Early Resolution and Trials

Trial information

You can attend your court matter in person or online using Zoom, subject to judicial approval.

• Attending court in person

  In-person court appearances are held at 445 East Main St. in Welland.

• Attending court online

  Before attending online court

  Before your meeting, download Zoom and perform a test call to ensure device functionality.

  • Zoom support
  • Best practices for remote hearings

  Make sure the battery to your computer, tablet or phone is fully charged and / or connected to an external power source.

  You are encouraged to log on 15 minutes before your scheduled time to avoid disrupting the court.

  How to submit evidence for online court

  Your evidence (exhibit) must be emailed to the courthouse before your trial.

  For more information, email poainfo@niagararegion.ca or call 905-687-6590, option 3.

  How to join an online courtroom using Zoom

  For scheduled matters, use the link or Meeting ID on your notice or the following applicable courtroom link.

  • Join Courtroom W101 (Zoom Meeting ID: 577 979 5028)
  • Join Courtroom W102 (Zoom Meeting ID: 444 981 0366)
  • Join Courtroom W103 (Zoom Meeting ID: 873 939 2401)
    

  Alternate dial-in option: 1-647-558-0588 (Toronto)

  If you have questions or need to speak to staff about online court, email Provincial Offences Court.

Requesting disclosure

You have the right to obtain disclosure to help you prepare for your trial. Disclosure is all the evidence the prosecution intends to rely on at your trial.

Submit a request for disclosure.

More information

• Digital and video evidence

  You can present digital and video evidence during your trial from the defendant table or from the witness box, as well as from Zoom screen sharing.

  You must provide your own working equipment (laptop or tablet) and the appropriate cables (HDMI or VGA and audio) to connect to our video equipment.

  The court will keep and store any digital or video evidence used during your trial that is marked as an exhibit (evidence).

  Make sure the evidence is on a detachable memory stick or USB drive that you can leave with the court. Evidence will be returned to you after the retention period.

• Rules for online court participation

  Although your court matter is online, expectations and requirements on conduct and professional behaviour in the courtroom is the same as if you were attending the courtroom in person.

  For online court participation:

  • Sign into the Zoom meeting 15 minutes before your court matter to ensure you're ready when your matter is called and to avoid interruptions to the proceedings
  • Your Zoom screen name should be your legal first and last name
  • There will be matters scheduled for the same timeframe. This may result in a waiting period before your matter is spoken to.
  • Before speaking in court, state your name for the record and speak clearly
  • The judiciary should be addressed in the same manner as if you are attending the physical courtroom
  • Ensure your camera is turned on before speaking in the online courtroom during a Zoom trial
  • Join the meeting from a well-lit space and avoid the use of filters or backgrounds
  • Dress appropriately for the formal court environment
  • You may have water during your court proceeding, but no food, beverages, gum chewing or smoking is allowed
  • Join the meeting from a quiet and private area to avoid distractions and ensure privacy
  • Mute your microphone until your matter is called by the court and you must speak. If joining by telephone, pressing *6 will mute and unmute your microphone.
  • Failure to remain muted or any disruptions to court proceedings may result in individuals being removed from the meeting
  • It is ideal to use a headset with a microphone to reduce background noise and improve clarity
  • Cell phone ring volume must be muted
  • Do not carry on conversations while court is in session
  • Close all other applications so you are not distracted or interrupted during the proceeding
  • If joining from a portable device, it should be either fully charged or plugged into an external power source
  • You must be connected to the Internet to use Zoom.
  • If you have technical difficulties during the proceeding, use the "virtual hand" on Zoom. If joining by telephone, pressing *9 will enable your raised hand feature.
  • If you are disconnected from the proceeding, immediately try to rejoin the proceeding. If you're unable to rejoin, call 905-687-6590, option 3.
  • In accordance with Section 136 of the Courts of Justice Act, it's an offence for members of the public to copy, record, publish, broadcast or disseminate any court matter or any portion of it, including a matter that is conducted over videoconference or teleconference without leave of the court. Members of the public and all other persons in the courtroom must comply with the terms of the Protocol on the Use of Electronic Devices in the Courtroom.