Crimes & offences

Last reviewed September 2024 by the Clicklaw editors

Do you think someone has broken the law, or have you been accused of committing a crime? Learn about what the law says, and how to defend yourself if you’re accused of an offence, like theft or driving while impaired.

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.

|
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, an illustration of a raised hand with an X over it, and the Legal Aid BC logo.

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
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, an illustration of a page with a large X on it, and the Legal Aid BC logo.

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
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

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
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

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
Thumbnail of the cover, illustrated with the outline of a bicycle. The Legal Aid BC logo is at the bottom.

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
Thumbnail of the cover, illustrated with the outline of a hand holding a bill with a dollar sign. The Legal Aid BC logo is at the bottom.

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
Emblem is a buffalo head in a blue oval, surrounded by maple leaves. The words “maintiens le droit” are in the blue oval. Above is the word “Canada” and a crown, and below is the organization name.

Frauds and Scams

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Information on email phishing, online fraud, fraudulent calls, police impersonators, rental scams, PIN-pad tampering, and ATM skimming.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Firearms and the Firearms Act

People’s Law School
Canada’s gun laws require gun owners to be licensed and certain guns to be registered. Learn how these laws work, and how to get a licence or register a firearm.
Last reviewed August 2024
Thumbnail of the first page, with the title, two columns of text, an illustration of a house, and the Government of BC logo.

Help Starts Here: Information on Stalking (Criminal Harassment)

Government of British Columbia
Criminal harassment is not a sign of love; it’s about power and control. It’s abuse. There are steps you can take to increase your safety at home, at work, and on transit. This guide provides information on what a peace bond does and how to get one.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the word "Canada" and a small Canadian flag above the last "a."

Stalking Is a Crime Called Criminal Harassment

Government of Canada
Explains what type of behaviour counts as criminal harassment and what steps you can take to protect yourself. It also includes a list of local or provincial agencies that can offer support or helpful information.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, illustrated with many colourful icons. The West Coast LEAF and Legal Aid BC logos are at the bottom.

Is That Legal? What the Law Says about Online Harassment and Abuse

Legal Aid BC
This plain-language booklet helps youth become safer online when they use social media. It explains consent for sexual activity, sexual activity that’s illegal, and where to get support services and legal help.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Break and Enter

Government of British Columbia
Explains that break and enter is a serious offence, regardless of the value of the property stolen. This page links to the help available if someone is a victim of break and enter.
Last reviewed August 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, a photo of banners from a protest against condo construction, and the PIVOT logo.

Know Your Rights: A Guide for People Who Rely on Public Space

Pivot Legal Society
A guide on basic rights designed for people who rely on public space and regularly interact with law enforcement figures, including police, bylaw officers, and private security guards because of their living conditions.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Impaired Driving

People’s Law School
Impaired driving is a serious offence with complex legal and technical issues, as well as significant penalties if you’re convicted. Learn what to expect if you’re charged with impaired driving.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Driving While Prohibited

People’s Law School
There are several ways you can be prohibited from driving: by the province, by the police, or by a driving conviction. It is a driving offence to drive while prohibited.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Driving Without Insurance

People’s Law School
Everyone who drives a vehicle in BC must have insurance. If you don’t, you can be charged with driving without insurance. Learn your rights and the steps you can take.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a scale of justice and a book with the acronym "LSLAP" in white on a blue gradient background.

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 primarily on criminal procedure and case management. It also provides an overview of Charter rights in the criminal context, sentencing, and criminal records.
Last reviewed September 2024
Logo features a scale of justice and a book with the acronym "LSLAP" in white on a blue gradient background.

LSLAP Manual: Motor Vehicle Law

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on motor vehicle law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It provides an overview of licensing requirements and driving offences such as impaired driving, careless driving, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
Last reviewed August 2024