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Help – I need a lawyer

If you're being questioned by the police and they won't let you go, ask them to call the Duty counsel hotline at 1-800-265-0451. The police can call this number 24 hours a day.

  1. The police will tell the duty counsel lawyer what you're being charged with.
  2. You'll be able to speak to the duty counsel lawyer over the phone.
  3. The duty counsel lawyer can give you free legal advice over the phone. This is meant to help you until you can get your own lawyer.

(Reviewed November 2016)

Does this information apply to me?

This website has information about the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The Act applies if you're at least 12 but younger than 18 when you're accused of committing a crime.

The Act creates special rules and procedures for young people.

The Act only applies if you're accused of breaking a federal law. Federal laws apply in all Canadian provinces and territories. The main federal law is the Criminal Code. Things like theft and assault are crimes under the Criminal Code.