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== Advice Counsel Telephone Service == | == Advice Counsel Telephone Service == | ||
If you know someone in custody at a police lock-up who is awaiting a bail hearing, he or she can get legal advice over the phone during the evenings and on weekends and holidays. The [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1046 Advice Counsel Telephone Service] is available by calling | If you know someone in <span class="noglossary">custody</span> at a police lock-up who is awaiting a bail hearing, he or she can get legal advice over the phone during the evenings and on weekends and holidays. The [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1046 Advice Counsel Telephone Service] is available by calling 1-888-595-5677 (call no charge). | ||
== Brydges Line Telephone Service== | == Brydges Line Telephone Service== | ||
If you are arrested, detained, or under active investigation by the police or another law enforcement agency for a criminal offence, and you are not yet charged, you can call | If you are arrested, detained, or under active investigation by the police or another law enforcement agency for a criminal offence, and you are not yet charged, you can call 1-866-458-5500 to speak to a lawyer. [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1047 Brydges Line Telephone Service] is a province-wide toll-free telephone service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | ||
== Criminal Duty Counsel (Provincial Court) == | == Criminal Duty Counsel (Provincial Court) == | ||
If you can't get a legal aid lawyer and you're charged with a crime, you may be able to get help from duty counsel in Provincial Court. Duty counsel are lawyers who provide legal services to accused people both in and out of custody. Duty counsel can provide you with advice about: | If you can't get a legal aid lawyer and you're charged with a crime, you may be able to get help from duty counsel in Provincial Court. Duty counsel are lawyers who provide legal services to accused people both in and out of <span class="noglossary">custody</span>. Duty counsel can provide you with advice about: | ||
*the charges against you, | *the charges against you, | ||
*court procedures, and | *court procedures, and | ||
*your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid). | *your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid). | ||
Duty counsel can also represent you at bail hearings and, if there is time, help you with a guilty plea. While you don't have to be financially eligible to get criminal duty counsel services, you must meet LSS coverage and financial eligibility requirements to receive ongoing representation. Show up early at court so you will have a chance to discuss your case with duty counsel before court. Bring any paperwork relating to your case. | Duty counsel can also represent you at bail hearings and, if there is time, help you with a guilty plea. While you don't have to be financially eligible to get criminal duty counsel services, you must meet LSS coverage and financial eligibility requirements to receive ongoing <span class="noglossary">representation</span>. Show up early at court so you will have a chance to discuss your case with duty counsel before court. Bring any paperwork relating to your case. | ||
Duty counsel is available at courthouses throughout the province. For duty counsel hours in your area, contact your local [[Courts of BC]] registry, which are located in the | Duty counsel is available at courthouses throughout the province. For duty counsel hours in your area, <span class="noglossary">contact</span> your local [[Courts of BC]] registry, which are located in the Blue Pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia - Court Services." | ||
{{Tipsbox | {{Tipsbox | ||
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| tips = If you self-identify as Aboriginal you may be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing at the [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1121 First Nations Court]in New Westminster (and Kamloops, some time in 2013). The First Nations Court has duty counsel who can help you apply to the court to have your case transferred there, and can give you legal advice on or before the day of court. He or she can also help you prepare your [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2431 Gladue] report. For more information, call the First Nations Court duty counsel at | | tips = If you self-identify as Aboriginal you may be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing at the [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1121 First Nations Court]in New Westminster (and Kamloops, some time in 2013). The First Nations Court has duty counsel who can help you apply to the court to have your case transferred there, and can give you legal advice on or before the day of court. He or she can also help you prepare your [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/2431 Gladue] report. For more information, call the First Nations Court duty counsel at 1-877-601-6066. | ||
}} | }} | ||
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*courthouses in Kamloops, Prince George, Surrey, and Victoria. | *courthouses in Kamloops, Prince George, Surrey, and Victoria. | ||
These services are available by referral from a family justice counsellor or a child support officer. See the [[Family Justice Centres]] description in | These services are available by referral from a family justice counsellor or a child support officer. See the [[Family Justice Centres]] description in the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] for <span class="noglossary">contact</span> information. | ||
== Family Duty Counsel (Provincial Court) == | == Family Duty Counsel (Provincial Court) == | ||
Provincial Court duty counsel help lower income people with family law matters, including child protection issues (if the Ministry of Children and Family Development becomes involved with your family). Duty counsel can give you advice and speak on your behalf in court on simple matters. However, they won't take on your whole case and won't represent you at trial. They can also attend family case conferences at some courts. | Provincial Court duty counsel help lower income people with family law matters, including child protection issues (if the Ministry of Children and Family Development becomes involved with your family). Duty counsel can give you advice and speak on your behalf in court on simple matters. However, they won't take on your whole case and won't represent you at trial. They can also attend family case conferences at some courts. | ||
Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a drop-in basis in Vancouver, Surrey, and Port Coquitlam (although appointments are encouraged). At other locations, duty counsel services are on a drop-in basis. Bring any paperwork relating to your case. See "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1087 Provincial Court Family Duty Counsel]" for locations or find your local court registry in the | Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a drop-in basis in Vancouver, Surrey, and Port Coquitlam (although appointments are encouraged). At other locations, duty counsel services are on a drop-in basis. Bring any paperwork relating to your case. See "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1087 Provincial Court Family Duty Counsel]" for locations or find your local court registry in the Blue Pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia - Court Services." | ||
== Family Duty Counsel (Supreme Court) == | == Family Duty Counsel (Supreme Court) == | ||
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You should try to speak with Supreme Court duty counsel before going to court. Bring any paperwork relating to your case. | You should try to speak with Supreme Court duty counsel before going to court. Bring any paperwork relating to your case. | ||
Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a drop-in basis in Vancouver. At other locations, duty counsel services are available on a drop-in basis. See "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1086 Supreme Court Family Duty Counsel]" for locations or find your local court registry in the | Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a drop-in basis in Vancouver. At other locations, duty counsel services are available on a drop-in basis. See "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/service/1086 Supreme Court Family Duty Counsel]" for locations or find your local court registry in the Blue Pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia - Court Services." | ||
== Immigration Duty Counsel == | == Immigration Duty Counsel == | ||