Criminal court
Last reviewed April 2026 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
This page explains how criminal charges are recomended and approved in Vancouver, BC. The process may be different in other communities, so contact your local courthouse or police if you live outside of Vancouver. It also explains how you can lay a private information.
Last reviewed March 2026
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 2026
Dial-a-Law: If You Receive an Appearance Notice or Summons
People’s Law School
Appearance notices or summons tell a person they must appear in court to respond to a criminal charge. Learn what to do when you get an appearance notice or summons.
Last reviewed March 2026
Steps in a Provincial Court Criminal Case
Provincial Court of British Columbia
This page explains the steps of a Provincial Court criminal case. It includes information about the bail hearing, the initial appearance, the arraignment hearing, the preliminary the hearing, the trial, and sentencing.
Last reviewed March 2026
Courtroom Basics
Provincial Court of British Columbia
This page will help you learn basic information about courtrooms, court procedures, and common legal words.
Last reviewed March 2026
Participating Remotely
Provincial Court of British Columbia
General guidance for appearing in court by computer or phone without having to physically be in the courthouse. This applies to small claims court, provincial family court, and some criminal bail hearings.
Last reviewed March 2026
Criminal Court Forms
Government of British Columbia
This page provides court forms used in criminal law matters. The forms are in PDF format that you can fill out and print.
Last reviewed March 2026
If You’re Charged with a Crime
Legal Aid BC
This resource outlines what happens when someone is charged with a crime. It describes the steps in the court process and some of the available options. It also talks about legal rights, and how to get legal aid or other legal help.
Last reviewed March 2026
Alternative Measures
Government of British Columbia
The alternative measures program allows you to deal with the charges against you outside the court process. This resource from the Government of BC explains who can be considered for alternative measures and what they include.
Last reviewed March 2026
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. It explains how to ask the judge to appoint a free lawyer. There is checklist of points to cover in court and copies of court forms. Note: The French version doesn’t include recent updates that are in the English version.
Last reviewed March 2026
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 2026
Dial-a-Law: Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge
People’s Law School
This page explains your rights and what to do if you're charged with a criminal offence and you have to defend yourself because you can’t afford a lawyer or get legal aid.
Last reviewed March 2026
Representing Yourself in a Criminal Trial
Legal Aid BC
The resource 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 2026
Defending Yourself (charged with a crime)
Legal Aid BC
This website has a flowchart about criminal court process and multiple booklets about defending yourself if you're charged with a crime. The booklets cover mischief, possession of property under $5,000 obtained by crime, possession of an illegal drug, breach of a court order, assault, and theft under $5,000.
Last reviewed April 2026
Speaking to the Judge Before You’re Sentenced
Legal Aid BC
This resource explains what to say to a judge before they decide on your sentence. Learn how to prepare and where to get legal advice. It also contains information about Gladue principles at sentencing for Indigenous peoples.
Last reviewed March 2026
Sentencing
Provincial Court of British Columbia
This guide has information about what a judge might consider when sentencing people after they have been found guilty of a crime in BC Provincial Court.
Last reviewed March 2026
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 that can be given.
Last reviewed March 2026
Dial-a-Law: Conditional Sentences, Probation, and Discharges
People’s Law School
This page explains some of the possible sentences you could receive if you're found guilty of a crime. Learn about a discharge, a suspended sentence, a conditional sentence, and more.
Last reviewed March 2026
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 2026
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 2026
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 2026
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 2026
Right to a Lawyer (for youth)
Government of British Columbia
If you are a youth that has been charged with a crime, this page from the Government of BC can help you learn about your right to a lawyer.
Last reviewed March 2026
Youth Records (criminal)
Youth Criminal Justice Act Course (Justice Education Society)
This website explains how the criminal justice system handles youth records and protects youth privacy. Part of an online course, it also walks you through information about consequences of having a record, who have access to records, and destruction of records.
Last reviewed April 2026
LSLAP Manual: Youth Justice
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It includes an overview of criminal procedure and sentencing in the youth criminal justice system.
Last reviewed March 2026
Criminal Law Guidebooks
Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
This site has general information to help people with criminal matters in the BC Supreme Court. Topics include before trial, during trial, sentencing, and jury duty. You can also find links to court forms.
Last reviewed March 2026
Criminal Law Handbook for Self-Represented Accused
Canadian Judicial Council
This resource has information for self-represented litigants (SRLs) who have been accused of a crime and are appearing in Canadian criminal court. It includes SRL’s rights and responsibilities, first steps in your criminal case, bail, building your defence, legal research, court processes, jury, sentencing, and more.
Last reviewed March 2026
Information for All Types of Provincial Court Cases
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Information about preparing for different types of cases in Provincial Court and appearing in court including tips about dress, food, and electronic devices; legal terms; courtroom layout; and the people you will see in a courthouse.
Last reviewed March 2026
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 2026
LSLAP Manual: Criminal Law
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on criminal law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It focuses on criminal procedure and case management. It also provides an overview of Charter rights in the criminal cases, sentencing, and criminal records.
Last reviewed March 2026
Navigating a Court Case: Criminal (Adult and Youth)
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Links to guides such as getting ready for criminal court, the steps in a criminal case, Indigenous sentencing courts, youth courts, protection orders, and alternatives to court. You’ll also find practice directions and rules that the court has issued about its procedures, and picklists with standard wording for orders and applications.
Last reviewed March 2026