Criminal legal issues
We may pay for your lawyer if you qualify and if:
- you have been charged with a crime that could send you to jail if you are found guilty, or
- you are between 12 and 17 years old, and you have been charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act
We also may be able to help you the day you are in court if you qualify, and do not have a lawyer. The court lawyer (called duty counsel) can:
- advise you on your rights and the court process
- ask to delay your court date
- represent you at a bail hearing
- help with a guilty plea
- make a submission at a sentencing hearing
- have a resolution meeting with the Crown
- refer you to other legal aid services
The duty counsel at the court is your lawyer for that day only. If you have to go to court more than once, you may speak to a different duty counsel each time.
Related Pages
Learn more about common legal problems
Do you have a legal problem and live in Ontario? Steps to Justice provides practical information on common legal problems including: step-by-step information to help you work through your legal problems practical tools, such as checklists, fillable forms, and self-help guides…
Youth (criminal)
Are you between 12 and 17? Have the police charged you with a crime? You, your parents or your legal guardian can call us. If you qualify, we will help pay for a lawyer to represent you. If you are in court and you do not have a lawyer, talk to the lawyer at the courthouse…
Getting help in the courtroom
If you qualify, and need legal help on your day of court, you can talk to our lawyers at the courthouse (they are called duty counsel). Duty counsel can: give you advice and information tell you about your rights and what you have to do tell you how the court process works in…