Toronto Criminal Lawyer

The following resources are provided as a reference for anyone seeking further information about criminal law in Ontario. These are official government, court, and legal aid sources. Where possible, we have linked directly to the most relevant pages.

Federal Legislation

Criminal law in Canada is primarily federal jurisdiction. The Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are the two most important statutes for anyone facing criminal or drug-related charges.

• Justice Laws Website (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca) — The official source for all federal legislation and regulations in Canada, maintained by the Department of Justice. This is where you can find the full text of the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Canada Evidence Act, and other federal statutes relevant to criminal proceedings.

Ontario Provincial Legislation

While criminal law itself is federal, Ontario legislation governs certain aspects of the justice system, including court administration, provincial offences, and victim services.

• Ontario e-Laws (ontario.ca/laws) — The official source for Ontario legislation and regulations. Relevant statutes include the Courts of Justice Act, the Provincial Offences Act, the Victims' Bill of Rights, and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. Ontario e-Laws provides both current and historical versions of provincial legislation.

Ontario Courts

The Ontario Court of Justice handles the vast majority of criminal cases in the province, including bail hearings, guilty pleas, and trials for summary conviction offences. The Superior Court of Justice presides over more serious indictable offences and jury trials.

• Ontario Courts (ontariocourts.ca) — The official website for Ontario's courts, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. The site provides court locations, contact information, practice directions, court forms, and published decisions. If you need to find the address or phone number for a specific courthouse, or if you want to look up a court form, this is the primary resource.

For practical information about specific Toronto-area courthouses, including what to expect when you arrive, see our Toronto Courthouse Guide.

Legal Aid Ontario

If you are facing criminal charges and cannot afford to hire a lawyer, you may qualify for assistance from Legal Aid Ontario. Legal aid can provide a certificate that covers the cost of a criminal defence lawyer, or it can connect you with duty counsel — lawyers who provide free legal assistance at courthouses.

• Legal Aid Ontario (legalaid.on.ca) — Apply for a legal aid certificate, find out if you are financially eligible, and locate duty counsel services at your local courthouse. Legal Aid Ontario also operates a toll-free telephone line at 1-800-668-8258 for people who need immediate legal assistance.

Law Society of Ontario

The Law Society of Ontario regulates lawyers and paralegals in the province. If you want to verify that a lawyer is licensed and in good standing, or if you need to find a criminal defence lawyer, the Law Society's directory is the authoritative source.

• Law Society of Ontario (lso.ca) — Use the lawyer and paralegal directory to verify licensing status, check for any disciplinary history, and find contact information. The Law Society also provides information about the complaints process if you have concerns about a lawyer's conduct.

Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)

CLEO is a non-profit organization that creates legal information resources for people in Ontario, with a particular focus on people facing barriers to accessing the justice system. Their materials are written in plain language and are available in multiple languages.

• Steps to Justice (stepstojustice.ca) — CLEO's flagship website provides step-by-step legal information on a wide range of topics, including criminal law, family law, housing, immigration, and employment. The criminal law section covers topics such as what to do if you are arrested, how to find a lawyer, and how the court process works. Steps to Justice is one of the best plain-language legal information resources available in Ontario.

Additional Resources

• Duty Counsel — Free legal advice is available at most Ontario courthouses through duty counsel, lawyers funded by Legal Aid Ontario who can assist with bail hearings, first appearances, and basic legal questions. You do not need a legal aid certificate to speak with duty counsel.
• Victim/Witness Assistance Program — If you are a victim or witness in a criminal proceeding, the Ontario Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides information, support, and assistance navigating the court process.
• John Howard Society of Ontario — Provides support and programming for people who have been in conflict with the law, including reintegration services, employment assistance, and housing support.
• Elizabeth Fry Society — Provides support services for women and gender-diverse individuals who are in conflict with the law or at risk of criminalization.

If you are currently facing charges and need help finding a lawyer, our consultation request form can connect you with a qualified criminal defence lawyer in the Toronto area.