Criminal Court Process

Bail Conditions in Canada: What Are Bail Conditions and How Do They Work?

People often ask, “What are bail conditions, and how long do they remain in effect?” Bail conditions are legally binding requirements imposed when an accused person is released while a criminal charge is before the court. They may restrict contact,…

Bail Hearing Explained: What to Expect at a Bail Hearing in Canada

If you are thinking, “I have an upcoming bail hearing,” you may be uncertain about what will happen, who will speak, and what the court will decide. A bail hearing is not a trial and does not determine whether an accused person is guilty. It is a…

Disclosure Explained: Understanding Criminal Disclosure in Canada

Criminal disclosure is the information the Crown provides to an accused person so the case can be understood and answered. Someone asking, “What should be in my disclosure?” may receive police notes, witness statements, recordings, photographs,…

My First Court Appearance: What to Expect in Canadian Criminal Court

If you are thinking about my first court appearance, you may be worried that you will have to present evidence, answer questions about the allegation, or begin a trial immediately. In most Canadian criminal cases, the first appearance is brief and…

Character Evidence in a Criminal Trial in Canada

A plain-language explanation of good character, prior convictions, similar-fact evidence and safeguards against unfair prejudice.

Closing Submissions in a Criminal Trial in Canada

A plain-language explanation of final arguments, the burden of proof and what happens before a verdict.

Conditional sentence Canada: Serving a Sentence in the Community

Criminal appeals Canada: Understanding the Appeal Process

Criminal records Canada: What Records Exist and Who May See Them

Criminal Resolution Discussions Canada: Understanding the Process

People searching for criminal resolution discussions Canada may have learned that the Crown and defence are discussing whether a criminal case can be resolved without a trial. Resolution discussions are communications between the prosecutor and…

Cross Examination Criminal Trial Canada: What It Means

People searching for cross examination criminal trial Canada may be preparing for a trial as an accused person, witness or family member. Cross-examination is the questioning of a witness by the opposing party after that witness has given…

Crown Pre-Trial Criminal Court Canada: What to Expect

People searching for Crown pre trial criminal court Canada may have been told that their case needs a meeting with the prosecutor before it can move forward. A Crown pre-trial is generally a discussion between the Crown prosecutor and defence…

Direct Examination Criminal Trial Canada: What It Means

People searching for direct examination criminal trial Canada may be preparing to attend court as an accused person, witness or family member. Direct examination, also called examination-in-chief, is the questioning of a witness by the party…

Expert Witness Criminal Court Canada: What to Expect

People searching for expert witness criminal court Canada may be trying to understand why a specialist is involved, what the specialist is allowed to say, or how the court assesses an opinion. An expert witness can help a judge or jury…

Fresh evidence criminal appeal Canada: Understanding New Evidence on Appeal

Judicial Pre-Trial Canada: What Happens Before Trial

People searching for judicial pre trial Canada may have been told that their criminal case must be discussed with a judge before a trial date is set. A judicial pre-trial is a meeting involving a judge, the Crown prosecutor and defence counsel…

Preliminary Inquiry Canada Criminal Court: What It Means

People searching for preliminary inquiry Canada criminal court may be trying to understand a hearing scheduled before a serious criminal case proceeds to trial. A preliminary inquiry is a judicial hearing used to decide whether the Crown has…

Probation conditions Canada: Understanding Probation Orders

Rules of Evidence Criminal Court Trials Canada: An Overview

People searching for rules of evidence criminal court trials Canada may be trying to understand why some information is heard at trial while other information is excluded. Evidence rules help courts decide what material may be considered, for…

Trial Scheduling Canada Court: How Criminal Trial Dates Are Set

People searching for trial scheduling Canada court may have reached the stage where a criminal case is expected to proceed to trial. Scheduling involves more than selecting an open date. The court and parties must consider the trial estimate,…

Criminal Court Verdicts in Canada: What They Mean

A plain-language guide to guilty and not-guilty verdicts, acquittals, mistrials, special verdicts and other court outcomes.

Criminal Sentencing Canada Guide: What Happens After a Guilty Finding

A plain-language overview of sentencing principles, hearings, reports, sentence types and the roles of the court, victims and counsel.

Judge vs. Jury Trials in Canada: Understanding the Difference

People searching for Judge vs jury trials in Canada may be facing an important procedural decision in a criminal case. In both types of trial, the Crown must prove every essential element of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt, and the…

Supreme Court of Canada criminal appeal: Leave and Appeals as of Right