Finding a lawyer

Youth have the legal right to:

  • obtain a lawyer to represent them
  • retain and instruct a lawyer at any stage of proceedings against them

This includes at arrest, at trial and when diversion from the court is being considered.

Depending on your financial situation, there are a few ways to find a lawyer.

Get free legal advice

To get free legal advice and contact a lawyer, you can call:

A judge can appoint a lawyer

If a youth has applied for legal aid and was not successful, they have the right to ask the judge for an appointed lawyer at a trial, a hearing, or a review.

Youth can talk to their lawyer privately

Once a lawyer is retained, it is important to know that the youth can talk with the lawyer privately as they are their client.

Without permission from the youth, the lawyer is not permitted to share information.

Going to the police station

If a youth is detained at a police station, a parent or guardian should go there as soon as possible.

A lawyer, parent or guardian, or another adult friend or family member can be present during questioning by police.

Having legal advice is very important for understanding what rights the youth has when police are interviewing them.

Learn about legal rights

To better understand the process and be informed about legal rights, read the following information: