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Hamilton–Wentworth
Hamilton criminal defence lawyers.
Charged in Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas or Ancaster? Most appearances are virtual, in Courtroom 204.
John Sopinka Courthouse · 45 Main Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B7
Recognized by
The lawyers at Daniel Brown Law have defended people at Hamilton court on charges from impaired driving and domestic assault to sexual offences and homicide. The firm is named one of Canada's Best Law Firms by The Globe and Mail, a Top Criminal Law Boutique by Canadian Lawyer Magazine, and ranked Tier 1 in Canada for criminal defence and appellate law by Best Law Firms. Five of its lawyers are listed in The Best Lawyers in Canada for criminal defence and four more are named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2027, and it is a frequent winner of the Toronto Star Readers' Choice Awards.
Hamilton courthouse
Criminal matters in Hamilton are heard at the John Sopinka Courthouse.
| Address | 45 Main Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B7 Get directions |
|---|---|
| Provincial Crown | 905-645-5262[email protected] |
| Federal Crown | 289-426-5803Public Prosecution Service of Canada — drug charges are prosecuted federally. [email protected] |
| Duty counsel | 905-528-0387Legal Aid Ontario, extension 12 — free advice on your first appearance |
Where and when you appear
Most appearances in Hamilton are virtual. These are the courtrooms a Hamilton case moves through.
| Courtroom | Who appears | When | Join |
|---|---|---|---|
| 204Adult case management | Adults, all chargesMonday A–E, Tuesday F–N, Wednesday federal, Thursday O–Z, Friday domestic | Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m. counsel 1:15 p.m. duty counsel | Zoom ID 643 5607 2786 Passcode 821024 |
| 326Overnight arrests | Anyone held overnight; video remandsOvernight arrests at 9:30 a.m., video remands at 1:30 p.m. | Mon–Fri all day | Zoom ID 696 5952 1383 Passcode 881705 |
| 300Domestic & youth | Adult domestic and youth mattersAdult domestic 9:00 a.m., youth 1:45 p.m., youth duty counsel 2:30 p.m. | Fridays | Zoom ID 656 2070 8919 Passcode 058344 |
| 306Plea court | In-custody and out-of-custody guilty pleasFor entering a plea once the case has been resolved | As scheduled | Zoom ID 617 2166 4607 Passcode 890671 |
Join by telephone on 1-855-703-8985. Court schedules change — confirm your courtroom and time on the notice you were given.
What happens next
Nothing is decided at a first appearance. This is the order a Hamilton case actually moves in.
First appearance
The court confirms you have counsel and sets the next date. Your lawyer can appear for you, so you do not need to attend.
Disclosure
The Crown provides its evidence. Your lawyer reviews it, identifies what is missing, and assesses how strong the case against you actually is.
Crown and judicial pre-trial
Counsel meets the Crown, and then a judge, to narrow the issues and test whether the case resolves or goes to trial.
Resolution or trial
Either a negotiated outcome, or a trial date with a preliminary hearing where one is available. Most cases end well before this point.
Charges we defend
- s. 266Assault
- s. 515Bail hearings
- s. 679Bail pending appeal
- —Coercive control
- s. 675Criminal appeals
- s. 264Criminal harassment
- s. 320.13Dangerous driving
- s. 162.1Distributing an intimate image
- s. 266Domestic assault
- CDSA 4Drug possession
- CDSA 5Drug trafficking
- —Extradition
- s. 145Fail to appear at court
- s. 145Fail to comply with bail
- s. 320.16Failing to remain at the scene
- ss. 91–95Firearm and weapon possession
- s. 279Forcible confinement
- s. 380Fraud
- s. 320.14Impaired driving
- CDSA 6Importing drugs
- s. 430Mischief
- ss. 229–236Murder and manslaughter
- s. 129Obstruct police
- s. 810Peace bonds
- s. 140Public mischief
- s. 320.15Refusing a breath sample
- ss. 343–344Robbery
- s. 271Sexual assault
- s. 153Sexual exploitation
- s. 334Theft and shoplifting
- s. 264.1Uttering threats
- s. 162Voyeurism
- YCJAYoung offenders
Charged with something you can’t see here?
Contact us Call 416-297-7200Frequently asked questions
Where is the Hamilton courthouse?
Most Hamilton criminal cases are heard at the John Sopinka Courthouse at 45 Main Street East, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B7. Both Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice matters are heard at this building.
What should I do if I have been charged by Hamilton Police?
Do not speak to police beyond identifying yourself. Anything you say can be used against you at trial. Retain a criminal defence lawyer before your first appearance so disclosure can be reviewed and a strategy chosen.
Does Daniel Brown Law represent clients at Hamilton court?
Yes. The lawyers at Daniel Brown Law travel to the John Sopinka Courthouse for impaired driving, assault, domestic assault, sexual offences, weapons charges, drug offences, fraud, and homicide cases.
Does having a lawyer at a bail hearing in Hamilton matter?
It often makes the difference between release and detention. A contested bail hearing requires counsel to address the Crown's position, propose a release plan, and call sureties where needed.
What happens at a first appearance in Hamilton?
Nothing is decided at a first appearance. The court confirms you have counsel and sets the next date so disclosure can be reviewed. Your lawyer can appear on your behalf so you do not need to attend in person.
Hamilton court
Charged in Hamilton–Wentworth?
If you have a court date at the John Sopinka Courthouse, or have been arrested by Hamilton Police, speak to a lawyer before your first appearance.
Available 24/7 · Toll free 1-866-243-6161 · Send us a message