If there are family law proceedings have already started in civil court, make sure that your family lawyer is aware of this factyour arrest and the criminal proceedings, especially if you have children. Whether or not you're able to get have a criminal lawyer or notrepresenting you, make sure you speak to duty counsel before your bail hearing. Duty counsel are lawyers paid by Legal Aid BC to give advice and limited help to people who have been arrested and do not have legal representation. Usually, duty counsel will try to speak to everyone who has been arrested before the bail hearing. However, if the number of people waiting in court cells for a bail hearing is high, you may not have very much time with them.

Under certain circumstances, you may not be released from custody, regardless of the conditions you're prepared to agree to. This will depend on factors such as the gravity of the alleged offence, any history of related criminal convictions, and the opinion of the Crown as to counsel given the circumstances of the alleged offence.