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Pre-trials in Criminal Proceedings Before the Ontario Court of Justice
Last Updated: June 12 2026
Question: What’s the difference between a Crown pre-trial and a judicial pre-trial in Ontario criminal court?
Answer: In Ontario criminal cases at the Ontario Court of Justice, a Crown pre-trial is a discussion led by the prosecutor to review disclosure, assess the strength of the case, and explore possible resolutions, while a judicial pre-trial is a meeting with a judge to clarify the issues, discuss evidence and trial readiness, and sometimes encourage settlement without deciding guilt. DefendCharges.Lawyer is a criminal defence Lawyer serving clients across Ontario, helping you prepare for pre-trials, evaluate offers, and move your case forward efficiently, call (647) 977-5997 to get started.
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Pre-trials are an important part of criminal proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice. Pre-trials are used to assess the strength of the Crown’s case and to provide an opportunity for the accused to make an informed decision about how to proceed. Crown pre-trials and judicial pre-trials are two types of pre-trials that are used in criminal proceedings in Ontario.
What is a Crown Pre-Trial
Crown pre-trials are conducted by Crown prosecutors and are used to assess the strength of the Crown’s case. During a Crown pre-trial, the Crown and defence counsel may discuss the evidence and the possible outcomes of the case. The Crown may also make an offer to resolve the matter without a trial. If the accused accepts the offer, the case may be resolved without a trial.
What is a Judicial Pre-Trial
Judicial pre-trials are conducted by a judge and are used to assess the strength of the Crown’s case and to provide an opportunity for the accused to make an informed decision about how to proceed. During a judicial pre-trial, the judge may discuss the evidence and the possible outcomes of the case with both the Crown and defence counsel. The judge may also make suggestions about how the case might be resolved without a trial.
Summary Comment
Both Crown pre-trials and judicial pre-trials are important steps in criminal proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice. Pre-trials provide an opportunity for the Crown and defence counsel to assess the strength of the Crown’s case and to explore possible resolutions without a trial. Pre-trials also provide an opportunity for the accused to make an informed decision about how to proceed. Pre-trials are an important part of criminal proceedings in Ontario and should be taken seriously by all parties involved.