WEBVTT

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Court soon in Quebec, and you

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cannot afford a criminal

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lawyer.

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Contact your local legal aid

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office now.

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Explain the date and ask about

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immediate help.

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Keep your required court

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appearance.

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Apply for a lawyer for the

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case, and confirm who will

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actually represent you.

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A pending application does not

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itself move your court date.

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Ask about a duty lawyer at the

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courthouse, a legal aid lawyer

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providing immediate help.

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Access and eligibility depend

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on your situation.

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If you are detained, ask about

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help with your first appearance

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and release hearing.

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If you are not detained,

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confirm what is available

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locally.

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—Brief assistance does not by

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itself establish a mandate for

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the whole trial

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Quebec has both free legal aid

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and legal aid with a financial

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contribution.

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The assessment considers

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income, assets and family

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circumstances, as well as

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whether the requested legal

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service is covered.

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Earning above the free

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threshold does not necessarily

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exclude you.

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Ask about the contributory

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route, the amount payable and

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possible instalments.

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Use the current assessment,

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thresholds change.

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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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Keep the prosecution disclosure

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you receive.

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Ask which financial records

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intake needs and explain any

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missing documents.

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If legal aid is granted, you

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may choose a private lawyer who

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accepts the mandate under the

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scheme or use a legal aid

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lawyer.

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Confirm their acceptance and

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the work covered.

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Ask to speak with a lawyer.

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Quebec Legal Aid provides free

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telephone advice at any hour to

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people arrested or in custody

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who need counsel, regardless of

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financial eligibility.

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The Quebec bar also operates an

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Emergency Criminal Arrest

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Advice Service.

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Ask for help reaching the

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appropriate line.

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That immediate consultation

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does not appoint your lawyer

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for every later court stage.

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If you are accused,

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unrepresented and ineligible

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for legal aid, ask about the

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Quebec Bar's free criminal law

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information service.

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This free telephone service

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connects you with a volunteer

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criminal lawyer for information

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about the process.

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It allows one contact per case

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and operates on weekdays during

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published hours.

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It is not an emergency arrest

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line or a lawyer retained to

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defend the case.

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Keep the refusal and request

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review promptly.

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There is a 30-day review

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period, confirm its exact

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deadline immediately.

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Explain your reasons in writing

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and supply supporting records.

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If urgent steps are needed to

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protect your rights during

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review, ask about a conditional

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certificate for that limited

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work.

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If you remain ineligible, you

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can be responsible for those

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costs.

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A court application for

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publicly funded counsel may

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help where legal aid cannot

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meet your needs, you cannot

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fund necessary representation

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and proceeding without counsel

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would threaten a fair trial.

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Seriousness, complexity and

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your capacity matter.

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Act diligently on available

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legal aid options and reviews.

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Keep financial evidence,

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decisions and lawyer fee

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estimates.

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Get help with the proper

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application and service.

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Quebec has a separate statutory

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process after a qualifying

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court order.

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Funding is not automatic.

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An amicus is appointed to

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assist the court and may test

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the prosecution case.

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They do not become your own

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defence lawyer.

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Ask about the mandate and how

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communications are protected.

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Keep required appearances,

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explain your efforts to obtain

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counsel and ask for time if

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needed.

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The court decides.

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The prosecutor acts for the

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prosecution, not for you.

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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.