Can A Paralegal Represent You In Court If You Can't Afford A Lawyer?

7 September 2016
 Categories: Law, Blog


The idea of heading to court without representation can be a very scary prospect. That can be a real possibility if you can't afford to hire a lawyer to represent you. If you are charged with a serious criminal case, the courts will appoint a lawyer to you, but could you hire a paralegal for other charges? The answer is yes, you can use a paralegal to represent you in court.

Traffic Tickets

If you have received a traffic ticket while driving, you can hire a paralegal to represent you in court should you intend to fight it. You can also hire a paralegal in matters of car insurance claims, speeding or other minor offences related to your car or driving in general.

Minor Criminal Offence

While major criminal offences such as battery or murder charges must be dealt with by a lawyer, minor criminal offences that don't carry a sentence of longer than six months, you may hire a paralegal to represent you in court. These offences could include causing a disturbance, harassing phone calls, theft under $5,000, mischief to private property and minor assault.

Small Claims Court

You might find the need to attend small claims court and it is possible to use a paralegal to represent you. Small claims court typically is for matters like property disputes, as well as business matters such as, if you own a business and a client hasn't paid you for your work, or retrieving money you may have loaned someone who refuses to pay it back.

Landlord and Tenant Claims

It is very stressful dealing with issues that arise from renting an apartment or home, or being a landlord when problems occur. If you need to head to a tribunal over a rent dispute, property repair issue or any type of breach in the lease agreement, you may hire a paralegal to represent your interests at the tribunal. It is possible to use a paralegal at either the provincial or federal level of government.

There are other tribunals in which you may hire a paralegal to represent you as well. For example, for accident benefit claims for car accidents, workplace safety and the insurance board, you can hire a paralegal for government assistance programs and the Human Rights Tribunal.

Specialized Area

It is a good idea to hire a paralegal with the specific area of law in which your case falls. Just like with lawyers, paralegals may have several specialties they deal with, and you should look for a professional who has experience dealing with your particular claim.

For more information, contact companies like SUNSET COUNTRY PARALEGAL.


Share