Coronavirus: Legal Aid BC now takes phone-only applications. Find the legal help you need.
Crimes & offences
Listing publications by subject matter. For a complete list, view all publications.
Publications by subject
A Guide to Aboriginal Harvesting Rights
A Guide to Aboriginal Harvesting Rights
Explains harvesting rights and what to do if you've been charged with a harvesting offence
A Teacher's Guide to A Second Chance: A Gladue Rights Story
A Teacher's Guide to A Second Chance: A Gladue Rights Story
A resource to help high school teachers teach students about Gladue rights for Indigenous people.
Defending Yourself: Assault
Defending Yourself: Assault
Describes how to defend yourself if you're charged with assault
Defending Yourself: Breach of a Court Order
Defending Yourself: Breach of a Court Order
Describes how to defend yourself if you're charged with breach of a court order
Defending Yourself: Breach of a Court Order
Comment vous défendre pour violation d’ordonnance du tribunal
Describes how to defend yourself if you are charged with possession of an illegal drug. Includes what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty, sentencing information, and how to get legal help. There's also a flowchart showing how Legal Aid BC publications can help at each stage of the court process.
Defending Yourself: Mischief
Defending Yourself: Mischief
Describes how to defend yourself if you're charged with mischief
Defending Yourself: Possession of an Illegal Drug
Defending Yourself: Possession of an Illegal Drug
Describes how to defend yourself if you're charged with possession of an illegal drug
Defending Yourself: Possession of Property Under $5,000 Obtained by Crime
Defending Yourself: Possession of Property Under $5,000 Obtained by Crime
Describes how to defend yourself if you're charged with possession of property under $5,000 obtained by crime
Defending Yourself: Possession of Property Under $5,000 Obtained by Crime
Comment vous défendre pour possession de biens criminellement obtenus d’une valeur de moins de 5 000 $
Describes how to defend yourself if you are charged with possession of property under $5,000 obtained by crime. Includes what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty, sentencing information, and how to get legal help. There is also a flowchart showing how Legal Aid BC publications can help at each stage of the court process.
Defending Yourself: Theft Under $5,000
Defending Yourself: Theft Under $5,000
Describes how to defend yourself if you're charged with theft under $5,000
Gladue Primer
Gladue Primer
No longer up-to-date; see Gladue Rights at Bail and Sentencing, Gladue Report Guide, Gladue Submission Guide, and Your Gladue Rights
Gladue Report Guide
Gladue Report Guide
Plain language guide for Gladue report writers about how to prepare and write a Gladue report
Gladue Rights at Bail and Sentencing Infographic poster
Gladue Rights at Bail and Sentencing Infographic poster
Infographic poster shows when Gladue rights apply for Aboriginal peoples during the criminal court process
Gladue Submission Guide
Gladue Submission Guide
Explains how to prepare an oral or written submission for a hearing
How to Appeal Your Conviction
How to Appeal Your Conviction
Explains how to appeal a conviction for a summary or indictable criminal offence if you don't have a lawyer
How to Appeal Your Sentence
How to Appeal Your Sentence
Explains how to appeal your sentence if you've been convicted of a summary or indictable criminal offence and don't have a lawyer
If You Can't Get Legal Aid for Your Criminal Trial
If You Can't Get Legal Aid for Your Criminal Trial
How to apply for a free lawyer if you're facing a serious and complicated criminal charge, but can't get legal aid or afford a lawyer
If You Can't Get Legal Aid for Your Criminal Trial
Si vous ne pouvez pas obtenir d’aide juridique pour votre procès criminel: Comment faire une demande Rowbotham
How to Make a Rowbotham Application For people facing serious and complex criminal charges who have been denied legal aid but can't afford a lawyer. Explains why, how, and when to ask the judge to appoint a free lawyer. Includes a checklist of points to cover in court and copies of the necessary court forms. The French version doesn't include the recent updates that are in the English version.
If You Can't Pay Your Court Fine on Time
If You Can't Pay Your Court Fine on Time
Explains what to do if you can't pay a court fine on time
If You Can't Pay Your Court Fine on Time
Quoi faire si vous ne pouvez pas payer à temps une amende imposée par le tribunal
Explains what to do if someone cannot pay a court fine on time. Covers the three possible options: paying part of the fine by the due date, asking for an extension, or asking for jail time instead. It also explains what happens if fines are not paid.
If You Have a No Contact Order Made Against You
If You Have a No Contact Order Made Against You
Explains what it means when the court makes a no contact order against you
Abuse & family violenceCrimes & offencesLegal system & courts
If You Have a No Contact Order Made Against You
Que faire lorsqu’une ordonnance de noncommunication a été rendue contre vous
This fact sheet explains what it means when the court makes a no contact order against someone involved in a family violence incident. It describes the five types of no contact orders and what might happen if someone breaches the order:Condition of release from custody before trial (bail) Condition of probation Conditional sentencing Peace bond Family law protection order
Abuse & family violenceCrimes & offencesLegal system & courts
If You're Charged with a Crime
If You're Charged with a Crime
Outlines what happens when you're charged with a criminal offence
If You're Charged with a Crime
Si vous êtes accusé d’un crime
Short, easy-to-understand brochure that outlines what happens when someone is charged with a criminal offence. It briefly describes the court process and the different options that might be available. It also outlines the accused person's legal rights, what a lawyer can do, how to find a lawyer, and how to get legal aid or other legal help.