Milton Courthouse: A Practical Guide for Your Court Date
If you have been charged with a criminal offence in Halton Region, your paperwork almost certainly sends you to the Milton Courthouse at 491 Steeles Avenue East, or in some cases to the smaller courthouse in Burlington. For most people this is their first time dealing with the criminal courts, and the uncertainty is often worse than the day itself. This guide sets out what you can count on: where to go, how to contact the court, what to bring, what happens at a first appearance, and how remote appearances work.
We have kept this guide to information we can confirm. Courthouse routines change, and a guide that guesses at parking rules or courtroom numbers does you no favours. Where something depends on the day or on your particular case, we say so.
Where Is the Milton Courthouse?
The courthouse is at 491 Steeles Avenue East, Milton, Ontario, L9T 1Y7. Both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice sit here. Almost every criminal case in Halton begins in the Ontario Court of Justice. Depending on the charge and, for many indictable offences, the election you make, your trial may be heard in either court.
According to the Ministry of the Attorney General’s listing for the courthouse:
- Court offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Counter service is available Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- The criminal court office can be reached at 905-878-4165.
- The Crown Attorney’s office can be reached at 905-878-7291.
- The Victim/Witness Assistance Program can be reached at 905-878-6292.
The counter hours matter if you need to file something, pay a fine, or ask about a file in person. Arriving at 11:30 a.m. to find the counter closed is a common frustration. The listing shows that the courthouse accepts credit card, debit, cash, cheque, and money order.
The Burlington Courthouse
Some Ontario Court of Justice matters in Halton are heard at the Burlington Courthouse, 2021 Plains Road East, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4M3. It is a satellite location with no Crown Attorney’s office on site. The province lists limited services there and asks visitors to call 905-637-4125 before attending to confirm what is available and the hours of operation.
The rule is simple: go to the courthouse named on your paperwork. Your undertaking, release order, appearance notice, or summons states the courthouse, the date, and the time. If it says Burlington, attend Burlington, not Milton. If you have lost your paperwork or cannot read it, call the court office or a lawyer well before the date.
Who Lays Charges in Halton?
Most criminal charges in Milton, Oakville, Burlington, and Halton Hills (including Georgetown and Acton) are laid by the Halton Regional Police Service. Charges on provincial highways may be laid by the OPP. Whichever service laid the charge, the case is prosecuted by the Crown Attorney’s office and heard in the courts described above.
Getting There and Arriving
Milton sits on Highway 401 west of the GTA. Use the ontario.ca courthouse listing or a map application to plan your route, and check traffic before you leave.
Arrive early. Give yourself enough time to park, clear security screening, and find your courtroom before your matter is scheduled. Being late is not a small problem in criminal court. If your name is called and you are not there, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest, and failing to attend court as required is itself a criminal offence.
Security Screening
Expect to pass through security screening at the entrance, as you would at other Ontario courthouses. Plan for this in your arrival time.
- Do not bring knives, multi-tools, pepper spray, or anything that could be treated as a weapon.
- Keep bags simple. The less you carry, the faster you get through.
- Follow the directions of court security officers.
- Phones should be silenced before you enter a courtroom. Follow any posted rules and the directions of court staff about phone use.
If a bail condition or a no-contact order applies to you, remember that the person you are not allowed to contact may be at the courthouse on the same day. Keep your distance and let your lawyer deal with any issue.
What to Bring
- Your release paperwork (undertaking, release order, or appearance notice) or your summons
- Government-issued photo identification
- Any documents from your lawyer, including correspondence confirming the appearance
- A pen and notepad to write down your next court date
- Something to read. Court lists can be long, and your matter may not be called right away.
Finding Your Courtroom
Once inside, check the posted court lists or ask court staff where your matter is being heard. If you cannot find your name, go to the criminal court office and ask. Do not leave the courthouse on the assumption that your case has been cancelled.
What Happens at a First Appearance
Most people are nervous about their first court date because they expect to be asked whether they are guilty. That is not what a first appearance is for. It is an administrative step. For a full walk-through, see our guide to your first court appearance. In general:
- The Crown provides, or begins providing, disclosure of the evidence against you. Our article on Crown disclosure in Ontario explains what that includes and why it matters.
- If you do not have a lawyer yet, the case is usually adjourned to give you time to retain one.
- No decision is made about guilt or innocence.
- You leave with a next court date. Write it down.
If you have retained a lawyer, your lawyer can often appear on your behalf at early appearances, and you may not need to attend at all. Confirm this with your lawyer before assuming it. Until you have been told otherwise, attend.
If Someone Is in Custody
If a family member or friend has been arrested and held for a bail hearing, the hearing may take place in person or by video. A proposed surety should be ready to explain their relationship to the accused, their plan for supervision, and their own circumstances. Our guide to surety responsibilities explains what the role involves before anyone agrees to take it on.
Virtual Appearances by Zoom
Many appearances in Milton and Burlington now take place by Zoom. Our virtual court directory lists the Zoom links for Milton and Burlington courtrooms, along with courthouses across Ontario. Our Milton location page also shows the Milton links in one place.
A few points about Zoom court:
- Use the courtroom your matter is actually in. If you are not sure, call the court office.
- Treat it like a courtroom. Sit somewhere quiet, be properly dressed, and have your paperwork in front of you.
- Join a few minutes early and keep your microphone muted until you are addressed.
- Do not assume Zoom is allowed. Some appearances require you to attend in person. Your lawyer or the court office can confirm.
Duty Counsel and Legal Aid
If you arrive without a lawyer, ask court staff about duty counsel, lawyers funded by Legal Aid Ontario who can help unrepresented accused people with routine steps such as adjournments and bail. Duty counsel can be a real help on the day, but they are not there to take on your case as your own lawyer. If you are facing a charge that could lead to a criminal record, jail, or a driving prohibition, our article on whether you need a lawyer explains what to consider.
Accessibility
If you need a disability accommodation for your court date, such as an assistive listening device or real-time captioning, contact the accessibility coordinator listed on the ontario.ca page for the courthouse as early as possible. Have your court file number and the date and time of your appearance ready.
Tips for Your Court Date
- Read your paperwork carefully. Confirm the courthouse, date, and time.
- Dress as you would for an important meeting.
- Do not discuss your case in hallways or waiting areas.
- Comply with your release conditions on the way to, at, and from the courthouse. Breaching a condition is a separate charge. See our guide to breach of bail conditions.
- Write down your next date before you leave the courtroom.
How Mor Fisher Can Help
Mor Fisher LLP represents clients charged in Halton Region from our Barrie and Toronto offices. On a new file, we get disclosure moving, confirm whether you need to attend each appearance, and deal with the Crown on your behalf. We also advise on bail, release conditions, and the licence consequences of driving charges. Common matters include impaired driving, domestic assault, theft, fraud, and weapons offences.
If you have a court date in Milton or Burlington, contact Mor Fisher LLP at 705-721-6642 or through our contact page. Getting advice before your first appearance lets you walk in knowing what will happen and what your options are.