​ 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:

1. 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.
2. be seeking to appeal a criminal conviction or sentence in British Columbia;
   
3. have filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal
   

If are seeking assistance in filing a Section 684 application, please call 604-822-6140  and leave a voicemail with your full name, a brief description of your legal issue, and instructions for how to contact you. All other legal issues must go through our regular intake process.