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Legal Services & Important Numbers

Youth Justice And Legal Services

Know your rights

When dealing with the police, it is important to know what your rights are. In Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Act, Human Rights Legislation, and other laws set out our legal rights. There are some rights that are based on age, like the right to vote and the right to an education. Know your rights and responsibilities.

If you are arrested:

  • You have the right to remain silent. This means that you do not have to answer any questions asked by the police until a lawyer is present.
  • You have the right to be informed promptly of the reason for your arrest; if you are unsure you should politely ask the police officer why you’re under arrest.
  • Once you’ve been arrested you have a right to speak to a lawyer and the police must advise you of this right as soon as possible. The police must also tell you about Legal Aid and your rights to free legal services.
  • If you wish to contact a lawyer, the police must provide you with a telephone. You are allowed to make more than one phone call in order to reach a lawyer if necessary. The police must also stop questioning you until you have been given an opportunity to contact a lawyer. Once you have a lawyer you have the right to speak with them in private.
  • Once you’ve spoken with your lawyer, the police may continue to ask questions that you do not have to answer. You also may ask for a temporary release for the day or weekend and ask a Custody Review Board to review certain decisions regarding your care. If you’re in need of an Advocate, contact The John Howard Society at (905)-579-8482.

Your responsibilities when you are arrested:

  • Stay calm and be polite.
  • Do not interfere with or obstruct the police.
  • Do not lie or give false documents.
  • Do prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested.
  • Do remember details of the encounter.
  • Do file a written compliant or call if you feel your rights have been violated.

Legal Aid

Legal Aid Ontario assists low income families by providing access to a range of legal services tailored to meet their legal needs. There is a wide range of services available through LAO’s toll-free number, which includes summary legal advice for family and criminal matters. Legal Aid also provides Duty Counsel services through staff and private sector lawyers for those who are in criminal, family or youth court without a lawyer. Poverty Law Services, such as helping people obtain or maintain social assistance benefits are delivered through a number of independent based Legal Aid Clinics. Legal Aid Ontario has a certificate program for the more serious and complex cases. Eligible low income clients can obtain a certificate that is used to retain a private lawyer.

Durham Legal Aid

Location: 111 Simcoe St. North, 2nd floor, Oshawa ON
Phone Number: 905-576-2334 or toll free at 1-800-668-8258
Website: www.legalaid.on.ca

Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)

905-743-2800

Durham Community Legal Clinic

905-728-7321 or 1-888-297-2202

Luke’s Place

Luke’s Place assists abuse survivors with family law.

905-728-0978

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board provides financial compensation for those who qualify under the “Compensation for Victims of Crime Act” that is: 1) Victims and 2) Family members of deceased victims of violent crimes committed in the Province of Ontario. Criminal Injuries recognizes that no amount of money can make up for the type of harm suffered by victims but believe compensation can play a vital role in their recovery as it may assist them in meeting financial, physical and emotional needs. The goal is to help ease the financial burden experienced by victims of violent crime in a sensitive and respectful way.

Location: 439 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Fourth floor
Phone Number: 1-800-372-7463 or 416-326-2900
Victim Support Line: 1-888-579-2888 or 416-314-2447
Website: www.cicb.gov.on.ca/en/

Important Phone Numbers

Durham Regional Police Service (Non-Emergency)

Phone Number: (905) 579-1520 or for toll free call 1-888-579-1520
Website: http://www.drps.ca/internet_explorer/index.asp

Durham Region Social Services

Phone Number: 1-877-678-6333 or dial 211 to find social services throughout Ontario.
Website: http://www.durham.ca/

Distress Centre Durham

Any issue, feeling or problem that impacts on your sense of well-being is worth talking about. Distress Centre Durham provides 24/7 telephone helpline service.

Phone Number: (905) 430-2522 or for toll free 1-800-452-0688
Website: http://www.distresscentredurham.com

Durham Rape Crisis Centre

The Durham Rape Crisis Cenre provides support services to recent as well as historical or childhood survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families.

Phone Number: (905) 668-9200
Website: http://www.drcc.ca/

Kid’s Help Phone

Kid’s Help Phone is a free, anonymous and confidential telephone service that provides professional counselling service for youth. Kid’s Help Phone is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Phone Number: 1-800-668-6868
Website: www.kidshelpphone.ca

Rose of Durham Young Parent Support

Rose of Durham is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides over 15 free programs & services to young parents including: Individual Counselling, Teen Mom School Program, Prenatal Classes, and Parent Support Groups. For more information, please contact the number below.

Phone Number: (905)-432-3622
Website: http://www.roseofdurham.com

Telehealth Ontario

Telehealth Ontario is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse.

Phone Number: 1-866-797-0000
Website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth/

Landlord and Tenant Board

Landlord and Tenant Board provides information and free advice for both tenants and landlords.

Website: www.ltb.gov.on.ca

LGBTQ Youth Line

Provides confidential information, resources and support for LGBTQ youth.

1-800-268-9688

PRIDE Line for LGBTQ youth: 1-855-877-7433

Durham Mental Health (Mobile Crisis)

905-666-0483 or 1-800-742-1890

Sexual Health Clinic in Oshawa

Oshawa: 905-433-8901
Pickering: 905-420-8781
Port Perry: 905-985-4891

Pinewood Centre

They can assist you with addiction issues and harm reduction programs.

Pinewood Centre
419 King St. West
Oshawa, ON
905-517-3344 or 1-888-881-8878

Oshawa Centre, Office Galleria
125-419 King St. W. Oshawa, ON.
905-571-3344

Ajax
406-95 Bayly St. W. Ajax, ON.
905-683-5950

Bowmanville
206-200 King St. East, Bowmanville, ON.
905-697-2746

Port Perry
8-180 Mary St., Port Perry, ON.
905-985-4721
Pinewood Centre Addictions Support

Alcoholics Anonymous

Phone Number: 1-800-921-3555
www.aadurham.org

Narcotics Anonymous

Phone Number: 1-888-811-3887

YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program

Phone Number: 905-903-5995

AIDS Committee of Durham Region

Phone Number: 905-576-1445

AIDS Hotline

Phone Number: 1-800-668-2437

Durham Region’s Intimate-relationship Violence Empowerment Network (DRIVEN)

Phone Number: 1-905-432-SAFE (7233) or 1-877-SAFE-905

DRIVEN Website

Durham Counselling Walk-in Clinic

905-428-1212 x 269. Located at The Youth Centre -360 Bayly St. W., Unit 5, Ajax, ON.

They provide single session counselling for children and youth living in Durham region.