Toronto Courthouse Guide for Criminal Charges
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The short answer
Adult criminal cases from across the City of Toronto, including Etobicoke, are generally heard at the Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street. The building opened in 2023 and brought together several Ontario Court of Justice criminal courthouses from across the city into one location. Many early court appearances are now held virtually, so your first step is to read your court papers carefully and confirm whether you must attend in person, by video or by phone.
Charged with a criminal offence?
Courthouse details
- Address: 10 Armoury Street, Toronto, ON M7A 0B9, near University Avenue and Dundas Street West.
- Courthouse office: (416) 212-2701 or 10Armoury.OCJ.courts@ontario.ca.
- Provincial Crown main line: (416) 212-2707.
- Public Prosecution Service of Canada: (416) 506-0539.
- Virtual court line: 1-855-703-8985.
The Ontario Court of Justice directs people to the Ministry of the Attorney General's court locations website for office and service hours. Check those hours before you travel, because they can change.
Which communities and charges are heard here
The Ontario Court of Justice describes the Toronto Courthouse as a building that combined several criminal courthouses from across the city and serves adult Torontonians. Daily case management court is organized by Toronto Police divisions, and the West list includes the divisions that cover Etobicoke. If you were charged in downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough or Etobicoke, your adult criminal case will likely be managed here, although some matters may be scheduled at other Toronto court locations. Your court papers are the final word on where you must appear.
The courthouse also includes specialized courts, such as mental health court, drug treatment court and youth courts. See our criminal lawyer in Toronto and criminal lawyer in Etobicoke pages for local help.
Common charges heard here
The Toronto Courthouse hears every kind of adult criminal charge that starts in the Ontario Court of Justice. Some of the most common include assault, domestic assault, impaired driving and refusal, theft, drug offences and charges that may resolve with a peace bond. Charges against young people follow the separate rules described on our youth criminal justice page.
Your first appearance
Your first court date is usually an appearance in case management court, sometimes called set date court. It is not a trial, and no one decides whether you are guilty on that day. According to the court's location page, the daily adult case management court for the West divisions begins at 9:00 a.m., with first appearances and people without lawyers dealt with from 2:00 p.m.
A lawyer can usually appear for you by filing a designation, which is a document that lets the lawyer act on your behalf. If you do not have a lawyer yet, attend as your papers direct, bring your release documents and any letters you have received, and ask for time to get legal advice.
Getting your disclosure
Disclosure is the evidence the police and prosecutor have gathered, such as police notes, video and witness statements. You need it before you can make any decision about your case. For most Criminal Code charges, disclosure comes from the provincial Crown Attorney. For federal drug charges, it comes from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. If you have a lawyer, the lawyer requests and reviews the disclosure for you.
Bail hearings in Toronto
If police hold you after an arrest, you must generally be brought before a justice within 24 hours. A bail hearing decides whether you are released while your case continues, and on what conditions. Some charges carry a reverse onus, which means you must show why you should be released. Learn more about bail hearings, what a bail hearing is, show cause hearings and bail sureties.
Duty counsel and Legal Aid
Duty counsel are Legal Aid Ontario lawyers who give free, limited help at court. The Toronto Duty Counsel Office can be reached at (416) 646-1286 or TOCrimDC@lao.on.ca. Duty counsel cannot usually take on your whole case, so it is wise to contact a lawyer well before your court date. To apply for a legal aid certificate, call Legal Aid Ontario toll free at 1-800-668-8258, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How a case moves through the Toronto Courthouse
- First appearance: Your case is called in case management court, and your lawyer files a designation and asks for disclosure.
- Crown pre-trial: Your lawyer meets with the prosecutor to discuss the evidence and any possible resolution.
- Judicial pre-trial: For more serious or longer cases, a judge meets with both lawyers to narrow the issues and set a realistic schedule.
- Resolution or trial: The case ends with a withdrawal, a peace bond, a plea or a trial.
Most cases take several months, and serious cases can take longer. Each appearance matters, so missing a court date can lead to a warrant for your arrest and a new charge.
Youth court
Young people aged 12 to 17 are dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which focuses on rehabilitation and limits who can see youth records. Youth courts are among the specialized courts at the Toronto Courthouse, and the court lists a separate duty counsel option for youth. Parents should read the young person's papers closely and contact a lawyer early. See our youth criminal justice page.
Language and accessibility
You have the right to a trial in English or French under s. 530 of the Criminal Code, and you have the right to an interpreter if you do not understand the language of the proceedings. If you need an accommodation because of a disability, contact the courthouse office as early as possible so arrangements can be made before your court date.
What to do before your court date
- Read your release papers and note every date, time and condition.
- Confirm whether your appearance is in person, by video or by phone.
- Contact a lawyer so a designation can be filed before your first date.
- Follow every release condition, including any no-contact condition.
- Plan your travel and arrive early if you must attend in person.
How we can help
We can file a designation so you may not need to attend early dates, obtain and review your disclosure and prepare for bail or trial at the Toronto Courthouse. Call (647) 223-1980 for a free consultation. We accept Legal Aid Ontario certificates. Consultations in English, Punjabi and Hindi.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the criminal court in Toronto?
Adult criminal cases are generally heard at the Toronto Courthouse, 10 Armoury Street, near University Avenue and Dundas Street West. Your court papers confirm your exact location.
Are Etobicoke criminal cases heard at 10 Armoury Street?
Etobicoke is part of the City of Toronto, and adult criminal cases from the West divisions are managed at the Toronto Courthouse. Check your papers, because some matters may be scheduled elsewhere.
Do I have to go to court in person?
Many early appearances are held virtually, and a lawyer can often appear for you. Your papers will say how you must attend, so read them carefully.
Is there duty counsel at the Toronto Courthouse?
Duty counsel are available and can be reached at (416) 646-1286. They give limited free help, so contact a lawyer for ongoing representation.
Who prosecutes my case in Toronto?
The provincial Crown prosecutes most Criminal Code charges, while the Public Prosecution Service of Canada prosecutes federal drug charges.
What happens if I miss my court date?
A judge can issue a warrant for your arrest, and failing to attend is a separate criminal offence. Contact a lawyer right away if you have missed a date.