Recognizing National Duty Counsel Day 2024
22/10/2024
If you are an adult or youth who arrives in court without a lawyer, a Duty Counsel lawyer can do a number of things for you:
- Tell you what will likely happen in court that day
- Explain your charge to you
- Explain any penalties or fines that could be given to you if you’re convicted
- Listen to your story and provide you with advice
- Look at the police report and tell you what it says
- Speak to the Crown Attorney to see if there’s anything you can do about the charge without formal assistance from a lawyer
- Speak to the judge for you, to help the judge decide what kind of penalty or fine you should get if you plead guilty
- Help you ask for bail
- Postpone (or remand) your case to give you time to get a lawyer
If your case goes to trial, you will need to apply for a lawyer appointed by LAM.
