If you are being detained by the police and they are asking you questions, or about to ask you questions, you must be given the option to speak to a lawyer before providing answers. You are being detained (held against your will) if you are under the impression that you do not have the option to walk away without speaking with them. If you are unsure whether or not you are being detained, you should ask. If you are not allowed to walk away without answering questions, then you are being detained even if the officer says you are not being detained. Once you are detained the police must give you the option to speak with a lawyer before speaking to them. If you are not given this option, you should demand to speak to a lawyer. You should always take the opportunity to speak to a lawyer first so you can describe your situation and get advice on your rights, and what you should say, if anything, to the police. You have the right to speak to your lawyer of choice. If you do not have a lawyer of choice, or if your lawyer of choice is unavailable, you have the right to speak to a Legal Aid (no cost to you) lawyer. Every situation depends on its circumstances, and you are in a no-lose situation if you take the opportunity to speak to a lawyer. You are not obligated in any way to hire that lawyer for the matter in which you are seeking advice, and you are not obligated to follow his or her advice. For more information on criminal matters, see Criminal Defence.