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The Charter, Section 13: Self-Crimination
Last Updated: July 01 2026
Question: Can a criminal charge be dropped or evidence be excluded in Ontario if police or prosecutors infringed your right to remain silent?
Answer: Yes, it can be possible when your right against self-incrimination is violated, which may lead to a stay of proceedings or the exclusion of evidence so it cannot be used against you at trial. If you think your silence was improperly used against you, DefendCharges.Lawyer (Lawyer) can review the facts of your case, assess Charter Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and explain practical next steps to protect your rights in Ontario, with a no-cost half-hour consultation at (647) 977-5997.
Is it possible to have a criminal charge stayed or evidence excluded from a trial due to a breach on an accused's right to be protected from self-crimination?
Yes, it is possible to have a criminal charge stayed or evidence excluded from a trial due to a breach on an accused's right to be secure from self-crimination
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right of an accused person to remain silent during a criminal trial. This right is commonly known as the right against self-incrimination. It is a fundamental right that is protected by the Charter and is essential for a fair and just trial. The right against self-incrimination is based on the principle that an accused person should not be forced to incriminate themselves. This means that the accused cannot be compelled to answer questions or provide evidence against themselves in a criminal trial. This right is also known as the right to silence. The right against self-incrimination is a fundamental right that is protected by the Charter.
Right to Remain Silent
This right is often misunderstood by the public, who may think that an accused person is required to answer questions or provide evidence against themselves in a criminal trial. This is not the case. The accused person has the right to remain silent and cannot be compelled to answer questions or provide evidence against themselves. The right against self-incrimination is an important protection for an accused person. It ensures that the accused person is not forced to incriminate themselves and that their rights are respected. This right is essential for a fair and just trial. The right against self-incrimination is not absolute. In certain circumstances, the accused person may be compelled to answer questions or provide evidence against themselves. For example, in a criminal trial, the accused person may be required to testify if they are the only witness to a crime. In these cases, the accused person must be informed of their right to remain silent and the court must consider any potential prejudice to the accused before allowing them to testify.
The Law
As per The Constitution Act, 1982, Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (UK), 1982, Chapter 11, a constitutional right not to have any incriminating evidence given as a witness used against a person, with the exception of perjury, is mandated within section 13 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which reads:
Self-crimination
(13) A witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence so given used to incriminate that witness in any other proceedings, except in a prosecution for perjury or for the giving of contradictory evidence.