Toronto Criminal Lawyer

Criminal Courthouses in Toronto

Toronto's criminal court matters are handled at several courthouses spread across the city. Which courthouse your case is assigned to depends primarily on where the alleged offence occurred and what type of proceeding is involved. Understanding which courthouse you need to attend — and planning your visit in advance — can reduce stress and help you arrive prepared on your court date.

The main criminal courthouses serving the City of Toronto are:

• Old City Hall — 60 Queen Street West. Handles provincial offences and certain criminal matters for the downtown core.
• 2201 Finch Avenue West — Serves the Etobicoke and northwest Toronto area. Handles criminal and provincial offences.
• North York Courthouse — 1000 Finch Avenue West. Handles criminal and family court matters for the North York area.
• Scarborough Courthouse — 1911 Eglinton Avenue East. Serves the Scarborough area for criminal proceedings.
• College Park (Bail Court) — 444 Yonge Street. Handles bail hearings, including weekend and after-hours matters.

In addition to these locations, more serious criminal matters — indictable offences tried by judge and jury, or cases that are committed to the Superior Court of Justice — are heard at the Toronto Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue. This courthouse handles the most serious criminal cases, including murder, major drug trafficking, and other indictable offences elected to be tried in Superior Court.

How to Determine Which Courthouse You Need

Your court documents will specify the courthouse where you need to appear. When you are released after an arrest — whether from the police station on an undertaking or from bail court — the release documents will include a date, time, and courthouse location for your first appearance. This information is also on any summons or appearance notice you receive.

If you are unsure which courthouse your case is at, you can:

• Check your release documents, summons, or appearance notice carefully — the courthouse name and address will be listed
• Contact your defence lawyer, who can confirm the location and courtroom number
• Call the courthouse directly or check the Ontario Court of Justice locations page for contact details

Generally, your case will be assigned to the courthouse nearest to where the alleged offence took place. An offence alleged to have occurred in Scarborough will typically be heard at the Scarborough courthouse, while a downtown Toronto matter will be at Old City Hall or another downtown location. Bail hearings for persons held in custody follow their own scheduling and are typically heard at the College Park bail court.

What to Bring to Court

Regardless of which courthouse you are attending, you should bring:

• Your release documents — including any undertaking, recognizance, or appearance notice. These confirm your obligation to attend and the conditions you must follow.
• Government-issued photo identification — a driver's licence or passport is typically sufficient.
• Your lawyer's contact information — in case you need to reach them at the courthouse.
• Any documents your lawyer has asked you to bring — this might include proof of completion of conditions, character references, or employment letters.

Do not bring weapons, sharp objects, or any prohibited items. All Toronto courthouses have security screening at the entrance, similar to airport security. You will need to pass through a metal detector and place bags and personal items through an X-ray scanner. Arriving early — at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appearance — allows time for security and for locating your courtroom.

General Tips for Court Attendance

Attending court for the first time can be a disorienting experience. Courthouses are busy, often crowded, and the procedures may be unfamiliar. Here are some practical tips that apply regardless of which courthouse you are attending:

• Arrive early. Security lines can be long, especially during morning court hours. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your matter is scheduled.
• Check the docket. Court lists or dockets are typically posted near the courtroom entrance or on screens in the courthouse lobby. These lists show which cases are scheduled in each courtroom. Find your name and confirm the courtroom number.
• Check in with duty counsel if unrepresented. If you do not have a lawyer, duty counsel is available at every criminal courthouse in Ontario. Duty counsel are lawyers funded by Legal Aid Ontario who can provide brief legal advice and may be able to assist you at your court appearance. Arrive early to get on the duty counsel list, as they assist people on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Do not discuss your case in public areas. Courthouse hallways, elevators, and waiting areas are not private. Police officers, Crown attorneys, and witnesses may be present. Save all discussions about your case for private conversations with your lawyer.
• Expect to wait. Criminal courts typically schedule many cases on the same morning. Your matter may not be called for several hours. Bring something to read and be patient.

For information about what happens at your court appearance, see our guides on your first court appearance and how bail works in Ontario. If you have questions about the charges you are facing, our criminal charges guides provide detailed information about specific offences and defence options.