Crime Canada
Criminal courts in Canada
Find your courthouse, look up your court date with the official tools of your province, and know what to expect on the day.
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Ontario
Ontario Court of Justice
81 courthousesFind your court date →
British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
39 courthousesFind your court date →
Alberta
Alberta Court of Justice
16 courthousesFind your court date →
Quebec
Court of Québec (Criminal and Penal Division)
Find your court date →
Manitoba
Provincial Court of Manitoba
12 courthousesFind your court date →
Saskatchewan
Provincial Court of Saskatchewan
13 courthousesFind your court date →
Nova Scotia
Provincial Court of Nova Scotia
12 courthousesFind your court date →
New Brunswick
Provincial Court of New Brunswick
8 courthousesFind your court date →
Newfoundland and Labrador
Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
10 courthousesFind your court date →
Prince Edward Island
Provincial Court of Prince Edward Island
Court contacts →
Yukon
Territorial Court of Yukon
Court contacts →
Northwest Territories
Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories
Court contacts →
Nunavut
Nunavut Court of Justice
Court contacts →
Your first court appearance
A first appearance is short. The court confirms who you are, notes whether you have a lawyer and sets the next date. You are not asked to plead guilty or not guilty that day, and the Crown gives you or your lawyer the evidence (disclosure) so you can decide what to do.
What to bring
- Your release papers (undertaking, appearance notice or release order): they show the date, time and courtroom.
- Photo ID.
- Your lawyer’s name and number, if you have one.
- Arrive 30 minutes early: there is a security screening, and the day’s court list is posted at the entrance.
Questions people ask
How do I find my court date?
It is on your release papers. Several provinces also publish court lists online: Daily Court Lists and the case search in Ontario, Court Services Online in British Columbia, the court dockets of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, and the plumitif in Quebec. Otherwise, call the courthouse criminal office.
Which court hears my criminal case?
Almost every case starts in the provincial or territorial court: first appearances, bail and most trials. Jury trials and the most serious offences, such as murder, are heard by the province’s superior court.
Can I get free help at court?
Yes. Legal aid duty counsel help people without a lawyer for free on the day of court. Depending on your income and the charge, legal aid can also pay a lawyer for the whole case.
What happens if I miss my court date?
It is a criminal offence and the judge can issue a warrant for your arrest. Speak to a lawyer right away.
Have a court date coming up?
A criminal defence lawyer can review the evidence, speak for you in court and look for a way to have the charge withdrawn. Tell us what happened and an independent lawyer will contact you. The first consultation is free and confidential.
Prefer to call? +1 778 900 3008
Crime Canada is not a law firm. We pass your request to an independent criminal defence lawyer, who contacts you directly. General information, not legal advice. How this works