Newmarket Criminal Court: York Region Courthouse

Newmarket courthouse entrance, 50 Eagle Street West

Photo: Google Street View (May 2024)

The Newmarket Courthouse hears criminal cases from across York Region, including Newmarket, Aurora, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. What follows covers the practical essentials of attending court there.

At a glance

Address: Newmarket Courthouse, 50 Eagle St. W., Newmarket, ON L3Y 6B1
Criminal court phone: 905-853-4801 (Ontario government listing). The court’s own page lists 905-853-4811.
Email: yorkcrim@ontario.ca
Counter hours: Monday to Friday, 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
Legal Aid Ontario: 1-800-668-8258

Getting there

The courthouse is located on Eagle Street West, just west of Yonge Street. York Region Transit (YRT) and Viva buses serve the nearby Yonge Street corridor. Security screening takes place at the entrance.

Parking

The courthouse has plenty of parking on site.

Your first court date

The first court date, called a “first appearance,” is not a trial. It is heard in a “case management court,” whose role is to monitor the progress of cases and set new dates. Most people may attend in person or by Zoom, unless a judge or justice of the peace orders otherwise. Video is preferred, though a phone connection is acceptable; the details for joining are on your release papers.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Newmarket holds a case management court devoted to domestic violence matters. Anyone facing a domestic charge should check their papers for the assigned day and courtroom.

Bail in Newmarket

York Region bail hearings are held at this courthouse. The person in custody usually joins by video from the police station or jail. Sureties (people who promise the court to supervise an accused) may be present in person or by video unless the court rules otherwise. Bail court video links do not appear on the court’s public page; sureties receive them from the lawyer or from duty counsel, the free Legal Aid lawyers at the courthouse. Further detail is available on Stephanie Heyens’ bail page.

Official Zoom details: Newmarket criminal courts

Courtroom 201 – What it is used for: Adult case management (weekdays), Meeting ID: 620 4109 1566, Passcode: 195284
Courtroom 106 – What it is used for: Domestic violence case management (Tuesdays and Wednesdays); youth case management (Thursdays), Meeting ID: 687 3182 3651, Passcode: 917610
Courtroom JCMC – What it is used for: Judge-led case management (weekdays: 9 a.m. with a lawyer, 2:15 p.m. without), Meeting ID: 630 2806 2797, Passcode: 135874
Courtroom Bail courts – What it is used for: Bail hearings, Meeting ID: Not published, Passcode: Not published

The Ontario Court of Justice publishes these video details, and they are subject to change. Before joining, confirm them against your release papers or the court’s own page. To connect, go to zoom.us/join and enter the meeting ID and passcode; no Zoom account is required. To join by phone, call 1-855-703-8985 (toll-free) and enter the same meeting ID and passcode.

What to bring

Your release papers or court notice
Government photo ID
Any letters from police, the court or the Crown (the prosecutor)
A pen, paper and a list of questions
Glasses, medication and anything else you may need for an extended wait

What to expect on the day

On arrival, consult the court list to locate your courtroom. Waits can be lengthy. Set your phone to silent and dress neatly. When your name is called, move to the front of the courtroom, or unmute yourself if you are on Zoom. If you are not represented, Legal Aid duty counsel may be able to help.

Stephanie appears here regularly

Stephanie appears regularly at the Newmarket Courthouse. She has spent over 25 years defending criminal charges in Ontario, both with Legal Aid Ontario and in her own practice.

Talk to Stephanie. If your case is proceeding in Newmarket, Stephanie can guide you through what lies ahead. Reach her at 416-684-4322 or by email at stephanie@stephanieheyens.ca.