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Court soon in Ontario, and you

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cannot afford a criminal

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lawyer.

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Contact the duty counsel office

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serving your courthouse now.

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Apply to Legal Aid Ontario for

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ongoing representation if

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needed.

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Keep your court date.

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The right help depends on

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whether you need immediate

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advice, a lawyer for the case,

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or a court application for

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funded counsel.

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If court is within five

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business days, Legal Aid

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Ontario directs you to the

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local duty counsel office.

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Have your court papers and

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disclosure ready.

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Disclosure is the prosecution

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material provided for your

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case.

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Explain the date, charges, any

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release conditions and language

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or accessibility needs.

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Confirm whether you must attend

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in person or remotely.

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Same day help is not

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guaranteed.

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Duty counsel may advise you and

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help with an adjournment, bail,

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a guilty plea or sentencing.

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That does not mean they will

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prepare and run your trial.

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Bail services have no financial

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eligibility test, other

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assistance can have financial

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and service limits.

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Ask what help is available for

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this appearance and what you

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must arrange for the next

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stage.

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A certificate can fund an

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approved lawyer for covered

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work on your case.

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Apply online or through Legal

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Aid Ontario and provide the

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requested income, asset and

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case information.

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Both financial eligibility and

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legal coverage matter.

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A contribution toward costs may

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be required.

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If approved, find a lawyer who

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accepts the certificate and

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agrees to act.

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Approval alone does not confirm

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who will attend court.

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If arrested or detained, ask

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police to arrange free legal

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advice.

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Ontario's Brydges Duty counsel

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service is available around the

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clock, even if you would not

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qualify for a legal aid

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certificate.

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Ask for an interpreter if

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needed.

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This is immediate custody

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advice.

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It does not itself retain a

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lawyer to represent you

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throughout your later court

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case.

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Keep the refusal notice and act

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promptly.

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Ask about review, the documents

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needed and the deadline that

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applies to how your notice was

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delivered.

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Provide accurate reasons and

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supporting records.

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A later request based on

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changed circumstances or

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relevant new information is a

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different process.

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Pursue available review steps

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and keep a record of your

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efforts to obtain a lawyer.

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A court application for

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publicly funded counsel may be

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available if legal aid is

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refused, you cannot afford a

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lawyer and representation is

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essential to a fair trial.

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The court considers the case

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and your circumstances,

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including its seriousness and

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complexity.

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Bring evidence of finances,

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legal aid decisions and your

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efforts to obtain counsel.

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Get help with required notices,

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sworn evidence and service.

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The remedy can pause the

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prosecution until counsel is

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funded.

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You must make a separate

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application.

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Funding is not automatic.

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An amicus is a lawyer appointed

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to assist the court.

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The judge may authorize them to

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test the prosecution's case or

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make defense-related

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submissions, but they do not

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become your own defence lawyer.

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Their duty is to the court.

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The appointment cannot be used

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to bypass legal aid or an

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unsuccessful funded counsel

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decision.

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Ask what their written mandate

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allows and how communications

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are protected.

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Keep every required court

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appearance and tell the court

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promptly that you need legal

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help.

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If you need time, explain why

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and what you have done to

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obtain counsel, the court

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decides whether to adjourn.

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Keep disclosure organized and

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note questions for a lawyer.

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The judge can explain procedure

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but cannot give defence

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strategy.

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Do not assume a pending

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application excuses attendance

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or pauses the case.

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For free general legal

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information, Legal Hotline's

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Canada number is on your screen

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now.

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Legal Hotline is not a law

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firm.

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Its information line uses AI.

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Lawyer matching is a separate

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service, subject to

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availability and acceptance.

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For advice on your own

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situation, speak with a lawyer

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in your province.

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In immediate danger, contact

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emergency services.