Criminal Court Dates: Superior Court of Justice – During (COVID-19) Coronavirus Pandemic

If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Ontario, Canada, and your Superior Court of Justice Court date or your trial was scheduled between March 17 and June 1, 2020, you do NOT need to attend Court during those dates. Most cases are rescheduled for June 2, 3, or 4, 2020; however, it is your responsibility to find out your new Court date. You may wish to contact the Crown prosecutor or the Court to confirm which new Court date applies to you.

• Most Superior Court of Justice criminal matters previously scheduled between March 19 and March 31, 2020 are rescheduled for June 2, 2020. This date is subject to change given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. You MUST attend Court on the rescheduled date, at 10:00 a.m., in the same location where you were scheduled to attend in March. If you do not attend Court on the new Court date, the judge can order a warrant for your arrest.

• Most Superior Court of Justice criminal matters previously scheduled in April 2020 are rescheduled for June 3, 2020. This date is subject to change, given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. You MUST attend Court on the rescheduled date, at 10:00 a.m., in the same location where you were scheduled to attend in April. If you do not attend Court on the new Court date, the judge can order a warrant for your arrest.

• Most Superior Court of Justice criminal matters previously scheduled for May 2020 are rescheduled for June 4, 2020. This is subject to change, given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. You MUST attend Court on the rescheduled date, at 10:00 a.m., in the same location where you were scheduled to attend in May. If you do not attend Court on the new Court date, the judge can order a warrant for your arrest.

While awaiting your new court date, you MUST follow the terms upon which you were released including any bail conditions, recognizance, or release order. Your court case is still active and you must still comply with all conditions.

For legal help, you may want to contact your lawyer, or a legal aid office. If, on the court date, you do not have your own lawyer, ask to speak to a duty counsel lawyer, who can provide one-time advice or assistance for free.