All questions by topic

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?

What are my rights if I get stopped while driving?

The police say I’ve been drinking and driving. What are my rights?

The police say I’ve been doing drugs and driving. What are my rights?

What are the laws about cannabis and driving?

I was arrested with no warrant. What should I do?

When can the police search me?

What are my rights if the police have a search warrant?

When can the police search my home or business?

Police want to enter my home or business. What are my rights?

Police took my things during a search. Can I get them back?

I’m going to a protest. What do I need to know?

Do I have to give a bodily sample to the police?

What’s included in a police record check?

How do I make a complaint about the police?

Can I sue the police for violating my rights?

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?

Do I have a right to a lawyer if I’m arrested?

What if the police arrest me and do not let me leave?

Can the police let me go without a bail hearing?

What do I do if there’s an arrest warrant for me?

Do I have to go for fingerprinting?

How do I get my fingerprint records destroyed?

How do I make a complaint about the police?

Can I sue the police for violating my rights?

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?

I’ve been charged with Assault. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Criminal Harassment. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Drug Trafficking. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Drug Possession. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Failure to Comply with my bail. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Breach of Probation. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Mischief Under $5,000. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Uttering Threats. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Theft Under $5,000. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Careless Use or Storage of a Firearm. What do I need to know?

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?

The police say I’ve been drinking and driving. What are my rights?

I’ve been charged with Drug Trafficking. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Drug Possession. What do I need to know?

What do the new laws on cannabis mean?

What are the laws about cannabis and driving?

What are the rules about medicinal cannabis?

I’ve been charged with Assault. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Criminal Harassment. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Uttering Threats. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. What do I need to know?

I’ve been charged with Careless Use or Storage of a Firearm. 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?

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?

What are my rights if I get stopped while driving?

I want to change the conditions of my detention release. What can I do?

What is bail?

What are bail conditions?

Do police have to release me after arresting me?

How will the court decide if I get bail?

How should I prepare for my bail hearing?

Can I have another bail hearing if I lose my first one?

Do I have to deposit cash to get bail?

What happens if I do not follow my bail conditions?

My bail says no contact with someone. What do I do if they call me?

How do I change my bail or police undertaking?

What are a surety’s rights and responsibilities?

What if a person doesn’t want to be my surety anymore?

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?

What does “not criminally responsible” mean?

What is Drug Treatment Court and how do I participate?

Can I get criminal charges against someone dropped?

Is sentencing different if I’m Black?

Is sentencing different if I’m Indigenous?

Should I plead guilty?

What does being guilty of a criminal offence mean?

What is a sentencing hearing in a criminal case?

What sentences might I get in my criminal case?

How do I prepare for a guilty plea?

Can I make a plea bargain?

What is a conditional or absolute discharge?

Can I serve my sentence on weekends?

Can I get house arrest instead of going to jail?

Can I be ordered to give a sample of my DNA?

Can the court stop me from having a gun or weapon?

What is the victim fine surcharge?

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?

I’m not a Canadian citizen. What happens if I committed a crime outside Canada?

How do I apply for a peace bond?

Should I sign a peace bond?

Should I sign a peace bond in my criminal case?

Will peace bonds appear on my criminal record?

What happens if I do not follow a peace bond?

What does Gladue mean?

What is a Gladue or Indigenous Peoples Court?

What is Indigenous Diversion?

Are bail hearings different if I’m Indigenous?

Is sentencing different if I’m Indigenous?

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?

What is diversion for youth crimes?

How does sentencing work in youth criminal court?

How does having a youth record affect me?

Will a youth record affect my chances of getting a job?

Will a youth record affect me if I want to travel outside Canada?

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?

Can I have my criminal law trial in French?

I missed my court date. What happens now?

I cannot make it for my court date. What do I do?

I have an emergency and cannot make it for my court date. What do I do?

Which court should I choose for my trial?

Can I transfer my case to another court?

How can I get my criminal charges dropped?

Should I sign a peace bond in my criminal case?

What is diversion?

What happens on my first court date for a criminal offence?

What documents does the Crown have to give me?

What is a preliminary inquiry?

What is a Crown pre-trial?

What is a judicial pre-trial?

I do not speak English or French. What are my rights?

How do I get a pardon for a cannabis conviction?Updated May 6

How do I get a pardon or a record suspension?

Will a youth record affect me if I want to travel outside Canada?

Will a youth record affect my chances of getting a job?

How does having a youth record affect me?

Will peace bonds appear on my criminal record?

What’s included in a police record check?

How do I get my fingerprint records destroyed?

How do I get a pardon for a cannabis conviction?Updated May 6

How do I get a pardon or a record suspension?

Where can I get a lawyer or paralegal for my criminal case?

I cannot afford a criminal law lawyer. Where can I get free legal help?

How do I apply for a legal aid certificate?

How do I prepare for my meeting with a lawyer or paralegal?

How do I complain about my lawyer’s bill?

How do I complain to the Law Society of Ontario about a lawyer or paralegal?

How do I make a complaint about the police?

Can I sue the police for violating my rights?

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?

I’m a crime victim. Can I get money for expenses related to the crime?