basic BushLawyer Advice

=Getting busted!= '''“Officer, if I am under arrest or being detained, please tell me so. If I am free to go, please tell me so. If I am not free to go, please tell me why. I wish to exercise all my legal rights; including my right to silence and my right to speak to a lawyer before I say anything to you. I do not consent to be searched. I wish to be released without delay. Thank you for respecting my rights."'''
 * 1) '''Do not say anything INCRIMINATING to Police when you are busted.
 * 2) *Evade answering any of their questions especially when a lawyer is not present.
 * 3) *You have the right to remain silent – other than giving your name, address, and if in an age-sensitive situation, your date of birth.
 * 4) *You don’t have to go anywhere with police unless arrested
 * 5) *Feel free to tell them that the Cannabis Laws are 'Unjust'.
 * 6) '''Enter 'No Plea' at first appearances, this is your right and can buy more time for you to sort out your case including getting disclosure and arranging appropriate legal support (The Police would like everyone to plead either Guilty or Not Guilty straight away because it saves them time and paperwork, but it is not your responsibility as a defendant to make their lives easier, and given the fact that they chose not to exercise their discretion by not arresting you in the first place, it doesn't seem like you owe them any favours).
 * 7) *Decide if you want a Jury (only for Indictable offences - the big serious stuff!)
 * 8) '''Request full disclosure of evidence
 * 9) **Especially relating to the Search Warrant (if applicable).
 * 10) '''Plead 'Not Guilty' at Status Hearing.
 * 11) *Don't blindly accept any "plea bargains" from the police, discuss the merits of any possible deal with a lawyer and BushLawyer advisers.
 * 12) '''Once a hearing date has been set for your trial, start planning your defence.
 * 13) *Don't blindly waste money on Lawyers, remember that you have options.
 * 14) *In some cases it can be best to Self Represent with the help of a Mackenzie Friend.
 * 15) *If you are on a low income you may be able to get a free legal aid lawyer.
 * 16) *If you do end up getting a lawyer shop around, ring every one in your town that does criminal cases and provides for legal aid (if applicable) and describe your case, go with the one that is most sympathetic to the idea that cannabis should not be a crime and seems like they will go to bat to try and get you off.
 * 17) '''All going well it will take about a year to get this far (lots of police paperwork).
 * 18) *That's why we say don't blindly waste money on lawyers.
 * 19) *Using Duty Solicitors, Legal Aid, Self Representations, community law advice, or a combination of these can get you this far cost free, although in certain more complex cases inevitable costs will be involved and legal representation may be recommended, but in those situations using this site will make sure you get maximum value for money by being armed with in depth knowledge of how the system works and can instruct your lawyer from a position of intelligence instead of just letting take control!
 * 20) '''Getting to the final Hearing or Trial is merely a matter of following a process. The real case doesn't start until this point. Arrange your witnesses and prepare your questions for them, as well as your cross examination question for Police witnesses. Ask as many questions of the police witnesses as possible to keep them in the dock. They will likely feel quite nervous.
 * 21) Use whatever defense you can to undermine the Case against you, and challenge the legitimacy of the law. If it's before a Judge use technical arguments such as mistakes in the warrant or unfair targeting prior to arrest. Even if they find weed, they may not be justified in searching you. If you have a Jury you can use more emotional arguments about the Unjust nature of the law.
 * 22) '''If you choose to be a witness in your own case, evade answering when asked if the cannabis was yours. All going well you should get a lighter sentence from a longer case. As well as adding to the political pressure regarding Cannabis Laws. Never agree to forfeit your House to the Crown.
 * 23) Remember this is a War. We are many they are few. In recent times there are many new (Orwellian) laws that have never been challenged in court before. If found guilty Appeal your case to the High Court. Proceed to make Constitutional (Common Law) Challenges to the legitimacy of these Laws.