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Pocket Card: Your Rights on Arrest

The first hour matters most. Three things to know and one sentence to say, on one card you can keep.

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Pocket Card
Ontario

If you are arrested.

You have the right to
  • Be told why you are being arrested. Ask: what is the charge.
  • Speak to a lawyer right away, for free. Free duty counsel is available 24 hours a day.
  • Remain silent. You do not have to give a statement.
SAY
I want to speak to a lawyer.
Then stop talking until you have. You can ask: Am I free to go?
Remember
  • Stay calm. Do not resist physically. Give your name if required.
  • You are protecting the record, so a lawyer can deal with it later.
printmag.org
General information, not legal advice. Ontario, 2026.