Theft Under $5,000 charges - Canada
I was released by a former employer without cause. I commenced a wrongful dismal suit against my former employer. Four months later I was contacted by the police investigating a fraud allegation by my former employer for a total of $1500.00. I have not made any statements to the police and have retained counsel. I have been formally charged and finger printed for three counts of theft under $5,000 by the employer. This is my first criminal charge, I have never had problems with the police before. Two of three counts were alleged to have occurred after I was fired however the dates of the cash transactions occurred while I was employed? (How does this even work?) In the disclosure provided none of the documents included indicate that a theft occurred other than verbal statements by an employee who didn't work in the office at the time of the alleged theft. The witness statements all indicate that cash was exchanged but no receipt was provided. There is no video evidence of the theft and the evidence doesn't provide a strong case for conviction. We have contact the Crown who will not withdraw the charges based on the fact that the case is an employee/ employer case. My current employment and future employment can be significantly impacted by a finding of guilt. How should I proceed with this case and how does my criminal case affect my civil proceedings? I haven't done what I am accused of but I am curious as to how I can best represent myself. I can no longer afford a lawyer because of the extent of the legal proceedings. I am open to advice, case law I can study to better inform myself?
