Court Appearances (Provincial Offences)

Court proceedings in the Durham Provincial Offences Court may be held in-person or by Zoom audio/videoconferencing.  Please read your notice carefully.  If you are unsure if your matter is scheduled in-person or by Zoom, please contact the court office for more information.

If your matter is scheduled by Zoom, joining by video is recommended as there is technological limitations when joining by telephone.

Audio/Video Conferencing Connection Details:

To connect by audio or videoconference, follow the directions below:

To Join by Telephone:

• Call (local) 1-647-374-4685 or (toll-free) 1-855-703-8985.  Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode for the courtroom you are to appear in.  If you do not have a participant number, press # to skip.

To Join by Video:

• Go to https://zoom.us/join.  Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode for the courtroom you are to appear in.

A Zoom account is not required to participate in Zoom hearings.  For more information on how to operate Zoom, view the Zoom User Guide for Remote Hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice.  If you wish to download the Zoom application free of charge, visit https://zoom.us/.  User tutorials for Zoom are available at http://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-Video-Tutorials.

If you are disconnected from the court proceeding, immediately try to reconnect using the same Meeting ID and Passcode.  If you are still having issues, please call the main office at 905-668-7711 or toll-free at 1-866-779-8839.

Note: Recording/photographing/live streaming of court proceedings is strictly prohibited.  It is an offence under Section 136 of the Courts of Justice Act, and may constitute contempt of court, to record, photograph, publish or broadcast court proceedings without express permission of the presiding judicial official.  The Protocol Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in Court Proceedings remains in effect.

Regular court etiquette and decorum is expected to be followed in a virtual court environment. To ensure participation in virtual court appearances is as effective as possible, participants should follow the guidelines as outlined below: 

• Avoid using Wi-fi.  Connection using an Ethernet cable will always be faster and more reliable.  If you must use Wi-fi, make sure you're in close range.
• Use a desktop computer or laptop to join.  You can use an iPad or Smartphone to connect to Zoom, but using a desktop computer or laptop allows you to experience more Zoom features.  It is recommended that you install the Zoom application but it is not necessary.
• Join early.  Be prepared to join the court proceeding at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appearance time.  This will allow you time to address any technical issues you may encounter before your court appearance.
• Find a quiet and private space.  If you are participating by videoconferencing, ensure that your background is neutral and appropriate for a court environment. It should not display anything private or offensive.
• Minimize disruptions.  Turn off other devices in your vicinity so you are not distracted.  Turn off notifications and alarms on the device you are using for your court appearance.
• Charge your device or be connected to a power supply.  You want to ensure that your device does not run out of batteries during your court appearance.
• Dress appropriately.  If you are appearing by video, your clothing should be appropriate for a formal court environment.
• If possible, use a headset with a microphone.  This will reduce the amount of background noise and your voice will be clearer and louder.
• Identify yourself.  If you connect with videoconferencing through Zoom, your screen name should be your given name and surname.  Do not use nicknames or short forms.  If you are an observer, rename yourself as Observer prior to joining the court proceedings.
• Indicate your designation if you are a prosecutor or legal representative.  Indicate your designation in your username prior to joining the court proceedings.
• No food or drink.  Please do not eat or drink during your court appearance, however, water is allowed.

More information regarding virtual court proceedings is available on the Ontario Court of Justice website (Guidelines re: Remote Hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice).

• You will be placed in a virtual waiting room until you are admitted by the Clerk.  
• You are to remain muted until you are addressed by the Court or you have been asked to speak.
• If you are joining the courtroom by telephone, pressing *6 will mute/unmute you.
• When addressing the Court, say your first and last name.
• Speak clearly and slowly to make sure everyone can hear you.  Remember to unmute yourself before speaking.  It is important not to speak while others are speaking to avoid cross-talk.
• The Justice of the Peace should be referred to as "Your Worship".
• Wait for your case to be called as there may be multiple cases scheduled at once. 
• You should collect and organize all materials that you require during the proceedings such as a pen and paper, evidence and any other items needed.
• Avoid shuffling papers or making unnecessary noise as this can be distracting.
• If you are having any technical difficulties during your court appearance, such as struggling to see, hear or follow the hearing, let the Court know right away.  If you are participating by video, you can raise your hand by pressing the virtual hand button.  If you are joining by audio, you can press *9 to raise your hand.
• If court is on a recess or break, you can either remain connected to the meeting or reconnect when the recess is over.  If you decide to disconnect from the proceedings, it is your responsibility to reconnect at the time given by the Justice of the Peace.  Failure to reconnect can result in your matter proceeding in your absence.
• Once your matter has been completed, you will be excused by the Justice of the Peace and you are able to leave the proceedings.

If your trial is by Zoom audio/videoconference, it is requested that evidence be uploaded to the court office at least five business days before your scheduled court date.  Materials filed before your hearing are not yet evidence and will not be distributed or shared with an opposing party or judicial officer.  It is the responsibility of the submitting party to present the materials and satisfy the presiding judicial officer that the materials should be admitted as evidence.  

To upload your electronic files, visit the Evidence Upload Portal. 

Please note: PDF files are the preferred file format but .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .png, .tif are also accepted.  If you have a file that is larger than 15MB, contact the court office or email POAexhibits@durham.ca for instructions on how to submit your files.  

Prior to uploading, your electronic files must be named using the following format:

DEFENDANT'S LAST NAME, First Name - File Number - Brief Description of File.  

(Example: DOE, John - 12-1234 - Photograph of Main Street and First Avenue)

If you are unable to file your materials electronically or you need assistance, please contact the court office or email POAexhibits@durham.ca for further instructions. 

Judicial Pre-trial Instructions

If you have a judicial pre-trial, you are required to check-in by Zoom with the clerk at 8:30 a.m. on the day your matter is scheduled.  You will be assigned a timeslot for your pre-trial based on each participant's availability.  Pre-trial timeslots are set in half-hour increments and are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  

Once you have been assigned a timeslot, you are required to rejoin court at that time.  If a participant fails to appear for their assigned time, it is up to the discretion of the Justice of the Peace on how the matter will proceed.  

Pre-trials are currently held in Courtroom #105 by Zoom audio/videoconference.  To join by video, go to www.zoom.us/join.  To join by telephone, call 1-647-374-4685 or (toll-free) 1-855-703-8985.  Once prompted, enter Meeting ID: 2860999105 / Passcode: 2860105.

Note: Pre-trials are closed to the public.  If you are you trying to join the courtroom and you are being kept in the Zoom waiting room, a pre-trial may be in session.  Please be patient as the clerk will admit you once the courtroom is open. 

What should I do if I missed my court date?

If you missed your court date, immediately contact the court office at 905-668-3130 or toll-free at 1-866-779-8839 to inquire about your matter. 

All Provincial Offences Court proceedings are open to the public, subject to judicial direction or order, and with the exception of pre-trials.  If you are interested in observing POA court proceedings, please contact the court office at 905-668-3130, or toll-free at 1-866-779-8839, for the most up-to-date court schedule.  If you are wanting to observe, it is recommended that you connect through videoconference and rename yourself as "Observer" before joining.  Please note that the court will not be accessible during recesses/lunches.  Please see the tab above called "Zoom connection information" for the applicable Meeting IDs and Passcodes.

Audio recording of proceedings is permitted by counsel, paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, court staff, members of the media, and litigants provided it is done solely for note-taking purposes and the presiding judicial officer has been advised before the recording commences. Audio recording of proceedings is also permitted by members of the public provided it is done solely for note-taking purposes and the express permission of the presiding judicial officer is first obtained. These audio recordings cannot be transmitted.

Prosecutor Contact Information

• If you have received a ticket or a summons to attend court for charges laid by the Durham Regional Police (DRPS), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), or the Durham Region Health Department and you wish to speak to a prosecutor, visit Prosecution Services, email prosecutors@durham.ca, or call 905-666-6252.
• If you have been charged by another enforcement agency not listed above and you are needing their contact information, contact the court office at 905-668-3130. 

Please attend our Court Services webpage for more information on how to pay your fine.