Criminal Code section 684 Project
As of January 15, 2019, LSLAP is operating a project to assist prisoners serving a sentence in federal institutions or provincial correctional centres in or near the Lower Mainland of British Columbia complete and file Criminal Code section 684 applications. LSLAP can also assist persons out-of-custody that live in or near the Lower Mainland.
Section 684 of the Criminal Code provides that a court of appeal or judge of that court may assign counsel to act on behalf of an accused party to an appeal or to preliminary proceedings, where, in the opinion of the court or judge, it appears desirable in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal assistance and where it appears that the accused does not have sufficient means to obtain that assistance.
If you are a prisoner seeking appeal your conviction or sentencing, our program may be able to assist you in completing an application to acquire a court-appointed lawyer for your appeal.
To qualify, you must have been turned down assistance from legal aid (the Legal Services Society) and have a “letter of authority” from legal aid detailing their refusal to assist with your appeal. Please note that the filing of a section 684 application can occur only after a prisoner has filed a notice of appeal with the court.
Please note that we are only able to assist prisoners serving a sentence in the following institutions:
Federal:
LSLAP’s role in assisting prisoners with the application would be to assist in ensuring that the applications are properly completed. Please note that LSLAP’s assistance is strictly limited to filling out the correct forms for the application. We cannot provide you any legal advice on the application or on any other matter. If we provide you assistance, we do not act as your lawyer.
Section 684 of the Criminal Code provides that a court of appeal or judge of that court may assign counsel to act on behalf of an accused party to an appeal or to preliminary proceedings, where, in the opinion of the court or judge, it appears desirable in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal assistance and where it appears that the accused does not have sufficient means to obtain that assistance.
If you are a prisoner seeking appeal your conviction or sentencing, our program may be able to assist you in completing an application to acquire a court-appointed lawyer for your appeal.
To qualify, you must have been turned down assistance from legal aid (the Legal Services Society) and have a “letter of authority” from legal aid detailing their refusal to assist with your appeal. Please note that the filing of a section 684 application can occur only after a prisoner has filed a notice of appeal with the court.
Please note that we are only able to assist prisoners serving a sentence in the following institutions:
Federal:
- Pacific (Abbotsford);
- Matsqui (Abbotsford);
- Fraser Valley Institution for Women (Abbotsford);
- Ferndale (Mission);
- Mission Institution (Mission);
- Kent Institution (Agassiz);
- Mountain Institution (Agassiz); or
- Elbow Lake Institution (Harrison Mills).
- Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (Maple Ridge);
- Fraser Regional Correctional Centre (Maple Ridge); or
- Ford Mountain Correctional Centre (Chilliwack).
LSLAP’s role in assisting prisoners with the application would be to assist in ensuring that the applications are properly completed. Please note that LSLAP’s assistance is strictly limited to filling out the correct forms for the application. We cannot provide you any legal advice on the application or on any other matter. If we provide you assistance, we do not act as your lawyer.