Criminal Defence Lawyers in Toronto

Criminal Defence in Toronto

Mor Fisher LLP’s Toronto office is at 439 University Avenue, Suite 1200, open by appointment. It is a short walk from the Toronto courthouse at 10 Armoury Street and the Superior Court at 361 University Avenue. Jeffrey Fisher and William Caven work from the Toronto office, and the rest of the firm’s lawyers appear in Toronto as files require.

If police have contacted you but you haven’t been charged, don’t give a statement. Ask whether they have grounds to arrest you and whether you will be held for bail, then call us. Read should I give a statement to the police?

Where Toronto Criminal Cases Are Heard

Toronto’s criminal courts are now in three places. Older paperwork and websites still mention Old City Hall, but criminal court no longer sits there.

Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street. In 2023, six Ontario Court of Justice criminal courthouses across the city were combined into this building. Adult and youth criminal cases are heard here, from first appearances to trials, along with specialized courts such as mental health, Gladue, drug treatment and youth court.

Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West. It handles all adult bail hearings for Toronto, including weekend and statutory holiday (WASH) bail court.

Superior Court of Justice, 361 University Avenue. More serious cases are tried here: jury trials, murder charges, and cases where the accused elects a Superior Court trial. Bail reviews of detention orders are also heard here.

For directions, security and what to expect on the day, see our Toronto courthouse guide.

How a Toronto Case Moves

Bail. If police hold you, your bail hearing is at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre. A release plan, often with a surety, is prepared before the hearing. If bail is denied, a bail review goes to the Superior Court.

First appearance. Early appearances at 10 Armoury Street are in case management courts, organized by the Toronto Police division that laid the charge. Intimate partner violence, federal and youth matters have their own case management courtrooms. Many of these appearances happen by Zoom; see the courtroom links below. Read your first court appearance.

Disclosure and decisions. Once we have the Crown’s evidence, we review it with you and advise whether the case should be resolved, diverted, or tried. For indictable charges, you may need to choose your mode of trial, which decides whether the case stays at 10 Armoury Street or moves to the Superior Court.

Charges We Defend in Toronto

• Impaired driving and over 80, including drug-impaired driving
• Domestic assault and assault
• Sexual assault
• Drug trafficking and possession
• Firearms and weapons offences
• Robbery, theft and fraud
• Murder and manslaughter
• Bail hearings and reviews and breach of conditions
• Youth charges
• Appeals

Jeffrey Fisher’s practice focuses on complex and lengthy criminal matters, including homicide, sexual assault litigation, dangerous offender proceedings and extradition. William Caven is a trial lawyer who previously practised at a Toronto criminal defence firm.

Virtual Court Appearances (Zoom)

Many appearances at 10 Armoury Street and the Toronto Regional Bail Centre happen by Zoom. Toronto has many courtrooms, so make sure you have the right meeting ID. The Toronto links are below, and our province-wide virtual court directory covers every Ontario courthouse.

Arrested or charged in Toronto? Call 705-721-6642 to book a free consultation at our Toronto office. If someone is in custody now, call 833-527-5369 (toll free).