Criminal court
Last reviewed September 2024 by the Clicklaw editors
In criminal court, judges or juries decide on cases about an alleged criminal offence. Learn what to expect if you find yourself in the criminal justice system — about trials, how the court works, and what your rights and legal options are.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Click on a topic to see a list of resources.
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Dial-a-Law: Charging Someone with a Criminal Offence
People’s Law School
Typically, for someone to be charged with a crime, the police must recommend charges and a prosecutor (called Crown counsel) must approve the charge. Learn what’s involved in the process.
Last reviewed March 2024
Warrants
Government of British Columbia
Contains information about who is included and exempt from receiving income assistance when an outstanding warrant exists.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: If You Receive an Appearance Notice or Summons
People’s Law School
An appearance notice and a summons tell a person they must appear in court to respond to a criminal charge. Learn what to do on getting an appearance notice or summons.
Last reviewed March 2024
Child or Young Witness
Government of British Columbia
Explains the help and support available for a child or young person (under 19) who saw a crime being committed, or witnessed suspicious behaviour. This includes information about court for children and young witnesses, including what support you can get if you must appear in court.
Last reviewed August 2024
Steps in a Criminal Case
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Explains the steps of a criminal case, with links to details about the bail hearing, the initial appearance, the arraignment hearing, the preliminary hearing, the Provincial Court trial, and sentencing.
Last reviewed October 2024
Dial-a-Law: Youth Justice Court Trials
People’s Law School
Explains your rights if you’re a young person facing a criminal trial. Learn about what to expect if you appear in court on a criminal charge, from alternatives to trial, what happens if there is a trial, to possible sentences if a judge finds you guilty. It includes who can help finding lawyer, and who can help if you’re in police custody.
Last reviewed March 2024
Criminal Court Forms
Government of British Columbia
This page provides court forms used in criminal law matters. The forms are in PDF or Word format that you can fill out and print.
Last reviewed March 2024
If You’re Charged with a Crime
Legal Aid BC
Short, easy-to-understand resource that outlines what happens when someone is charged with a criminal offence. It briefly describes the first steps in the court process and the different options that might be available. It also outlines the accused person’s legal rights, and how to get legal aid or other legal help.
Last reviewed March 2024
Representing Yourself in a Criminal Trial
Legal Aid BC
The booklet explains what happens when an accused person wants to plead not guilty to a summary offence. It’s designed to guide a self-represented person through the basic steps in the court process both before and at a trial.
Last reviewed March 2024
If You Can’t Get Legal Aid for Your Criminal Trial: How to Make a Rowbotham Application
Legal Aid BC
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. Note: The French version doesn’t include recent updates that are in the English version.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Pleading Guilty to a Criminal Charge
People’s Law School
A criminal conviction can seriously affect the rest of your life. Understand what it means to “plead guilty” to a criminal charge, and learn the steps involved in the process.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge
People’s Law School
If you are charged with a criminal offence and you can’t afford a lawyer or get legal aid, you may have to defend yourself. Learn your rights and what’s involved.
Last reviewed March 2024
Defending Yourself: Assault
Legal Aid BC
Describes how to defend yourself if you are charged with assault. Includes what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty, sentencing information, and how to get legal help.
Last reviewed March 2024
Defending Yourself: Breach of a Court Order
Legal Aid BC
Describes how to defend yourself if you are charged with a breach of a court order and what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty. Includes sentencing information and how to get legal help.
Last reviewed March 2024
Defending Yourself: Mischief
Legal Aid BC
Describes how to defend yourself if you are charged with mischief and what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty. Includes sentencing information and how to get legal help.
Last reviewed March 2024
Defending Yourself: Possession of an Illegal Drug
Legal Aid BC
Describes how to defend yourself if you are charged with possession of an illegal drug and what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty. Includes sentencing information and how to get legal help.
Last reviewed March 2024
Defending Yourself: Possession of Property under $5,000 Obtained by Crime
Legal Aid BC
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.
Last reviewed March 2024
Defending Yourself: Theft under $5,000
Legal Aid BC
Describes how to defend yourself if you’re charged with theft under $5,000 and what the prosecutor must prove to find you guilty. Also includes sentencing information, how to get legal help, and a flowchart showing which Legal Aid BC publications can help at each stage of the criminal court process.
Last reviewed March 2024
Speaking to the Judge Before You’re Sentenced
Legal Aid BC
Lists possible sentences when pleading guilty or found guilty. Explains in plain language what to say to a judge before they decide on a sentence. Learn how to prepare and where to get legal advice. Contains information about Gladue principles at sentencing for Indigenous peoples.
Last reviewed March 2024
Sentencing
Provincial Court of British Columbia
A detailed guide to the factors and principles that a judge considers when sentencing criminal cases in BC Provincial Court.
Last reviewed December 2024
Sentencing (information sheet)
Government of British Columbia
This fact sheet explains what a judge considers when sentencing in criminal court and the types of sentences can be given. It also talks about pre-sentence reports, victim impact statements, and the sentencing of Indigenous persons.
Last reviewed August 2024
Dial-a-Law: Conditional Sentences, Probation, and Discharges
People’s Law School
If you are guilty of a criminal offence, a judge will decide your sentence. Learn about some of the possible sentences: a discharge, a suspended sentence, and a conditional sentence.
Last reviewed March 2024
How to Appeal Your Conviction
Legal Aid BC
Step-by-step guide for appealing a conviction for people who may or may not be in custody. Explains how to apply for a legal aid or court-appointed lawyer, and if the application isn’t successful, how to prepare for an appeal hearing without a lawyer. Includes all the required forms and affidavits.
Last reviewed March 2024
How to Appeal Your Sentence
Legal Aid BC
Step-by-step guide for appealing a sentence for people who may or may not be in custody. Explains how to apply for a legal aid or court-appointed lawyer, and if the application isn’t successful, how to prepare for an appeal hearing without a lawyer. Includes all the required forms and affidavits.
Last reviewed March 2024
Dial-a-Law: Criminal Records and Record Suspensions
People’s Law School
Information about a person found guilty of a crime is kept in their criminal record. Learn about criminal records, including how to apply for a record suspension (formerly a pardon).
Last reviewed March 2024
Criminal Law Guidebooks (Supreme Court BC)
Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
This site has general information to help people with criminal matters in the BC Supreme Court. The guidebooks provide information you need to know before trial, about trial and sentencing, and jury duty. You can also find links to court forms.
Last reviewed March 2024
Criminal Law Handbook for Self-Represented Accused
Canadian Judicial Council
A general reference for self-represented litigants appearing in Canadian courts. Includes SRL’s rights and responsibilities, first steps in your criminal case, bail, building your defence, legal research, court processes, jury, sentencing, and more. Also provides a list of Canadian and BC resources.
Last reviewed March 2024
BC Prosecution Service Information Sheets
Government of British Columbia
Links to information sheets. Topics include the BC prosecution service (in multiple languages), the role of Crown counsel (in multiple languages), special prosecutors, bail, intimate partner violence prosecutions, sentencing, high-risk and long-term and dangerous offenders, publication bans, information for witnesses, and charges against police.
Last reviewed August 2024
Publications for Victims of Crime
Government of British Columbia
Links to publications that can help victims, including information on specific crimes (in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and French) and on the restitution program. It also links to information about peace bonds and protection orders, victims’ rights, the Crime Victim Assistance Program, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024