Criminal Lawyers in British Columbia: Courts, Legal Aid and Licence Checks

Where criminal cases are heard in British Columbia

Over 95% of all criminal cases in British Columbia are heard in the Provincial Court of British Columbia, which deals with charges against adults for most crimes.

The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the province's superior trial court and can hear any type of case, civil or criminal.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada prosecutes drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in British Columbia, as it does in most provinces.

Legal aid and duty counsel

Criminal charges are among the legal problems Legal Aid BC may cover. Applications go through its call centre at 1-866-577-2525, or 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver.

Duty counsel are lawyers at provincial courthouses who give advice about criminal charges, court procedures and legal rights.

Legal Aid BC: call the call centre

Check that a lawyer is licensed

The Law Society of British Columbia regulates lawyers in the province. Its Lawyer Directory confirms whether a lawyer is licensed to practise.

Law Society of BC: finding a lawyer

The same Criminal Code across Canada

Criminal law is federal. The Constitution Act, 1867 gives Parliament the criminal law and the procedure in criminal matters, so a Criminal Code charge in British Columbia is the same offence it would be anywhere in Canada, and the charge guides on this site apply here too. The administration of justice, including the organization of the criminal courts, belongs to the province.

Everyone who is arrested or detained has the right under the Charter to retain and instruct a lawyer without delay, and to be told of that right. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Criminal Lawyers in British Columbia

Where criminal cases are heard in British Columbia

Legal aid and duty counsel

Check that a lawyer is licensed

The same Criminal Code across Canada

Charge guides

Other provinces and territories

Sources