Last updated: June 29, 2026
Criminal Code Help is built to make Canadian criminal law easier to understand. We work to make each page accurate, current, plain-language, and clear about its limits.
Even with a careful editorial process, mistakes can happen. Laws can change. Courts can issue new decisions. A page may become outdated before we identify and update it.
For that reason, Criminal Code Help should be used as general legal information only. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice from a criminal defence lawyer about a specific situation.
Last Reviewed and Last Updated Notes
Where possible, Criminal Code Help pages include a note showing when the page was last reviewed or last updated.
A "last reviewed" note means the page was checked as part of our editorial process. It does not necessarily mean the page was changed.
A "last updated" note means the page was changed. This may include changes to legal information, wording, structure, sources, examples, or readability.
A recent review date does not guarantee that the page captures every possible legal development. A page may still be incomplete, outdated, or affected by a recent legal change that has not yet been reflected on the Site.
General Information Only
Criminal Code Help explains criminal law in general terms. It does not decide how the law applies to any specific person, charge, investigation, court file, or set of facts.
A page may explain:
- what an offence generally means;
- what the Crown may need to prove;
- what legal words usually mean;
- what sentencing or procedural issues may arise; and
- why legal advice may be important.
A page cannot tell you:
- whether you are guilty;
- whether you have a defence;
- whether police acted lawfully in your specific case;
- whether you should plead guilty or not guilty;
- what sentence you will receive; or
- what legal strategy you should follow.
If you are facing a charge, under investigation, subject to bail conditions, required to attend court, or worried about a criminal law issue, speak with a criminal defence lawyer.
Report an Inaccuracy or Concern
If you believe a Criminal Code Help page contains an error, outdated information, unclear wording, a broken link, or another concern, you can report it for review.
Use the "Report an inaccuracy or concern" link on the page, or contact us through the Site.
When reporting a concern, it helps to include:
- the page URL;
- the sentence, section, or issue you are concerned about;
- why you believe it may be inaccurate, outdated, unclear, or incomplete; and
- a source, if you have one, such as legislation, a court decision, or another reliable public reference.
To help prevent abuse, submitting this form automatically records limited technical information, including your IP address. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Please do not send confidential details about your own case through the reporting form. The reporting form is for editorial concerns only. It is not a way to ask for legal advice.
What Happens After a Report
When a concern is submitted, it may be reviewed as part of our editorial process.
Depending on the issue, we may:
- correct an error;
- update outdated information;
- clarify wording;
- add a source or link;
- add a note about limits or uncertainty; or
- decide that no change is needed.
We review reported concerns in good faith. If we determine that a page contains a material error, outdated legal information, or unclear wording that could mislead readers, we may update the page, add clarification, or take other appropriate steps.
Reporting a concern does not create a lawyer-client relationship, does not guarantee a response, and does not mean Criminal Code Help will provide legal advice about any individual situation.
Emergency or Urgent Legal Situations
Criminal Code Help is not an emergency service.
If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services.
If you have been arrested, charged, contacted by police, required to attend court, or made subject to criminal-law conditions, contact a criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact the legal aid organization in your province or territory.