Here is my Newmarket OCJ Criminal Court update for April 1, 2020.

In Custody Remote Scheduling 

More planning and communication between counsel,  duty counsel and the trial coordinator is resulting in more productive use of time slots from Central East Corrections. 

Duty counsel has primarily carried the burden on communicating with private counsel to assist with both scheduling matters and, as well, with getting counsel on the phone at the appropriate time.  Duty counsel emails private counsel in advance and has access to counsel phone numbers.  In this regard they have been successful in facilitating counsel audio appearances at the appropriate times, even when off an accused appears off schedule.

Bail Vetting

The crown is attempting to make known as early as possible who will be vetting bails so that positions can be communicated to Duty Counsel and Private counsel. In addition this will assist in timely delivery of surety information and identification to the bail vettor to improve overall efficiency of the bail process.  Early release of the name of the day's bail vettor is important as it changes daily.

Surety Approvals

When sureties attend the courthouse they are directed a desk to fill out a form and send same along with identification to private counsel or duty counsel. They are then asked to wait outside the courtroom to be available when needed for an audio call into court.  There have been communication issues with sureties as bail courts are in the basement where cell reception is poor.  They will now be directed to a better service area, perhaps on the second floor to improve audio communication. 

There is a potential for the court to adopt a bail policy and process dispensing with surety signatures on bail documents.  This matter is under consideration as a formal position is expected shortly.

Same Day Traversals 

There is still difficulty in arranging for a same day traversals and hence is this is generally not available.  Those matters are normally adjourned to the appropriate courtroom the next day to be dealt with. However, if there is for example,  a bail matter scheduled that has just become a time served guilty plea,  and if same can be communicated early enough in the day to the trial coordinator, then an attempt will be made to move the matter to a plea court. This is an exceptional request but efforts will be made to accommodate same.

Sincerely, Norman Panzica, York Director,  Criminal Lawyers Association