A dedicated guide to criminal matters in the Ontario Court of Justice at the John Sopinka Courthouse, with contact details, duty counsel numbers and Zoom courtroom links.
Call for Hamilton criminal court helpHamilton Criminal Court – Ontario Court of Justice
This page focuses on criminal matters in Hamilton at the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ) located in the John Sopinka Courthouse. Use the information below to confirm contact numbers, duty counsel details and virtual appearance information.
Need representation in Hamilton? Call (416) 925-2400What is a Criminal Charge?
A criminal charge alleges that a person has committed an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada or related federal legislation. Convictions can result in a criminal record, fines, probation, driving prohibitions and, in some cases, jail.
Types of Criminal Matters in Hamilton OCJ
First Appearances & Case Management
Most criminal cases begin in the Ontario Court of Justice. You will usually have a first appearance or case management date before anything else happens.
Bail Hearings
If you are held for bail, your show cause hearing is generally in OCJ. You may appear in person, by video or by Zoom depending on the day and courtroom.
Trials & Sentencing
Many summary conviction and some indictable matters are tried and sentenced in the Ontario Court of Justice without a jury.
Virtual Court & Disclosure Tips
- Log in to the virtual courtroom at least 15 minutes early.
- Use your full legal name in Zoom and keep your phone handy.
- Do not record or stream court. Recording is prohibited under the Courts of Justice Act.
- When requesting disclosure, include your name, court date, courtroom and information number.
Hamilton OCJ – Contact Details
The following information is specific to the Ontario Court of Justice (OCJ) criminal courts at the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton, including key phone numbers, Crown contact information and Zoom links.
Hamilton – John Sopinka Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice – Criminal)
Address: 45 Main Street East, Suite 500, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 2B7
General Inquiry (OCJ): 905-645-5252 (ask for Ontario Court of Justice – Criminal)
Criminal – Ontario Court of Justice Office: 905-645-5252 ext. 3871
Trial Co-ordinators (OCJ – Criminal): 905-645-5309
Hamilton Duty Counsel Office (Criminal): 905-528-0387 Ext. 12
Legal Aid Ontario – Hamilton Office: 905-522-5963
Hamilton Provincial Crown (OCJ): Eservice.Hamilton.Crowns@ontario.ca ; 905-645-5262
Hamilton Public Prosecution Service of Canada (Federal Crown): hamilton.disclosure@bellnet.ca ; 289-426-5803. Please leave your name and court date.
Ontario Victim/Witness Services (Hamilton): 905-645-5272
The John Sopinka Courthouse handles adult criminal matters for the Ontario Court of Justice, including bail hearings, set-date and case-management courts, guilty pleas, trials and sentencing.
Always confirm your courtroom number, appearance time and whether your matter is in person or by Zoom using your release paperwork, notice to appear or by checking with duty counsel or your lawyer.
Unless your paperwork lists a different number, you can usually dial in using 1-855-703-8985 (toll-free) and then enter the Meeting ID and Passcode for your courtroom. The links below are for video access.
Meeting ID: 649 4185 1315
Passcode: 876894
Meeting ID: 695 9003 9553
Passcode: 958260
Meeting ID: 643 5607 2786
Passcode: 821024
Meeting ID: 632 1921 7055
Passcode: 663383
Meeting ID: 696 5952 1383
Passcode: 881705
Zoom practice tip: Join early, use your real name (or firm name plus client initials), keep your phone available and never record or stream the proceeding.