Guelph Criminal Defence Lawyer | Perrin Valli

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Covid-19 Guelph Criminal Court Updates

During the pandemic, Guelph criminal courts have taken measures to be able to continue while trying to reduce the risk to those participating.

As with everything during the pandemic, things are continually changing and you should contact the local courthouse for the most up-to-date information.

The Ontario Court of Justice’s “Notices and and Info about Criminal Proceedings” during the Covid-19 pandemic can be accessed here.

Information provided by the Court on how to appear before the “Virtual Courts” in Guelph (meaning by Zoom and/or telephone) can be found here.

As of today, here are some important information for easy reference:

OCJ Local Contact Information

Guelph Duty Counsel office: dc.guelph@lao.on.ca 

Provincial Crown:  guelphcrownattorney@ontario.ca or 519-562-1970 or 519-822-1031

Public Prosecution Service of Canada: ppscwellingtoncounty@gmail.com or 519-240-2348

Guelph courthouse: Guelph.OCJ.courts@ontario.ca or 519-826-4431

Guelph OCJ trial coordinator: Guelph.OCJ.Criminal.TrialCoordinator@ontario.ca

Guelph John Howard Society Bail Program:

Virtual Court Connection Details

Adult Case Management Court or “Assignment Court”:

  • Takes place on Tuesdays (A-K) and Fridays (L-Z)

  • To join by video conferencing (through Zoom) - press here.

  • To join by telephone (through Zoom) - dial 1-855-703-8985 and enter “Meeting ID: 670 9449 4452” and “Passcode: 081565”

  • There is no sign-up sheet for Assignment Court. However, there is a general schedule as follows:

    • 9 am - Lawyers to appear for their clients

    • 10 am - Agents and Paralegals to appear for their clients

    • 11:15 am - Morning Break

    • 11:30 am - Self-represented persons.

    • 1:00 pm - Lunch break

    • 2 pm - Duty counsel matters with remaining self-represented persons.

Youth Court or “Youth Assignment Court”

  • Takes place on Wednesdays at 9 am.

  • To join by video conferencing (through Zoom) - press here.

  • To join by telephone (through Zoom) - dial 1-855 703 8985 and enter “Meeting ID: 634 2710 1935” and “Passcode: 740283”

Guelph Bail Court

  • Takes place Monday through Friday commencing at 8:30 am

  • Proceeding by teleconference only at this time.

  • Bail hearings scheduled in advance are provided specific time-slots by the trial coordinator sometime during the afternoon proceeding the hearing. For the daily schedule, contact the trial coordinator here.

  • Persons appearing in bail court for the first time after arrest are addressed at times determined by the presiding Justice of the Peace.

  • If you are attempting to present yourself as a surety for someone who has just been arrested, contact the Duty Counsel here.

  • To join the court by telephone, dial 1-866-633-1033 and enter Pin “2590027”