Criminal Law

Rights of an arrested person

• I was arrested with no warrant. What should I do?
• What are my rights if I’m detained or arrested?
• Do I have to answer police questions when I’m detained or arrested?

Police stops and searches

• Can police just approach me and ask me questions?
• Can the police stop me and ask for my ID?
• Do I have to answer police questions if I’m driving or biking?

Types of Offences

• What is a private prosecution and how do I apply for one?
• I’ve been charged with Failure to Attend, Failure to Appear, or Failure to Comply with Undertaking. What do I need to know?
• I’ve been charged for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. What do I need to know?

Alcohol and drug offences

• What are my rights if I get stopped while driving?
• I’ve been charged for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. What do I need to know?
• The police say I’ve been doing drugs and driving. What are my rights?

Motor vehicle offences

• I’ve been charged for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. What do I need to know?
• The police say I’ve been doing drugs and driving. What are my rights?
• The police say I’ve been drinking and driving. What are my rights?

Bail

• I want to change the conditions of my detention release. What can I do?
• What is bail?
• What are bail conditions?

Mental health court and drug treatment court

• How do I get into and complete mental health diversion?
• I have a mental health issue and I’ve been charged with a crime. What are my options?
• What does “fit to stand trial” mean?

Guilty pleas and sentencing

• Can I get criminal charges against someone dropped?
• Is sentencing different if I’m Black?
• Is sentencing different if I’m Indigenous?

Immigration consequences

• I’m a permanent resident charged with a crime. Will I have to leave Canada?
• I’m a permanent resident convicted of a serious crime. What will happen?
• I’m not a Canadian citizen. What happens if I commit a crime in Canada?

Peace bonds

• How do I apply for a peace bond?
• Should I sign a peace bond?
• Should I sign a peace bond in my criminal case?

Indigenous rights

• What does Gladue mean?
• What is a Gladue or Indigenous Peoples Court?
• What is Indigenous Diversion?

Youth criminal justice

• I’m under 18 and charged with a crime. What are my rights?
• What are my rights as an Indigenous person in youth criminal court?
• How are adult court and youth court different?

Going to criminal court

• I’m a witness at a criminal trial. What do I need to know?
• I have a court date at the Superior Court of Justice. Do I have to go to court in person?
• I have a criminal court date at the Ontario Court of Justice. Do I have to go to court in person?

Getting legal help in criminal law

• How do I get a pardon for a cannabis conviction?
• How do I get a pardon or a record suspension?
• Where can I get a lawyer or paralegal for my criminal case?

Victims and witnesses

• What is a private prosecution and how do I apply for one?
• Can I get criminal charges against someone dropped?
• I’m a witness at a criminal trial. What do I need to know?