About the Criminal Project
The Criminal Law Project has been a part of Student Legal Services since 1969, and has helped thousands of people in the Edmonton area who have been charged with criminal and regulatory offences who cannot afford a lawyer or qualify for Legal Aid. We also have various legal information booklets available online.
☎ (780) 425-3356
Who Can We help?
Whether or not we can help you will depend on your age, income, the nature of the offence you've been charged with, and the level of court in which the legal matter will be heard. Please note that we can help all University of Alberta students with a valid OneCard whose legal matters fall within our scope of service.
Age
You must be 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, you have a right to Legal Aid. The only exception to this is if you have been charged with a traffic offence and you have been denied Legal Aid.
Income Guidelines
You must meet our guidelines before SLS can help you. You will need to provide proof of income documentation such as: last year's tax return/assessment, or your last 3 months of pay stubs, bank statements, or statements showing income assistance (such as Alberta Works/Alberta Income Support or AISH).
Nature of the Offence
We only assist individuals charged with summary offences, regulatory offences, and offences under the Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act. We cannot assist you if you are facing the possibility of incarceration. Some common criminal offences that SLS assists with are:
Assault
Mischief
Impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08, and refusing to provide a breath sample
Theft under $5000 (e.g. shoplifting)
Possession of stolen property
Fraud, meal/transportation by fraud, and uttering a forged document
Possession of a controlled substance (e.g. possession of marijuana)
Communication for the purpose of prostitution
Failure to appear for a court date or for fingerprinting
Indecent acts
Causing a disturbance
Obstructing a peace officer
Section 810 Peace Bonds (criminal "restraining orders")
Please note: We cannot assist if your court matter is in the Alberta Court of King’s Bench.
What can we do?
Law student caseworkers act as agents for individuals in the Alberta Court of Justice. All students act under the supervision of our advising lawyers. Caseworkers for the Criminal Project can:
Give your legal information
Appear at the Case Management Office or in docket court to speak to your matter
Request disclosure and review it with you
Assist with applications for Alternative Measures Program or Community sentences
Negotiate with the Crown Prosecutor on your behalf
If you choose to plead not guilty, run your trial
If you choose to plead guilty, speak to your sentence
We appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton, Stony Plain, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Morinville, Wetaskiwin, and Vegreville. If your court appearance is in another location, SLS will not be able to help you. Please note: We cannot assist if your court matter is in the Alberta Court of King’s Bench.
If your court appearance is in Calgary, Student Legal Assistance at the University of Calgary may be able to help you.
Opening a File with the Criminal Law Project
To inquire about opening a file with the Criminal Project, please phone us or apply online. If you need assistance with the file opening process do not hesitate to call us at 780-425-3356.
Downtown Location: #100, 9924 106 Street
East Campus House: 11036 88 Avenue, Edmonton, AB