Home  >  H&H Blog  >  Legal Services

Archive for the ‘Legal Services’ Category

Legal Workshop on Bill 78

by Head & Hands on

What is Bill 78? Are all public gatherings illegal? How do you contest a ticket? You can find the answers to all these questions and more at the workshop we’re offering on August 6th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm! Come join Andrée Bourbeau, member of the CLASSE legal committee and UQAM law student, who will discuss the impact of Bill 78 and give an update on the tribunal proceedings contesting this law. This will be followed by a presentation on how to contest a ticket from Daniel Barza, a lawyer who volunteers his expertise in criminal and civil law at our legal clinic. If you have questions or concerns about this important issue, we invite you to come out and participate in this night of information sharing, at our offices at 5833 Sherbrooke St. West!

Let’s set the record straight before back-to-school this fall!

Clients, give us feedback!

by Head & Hands on

As part of our strategic planning process, we’re seeking information from clients who currently use our services or have used our services within the last year. If you have a few minutes to fill out this short survey, please help us out! We would really appreciate your input so we can consider you as we plan our future!

Special Legal Services

by Head & Hands on

We are excited to announce that over the next six weeks we’ll be offering additional legal services to those involved in the student movement and/or the opposition to Loi 78!

Our Legal Coordinator, Ralph, is available to anyone between ages 12 and 25 to provide information about your rights, the letter of the law, and how to contest a ticket. You can reach him by emailing legal@headandhands.ca or calling 514-481-0277.

We have reserved spots in our legal clinics with lawyers Daniel Barza and Paul Gouveia, on June 27th, July 11th, and July 26th, for anyone involved in the movement who needs legal advice. These lawyers can help you strategize around contesting a ticket, preparing for a court date, and what to say when under arrest. Legal clinics are by appointment; to make yours, give us a call anytime during our opening hours at 514-481-0277. Please mention this post or your involvement in the movement when you call so we know the reserved spots are open to you!

Finally, we’ll be offering workshops on contesting Loi 78 tickets and how to interact with the police in partnership with Daniel Barza and Paul Gouveia in July. Dates will be announced shortly!

Know Your Rights: Interacting with the Police

by Head & Hands on

This week, Head & Hands would like to remind you of your basic rights when interacting with the police:

  • You can stay silent and refuse to talk to police or answer their questions, unless you are in a bar or a movie theatre, driving a car, or they say you broke the law. In those cases, you must give your name, birth date, and address, or show your ID, but you do not have to say more.
  • You can say no if police ask to search you or your belongings. Saying no does not mean you have something to hide.
  • You can leave unless you are being detained or arrested.
  • If you are being detained or arrested, you have the right to know why, and the right to speak to a lawyer in private without delay, even if you can’t pay.
  • You can only be strip-searched in private and by officers of the “same” sex.
  • You have the right to know an officer’s name and badge number.
  • You can report an officer who abuses you, swears at you, or violates your rights.

At Head & Hands, our legal services include information, support, and accompaniment in the case of arrest or violation of rights. We also have twice weekly, by-appointment legal clinics where you can get legal advice from a lawyer, and we offer community workshops on a variety of legal issues.

The above legal information is based on Pivot Legal‘s  “Statement for Police” cards, available at our offices. These cards can be read aloud and then given to police in case of detention or arrest.

The above information should not be taken as legal advice or relied upon in legal proceedings–if you require legal advice, you should contact a lawyer.

Did You Know?

by Head & Hands on

A lot of you probably know about services like our medical and legal clinics, counseling, and Sense Project sexual health workshops–at least based on how many phone calls we get about them! Today we’d like to highlight a few of our less visible services. Did you know that Head & Hands offers…

  • Accompaniment! Sometimes life throws you situations that can be confusing or scary.  Our team is available to go with you to your abortion appointment or court date to provide support and help clarify the process.
  • Tons of community workshops! Besides sex ed, we’ve got workshops on racial profiling, legal rights, drugs, healthy boundaries, and relationships. We are often able to tailor workshops to the needs of your school, group home, community centre, or organization. One example? “Paddling the Pink Canoe: The Importance of Talking About Female Sexual Pleasure.”
  • Food Pantry! Up to twice a month, youth can drop by the main offices to pick up groceries intended to last 1-2 days in emergency situations.
  • Free tutoring! Every fall, we match students aged 12 – 18 with volunteer tutors based on scheduling and subject. The pairs work together weekly at Head & Hands.

Welcome!

by Head & Hands on

This is the brand new Head & Hands blog, where you’ll find info about upcoming events, our members and donors, and  recent fun and accomplishments in our programs. We’ll have a few regulars, like advice in the Ask Rhonda feature, and you can expect an update once a week on Wednesday evenings! In March, you can look forward to Meeting our Monthlies and learning about some of our most relied-upon members.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your favorite RSS reader, or just check back often–we’re excited to see you around!