Court, lawyer & safetyIndia

Explain a criminal matter to a lawyer

Get your facts together with a trusted grown-up.

Organise allegations, your account, documents and urgent questions for a criminal-law consultation.

Formal processOrganisationPrep worksheet

Who it goes to: Criminal lawyer or eligible legal-aid defence counsel

Where it applies: India — check the applicable procedure, special law and local court requirements

Prepare this
01 · What is this?

A structured brief for a lawyer: allegations, your account, records and unanswered questions.

02 · When is it useful?

Use it before a criminal-law consultation or when new papers arrive. An active deadline or custody issue needs prompt advice.

03 · Start here

Find the latest notice or order and write down the next date shown before drafting the background.

Gather your pieces

  1. Keep the notice, FIR or case papers exactly as received.
  2. Identify any custody, hearing or response date first.
  3. Ask counsel which procedure applies, including older pending proceedings and any special law.

Your prep sheet

Replace each [bracketed label] with your own verified details. Open the editor to make it yours, then read it through before sending.

PRIVATE CONSULTATION NOTES
Prepared by: [Your name]
For: [Lawyer or intended recipient]
Date: [Preparation date]
Case or complaint reference: [Case or complaint reference]

My role and present stage:
[Your role and current stage]

Allegations appearing in the papers, identified as allegations:
[Allegations in the papers]

My account and the basis of my knowledge:
[Facts you can support]

Documents available, with dates and where originals are kept:
[Document list]

What I do not know or need to verify:
[Uncertainty and missing information]

Any custody, hearing or response date shown in the records:
[Urgent dates or custody]

Questions and help requested:
[Questions or help requested]

Please help me identify the applicable procedure, relevant deadlines, documents to obtain and the immediate lawful next step. Where my recollection differs from a document, I have described both rather than changing the document. I would like advice before making any statement, concession or submission in the matter.

Your next moves

  1. Contact a criminal lawyer or the relevant legal services institution.
  2. Share the brief through the channel counsel specifies and agree the immediate next step.

Real-world check

Original consultation worksheet, not a police statement, defence pleading or sworn account. Preparing it does not meet a filing deadline. Older pending proceedings may follow the saved procedure.

Sources & official links