WEBVTT

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Court soon in Alberta, and you

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cannot afford a criminal

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lawyer.

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Contact Legal Aid Alberta about

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duty counsel now.

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Keep your court date.

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You may be able to get advice

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before the appearance, and duty

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counsel can help at court.

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A lawyer for the whole case

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requires separate arrangements.

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Start with the immediate

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problem, then confirm the next

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stage.

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Brief criminal duty counsel

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assistance is free regardless

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of your income.

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If you are out of custody, the

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triage program can connect you

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with advice before court and

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assess what help the case

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needs.

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Duty counsel can explain the

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process and help with available

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early steps or resolution.

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They do not become your ongoing

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trial lawyer.

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Ask what happens next.

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Have your charge papers,

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release conditions, and court

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date ready.

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Ask for disclosure, the

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prosecution material about your

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case.

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Confirm how and where you must

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attend, and explain language or

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accessibility needs.

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If you need time to find a

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lawyer or review the material,

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get help explaining that to the

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court.

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The court decides whether to

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give more time.

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Apply to Legal Aid Alberta and

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provide the requested financial

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and case information.

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Financial eligibility

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ordinarily considers both the

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last 30 days and the last 12

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months, plus assets and

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household circumstances.

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Legal coverage matters too.

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Tell intake about benefits and

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any recent changes.

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If a certificate is approved,

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confirm which lawyer has

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accepted it and exactly what

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work is covered.

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Most ongoing legal aid Alberta

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representation is not free.

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Legal aid pays the lawyer and

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works with you on repayment.

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Ask about costs, the repayment

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plan and what to do if you

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cannot manage a payment.

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This differs from free duty

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counsel advice.

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You can name a preferred

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lawyer, but their acceptance

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and appointment are not

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guaranteed.

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Ask to speak with a lawyer.

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Alberta's Brydges Service

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provides immediate, free

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telephone legal advice around

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the clock to people detained by

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police, regardless of financial

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standing.

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Ask about interpretation if

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needed.

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This advice protects your

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rights at that stage.

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It does not itself appoint a

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lawyer for every later court

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appearance or trial.

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Keep the decision and act

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immediately.

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The initial request for review

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must normally be made within 15

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days of the decision.

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Explain the error and include

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the required records.

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If review is refused, ask

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immediately about an appeal and

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its deadline, do not wait.

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If time has passed, ask about

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an extension.

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Further review depends on the

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decision and applicable policy.

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Ask about a court application

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for publicly funded counsel if

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legal aid is refused, you

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cannot afford a lawyer and

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counsel is essential to a fair

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trial.

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Seriousness, complexity, and

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your ability to defend the case

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matter.

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Keep financial records, legal

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aid decisions, review results,

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and lawyer fee estimates.

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Get help with the correct

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application, sworn evidence,

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filing, and service.

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The possible remedy is a pause

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until counsel is funded, it is

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not automatic.

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An amicus is a lawyer appointed

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to assist the court, sometimes

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by testing the prosecution's

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case.

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They do not become your own

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defence lawyer.

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Ask about their mandate and how

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communications are protected.

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Keep required appearances and

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tell the court what you have

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done to get counsel.

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The judge can explain

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procedure, but cannot give

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defence strategy.

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A pending application does not

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itself pause 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.