Court Information
Gateway Regional Victim Services provides information to victims regarding the Criminal Justice System and the status of their particular case, court proceedings and court dispositions.
Gateway Regional Victim Services will contact victims to provide the date of the first appearance and again if a trial date is set.
Victims are welcome to contact our office at any time and we can provide you with a court update.
In cases where charges are laid and court appearance becomes necessary, Gateway Regional Victim Services may contact you and offer court preparation and/or court accompaniment.
Gateway Regional Victim Services provides information to victims regarding the Criminal Justice System and the status of their particular case, court proceedings and court dispositions.
Gateway Regional Victim Services will contact victims to provide the date of the first appearance and again if a trial date is set.
Victims are welcome to contact our office at any time and we can provide you with a court update.
In cases where charges are laid and court appearance becomes necessary, Gateway Regional Victim Services may contact you and offer court preparation and/or court accompaniment.
The following are some important facts regarding court:
- Police lay a charge when there is "reasonable or probable" grounds
- Civilians do not lay the charge therefore they can not withdraw the charge
- The early stage of "Election and Plea" can go on for several months for various reasons
- A Preliminary Hearing is an opportunity for the Crown to present some evidence to a judge who will determine if there is sufficient evidence to set the case down for trial. The accused can waive the Preliminary Hearing.
- The victim will receive a subpoena if/when they are required for court
- Those who receive a subpoena must attend court to testify, failure to do so may result in a witness warrant
- It is common for a victim to meet the crown for the first time just prior to court
- The Crown Prosecutor is NOT the victim's personal lawyer, rather he/she is the lawyer for "society" representing the victim's best interest as well as society as a whole
