Both an appearance notice and a summons are official notices telling a person they have to appear in court at a specific time and place to respond to a criminal charge.

If someone is not yet charged with a crime, they might be given an appearance notice.

If someone is charged with a crime, they might be given a summons.

Both documents say what offence the person has to respond to, and the time and place of their first appearance in court.

If the person does not go to court when the document says they should, a warrant may be issued for their arrest, and they could be charged with an offence (failing to appear in court).

If someone is not yet charged with a crime, they might be given an appearance notice.

For example, say a security guard in a store believes a person shoplifted something. The security guard calls the police. The police might give the person an appearance notice requiring them to appear in court to answer to a charge of theft. But there is not yet a criminal charge. A prosecutor (also called Crown counsel) has to first approve the charge. The person will learn when they get to court whether the charge was in fact approved, or laid.

A summons is given to a person once they have been charged with an offence.

Let’s say a person while driving home one night hits a parked car, and just keeps on going. A witness sees them and reports the accident to the police. The police investigate and recommend Crown counsel charge the driver with an offence. The police might have a summons delivered to the driver saying they’ve been charged and when they have to appear in court.

A summons is typically given to someone personally (served on them). If a person can’t be conveniently found, a summons can be left at their usual or latest place of residence with a person there who appears to be at least 16 years old.

Usually, a police officer gives someone an appearance notice.

Whether you received an appearance notice or a summons, the document will tell you three important things:

• the time and place when you have to go to court,
• the type of offence you have to answer to, and
• whether you must go to the local police station to be fingerprinted and photographed.

The document will tell you the date of your first appearance in court. You must go to court at that time and date. If you don’t, a warrant may be issued for your arrest, and you could be charged with an offence (failing to appear in court).

The first appearance is not a trial. It’s the first step to find out more about the charge against you. The prosecutor will give information (called the particulars or disclosure) about the charge. They may also give you their initial sentencing position, which is the sentence (or penalty) they think the judge should give you.

At the first appearance, you can tell the court what you plan to do about the charge. Usually, the court will set another date a couple of weeks later, so you have time to review the information and consider your options.

The document will tell you the offence you have to answer to. There are two types of offences. Summary conviction offences are considered less serious, such as shoplifting or causing a disturbance. Indictable offences are more serious. Examples are breaking and entering, sexual assault, and murder.

The document will usually have a paragraph filled out saying you must go to the local police station on a certain date to have your fingerprints and photograph taken. That date will be before your first court appearance. No discussion of the offence takes place at this time, and you don’t need a lawyer.

If you don’t go for fingerprinting, you can be arrested and charged with the offence of failing to appear (as long as a charge has been laid on the original offence).

A mistake in an appearance notice or a summons can make the document invalid. It depends on how serious the mistake is. For example, if the document has the wrong date, it would have to be fixed and given to you again. But if the mistake is just a small typo, it may not have any effect. If you see a mistake in the document, you should still go to court at the required time.

If you receive an appearance notice or a summons, speak with a lawyer before you do anything else. A lawyer can tell you about your legal rights, your options, and the process involved. We suggest options below for finding a lawyer.

If the appearance notice or summons has the paragraph filled out saying you must go to the local police station to be fingerprinted and photographed, go at the required time.

If you don’t go for fingerprinting, you can be arrested and charged with the offence of failing to appear (as long as a charge has been laid on the original offence).

The appearance notice or summons will tell you the date of the first appearance in court. Go to court at the required time. If you don’t go (or have a representative go on your behalf), a warrant may be issued for your arrest, and you could be charged with failing to appear in court.

If you can’t get a lawyer in advance, most courthouses have lawyers called duty counsel. They give free legal advice to people who have a case in the courthouse on that day. Duty counsel might be able to help you.

Contact Legal Aid BC to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer under legal aid.

• Call 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver) or 1-866-577-2525 (toll-free)
• Visit website

Call the Lawyer Referral Service to get the name of a lawyer. The lawyer will meet with you for a free consultation for up to 30 minutes to discuss your case, to help decide whether you would want to hire them.

• Call 604-687-3221 (Greater Vancouver) or 1-800-663-1919 (toll-free)
• Visit website

At student legal clinics in the Lower Mainland and Victoria, law students can help if you’re charged with a summary conviction offence (a less serious crime) and likely won’t get a jail sentence if you’re convicted.

• Call 250-385-1221 (Victoria) or 604-822-5791 (Lower Mainland)
• Visit The Law Centre (Victoria) or LSLAP (Lower Mainland)

You can talk to duty counsel at the courthouse where your case is if they’re available on your court day. They can give you brief advice and speak for you the first time you appear in court.

• Visit website