Duty counsel recognized nationwide for upholding legal rights
This Oct. 27 marked annual Duty Counsel Day, which is marked on the calendar to recognize the work those lawyers do in ensuring that those in conflict with the law can utilize their Charter right to legal representation.
Duty counsel offers universal access to free, on-the-spot legal advice when someone needs it, according to a release from Legal Aid Alberta.
Every day, they note, thousands appear in courts across Canada with little understanding of legal procedures.
Duty counsel lawyers provide help to Canadians more than 1.2 million times every year.