Saskatchewan

All residents of Saskatchewan and Canada have the responsibility to know and to obey the laws.  These include treating family members according to their rights, following traffic safety rules and serving as a witness if you should see a crime being committed.

There are two types of law: criminal law and civil law.  Under both types of law, anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.  During ordinary peace time, Canada practices habeus corpus, which prevents persons from being unlawfully put in prison and held for an indefinite period of time.

Criminal laws cover behaviors such as murder, fraud, assault, stealing and selling drugs.  People suspected of a crime are arrested by the police and brought before a criminal court.  If they are found guilty after a trial, the court will decide the punishment, such as a jail term or a fine.  In Canada, women's and men's prisons are separate from each other, and children are not put in prison.

In criminal cases, the cost of the court process is paid for by the government, including charges for a language interpreter.  If a person cannot afford the help of a lawyer, a person trained in legal matters to speak in his or her defence, the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission will provide one. 

For more information on arrest, court appearances and making a plea, please read Going to Criminal Court.  Having a criminal record has serious effects on a person's life.  For example, it can affect a person's ability to travel to another country and eligibility for particular jobs.  And it can affect your status as a resident of Canada.

Civil laws settle legal problems between people, organizations and businesses, such as disagreements over rent between landlords and tenants.  Having a lawyer to speak on one's behalf is optional as it can be expensive.  In civil court cases, the cost of the court process is paid for by the people involved in the case, not by the government.

There is both a provincial and federal system of courts.  Saskatchewan has many kinds of courts for particular situations such as youth justice, family and traffic safety courts.

Every community in Saskatchewan has police protection.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) patrol the highways and provide police service in some cities, towns and rural areas.  Regina, Saskatchewan's capital city, is the center of training for all RCMP in Canada.  Other cities in Saskatchewan, such as Regina, Saskatoon, Lloydminster and Moose Jaw, have their own local police forces.  Police officers can be male or female.

You might encounter the police if you are a victim or witness of a crime or accident, if you need help, or if you break the law.  When you call the police, give your address and name clearly.  Briefly explain why you need their help.  If it is an emergency, dialing 9-1-1 will bring police, fire and ambulance services to you. 

Offering the police money so that he or she does not charge you with a traffic violation or a crime is not acceptable in Canada and can result in the added criminal charge of attempted bribery.

The telephone number for your local police is located near the front of the telephone book under "Community Service Numbers."  Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers, a community-based program to help stop crime, has branches in many parts of Saskatchewan.  

Your local government (rural municipality, town and city governments) provides fire protection services, which are paid for by local taxes.  You do not pay extra money if you need to have a fire put out.  In large centers, there are often many fire stations; in smaller communities, there is one central station.  In case of a fire, telephoning 9-1-1 will bring firefighters to your door.