by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Sabine Cadet

Age: “Ageless”

Occupation: Legal coordinator for Head and Hands

Bio: When this charming and merciful Montreal North miss isn’t busy volunteering her time counselling kids on matters spiritual and otherwise at her parish, the Seventh Day Adventist Church in beautiful downtown Laval, PQ, she’s helping them stay out of jail and informing them of their legal rights and responsibilities via her capacity as legal coordinator for West End community group Head and Hands. Working primarily with youth aged 12–25, offering legal advice, setting kids up with legal counsel if necessary and perhaps even accompanying them to court, the wise and benevolent babe wants all to know that Head and Hands is currently and forever on the hunt for volunteers of all shapes and sizes.

What the hell kind of legal services does a 12-year-old need? “Well, honestly, we don’t get that many 12-year-olds coming in, although we do get them. But, for example, perhaps they might want information on the age of sexual consent.”

Is this usually because they’re lusting to have intercourse with the janitor at their school but are concerned said activity might represent something of a legal problem for the object of their affections? “Um, no. I haven’t come across this situation yet.”

How often kids turn to her after being busted for possession of marijuana: Surprisingly, not that often. “Something I deal with a lot are youth who’ve been unfairly ticketed—for things, like, maybe staying too late in the park. Often it’s a matter of racial profiling—these kids aren’t really doing things that are illegal. When we go around visiting schools, one thing we always do is inform kids of what to do when confronted with these types of situations.”

When busted for a questionable minor offence, is it generally wiser to say absolutely nothing until a lawyer arrives, or immediately start spilling the beans through watery eyes and hope the cops will feel sorry for you and not charge you with anything? “No, don’t say too much, or say nothing at all, and wait for your lawyer. You have a right to call a lawyer, and the police know it.”

How poor you have to be in order to qualify for legal aid: Pretty damn poor. “As of January 1, 2007, a single person must have an annual income no greater than $9,695 in order to qualify for legal aid. If they have one child, the maximum they can earn is $13,186. For a couple with two children or more, their maximum allowable income is $18,274. On top of that, you might be required to supply a contribution ranging from $100 to $800. That’s where the lawyers who volunteer at Head and Hands can really help out—they’ll help build your case so if you don’t qualify but still can’t afford to hire a lawyer, you’ll be better able to represent yourself in court.”

Last book read: The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.

Musical preferences: Beethoven, Chopin, Mariah Carey.

Words of wisdom: “Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you.”

Comments? dimwit@hdot.net