POA Public Notice - COVID-19
Impact on Provincial Offences Operations Due To COVID-19
Notice Regarding Public and Media Access to Ontario Court of Justice Proceedings during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Revised January 11, 2021
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Court of Justice has introduced new measures to ensure that members of the public and the media continue to have appropriate access to court proceedings and, where possible, court filings, exhibits and audio recordings of court proceedings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation. To help reduce the spread of the virus, courts across the country have restricted in-person public access to courthouses. Proceedings that involve remote appearances have increased. The Ontario Court of Justice recognizes that it is important to uphold the open court principle by ensuring that members of the public can appropriately access, and media representatives can cover, court proceedings.
These measures will remain in place until further notice.
Access to Court Proceedings |
In-person attendance at courthouses continues to be significantly restricted. Physical distancing and other health measures will be strictly enforced in each courtroom and throughout the courthouse. More information about the precautionary health and safety measures at 32 Wall Street, POA courthouse is available on the following website: www.leedsgrenville.com. Many cases will proceed remotely by telephone and/or videoconference either entirely, or in part. Members of the public and media representatives are strongly encouraged to review the details about the scheduling of proceedings in the Ontario Court of Justice, including Provincial Offences Act matters, here. The public and the media are welcome to attend court proceedings, but are advised that some limits may apply because of court orders, legislative provisions and technological limitations. Members of the public and media representatives should take note of the following:
To request information for remote hearing access, please contact the courthouse by email at poacourt@uclg.on.ca using the subject line, “Hearing Access Request” and identifying the case you want to attend. Include your name in the request. The telephone number to this location is: 613-342-2357. If you intend to audio record the proceedings for note-taking purposes, you must include this request in your email. |
Access to Court Dockets |
As a result of recent changes to regular court operations in the Ontario Court of Justice, the Daily Court Lists online service is limited. Please contact local court staff for information about a matter you believe is ongoing that is not shown on the website. Media representatives who wish to inquire about the status of a specific proceeding at 1960 court, may contact poacourt@uclg.on.ca. Please review the Court’s scheduling directives, which provide important information about those matters which are proceeding or subject to adjournments. |
Access to Court Filings and Exhibits |
By reason of public health concerns, in-person attendance at the court house is not encouraged. To request access to court filings and exhibits, please email poacourt@uclg.on.ca, preferably by email, using the subject line, “Court Filings/ Exhibits Access Request”. Existing access policies remain in effect. |
Access to Audio Recordings of Court Proceedings |
By reason of public health concerns, in-person attendance at the court house is not encouraged. To request access to audio recordings of court proceedings, please contact the relevant courthouse, preferably by email, using the subject line, “Audio Recording of Proceeding Access Request”. Email contact information for Ontario courthouses is available here and phone numbers are available here. The existing Policy Regarding Access to Digital Audio Recordings remains in effect. |
Are you interested in trying to reach a resolution with the prosecutor for charge(s)? |
If you are interested in trying to reach a resolution with the prosecutor for this/these charge(s), please call or email the Prosecutor at your earliest convenience.
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