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Your Right to Disclosure

If they’re taking you to court, you get to see their evidence. Period.

Disclosure is every document, photo, video, note, test, and report the other side wants to use against you. If you’re charged, you are not begging. You are entitled.

If you do not have full disclosure, you say: “I cannot proceed today without disclosure. I am requesting an adjournment until I receive complete disclosure.” That is reasonable.

What should be in disclosure?

If you only got a couple pages that say “you were drunk and uncooperative,” that’s not full disclosure. That’s spin.

How to request it (simple version)

Send an email or hand a note to Crown / prosecutor saying something like:

Hello, I am self-represented. I am requesting complete disclosure in my matter, including officer notes, all video/audio, medical notes relied on by police, and any breath/blood documentation. Please confirm when I will receive it. Thank you.

This is calm, respectful, and shows the judge later that you tried to do things the proper way.

What if they stall?

If Crown says “we’ll get it to you later,” you politely repeat in court:

Your Honour, I’m self-represented. I’ve requested full disclosure and I'm still waiting for [list missing items]. I can’t make decisions or set a trial date until I’ve had a chance to review it.

This protects you. You’re not being difficult — you’re being fair.

Why this matters

Most self-reps lose because they guess. You don’t guess. You read what the Crown thinks happened, you compare it to what actually happened, and you circle the differences. Those differences become your questions at trial.

Need help reading what they gave you?

Forward your disclosure PDF (or photos of it) to support@self-represented-help.ca with subject line “DISCLOSURE REVIEW”. We’ll point out red flags and missing pieces so you know what to ask for next.