Finding a Criminal Lawyer in Montréal
Criminal law is federal, but Montréal practice is shaped by Québec procedure, the Barreau du Québec, and your constitutional right to be tried in French or English. Retaining counsel in the first 24 hours matters more than almost anything else in the file.
- Typical cost
- $250 – $500 CAD per hour; $2,500 – $10,000 block fee by charge
- Regulator
- Barreau du Québec
- Jurisdiction
- Montréal, Québec
What Québec actually requires
Bail within 24 hours
An arrested person must be brought before a justice within 24 hours where one is available. Montréal bail hearings are heard at the Montréal courthouse, 1 Notre-Dame Street East.
Right to counsel on arrest
Section 10(b) of the Charter gives you the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay, and to be told about it. Say nothing until you have used it.
Language of trial
Criminal Code s. 530 entitles you to a trial in French or English before a judge who speaks your language. Request it early — late requests can be refused.
Legal aid eligibility
Commission des services juridiques income thresholds are revised each year. Even if you are just above the free threshold, a contributory legal aid certificate may be available.
How to choose your lawyer
- 01
Call a defence lawyer before answering any police question beyond identifying yourself.
- 02
Confirm the lawyer is a member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec.
- 03
Ask whether the quoted fee is a block fee per stage (bail, disclosure, preliminary, trial) or hourly.
- 04
Ask how many trials they have run on your specific charge in Montréal.
- 05
Bring your disclosure package and any conditions of release to the first meeting.
Common questions
How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Montréal?
Block fees commonly run $2,500–$5,000 CAD for a summary matter and $10,000 or more for indictable charges going to trial. Hourly rates are typically $250–$500.
Can I get legal aid for a criminal charge in Québec?
Yes, if your income falls within the Commission des services juridiques thresholds. Many private Montréal lawyers accept legal aid mandates.
Will a charge show up if it is withdrawn?
A withdrawal or acquittal is not a conviction, but police records can persist. Ask your lawyer about record destruction and file purging in Québec.
This guide is general information for Québec, not legal advice. Fees and deadlines change — confirm details with a licensed lawyer in your jurisdiction.