Ministry of the Attorney General – Office of the Crown Attorney – Peterborough, ON

The Crown Attorney’s Office: Peterborough County Prosecution

The Office of the Crown Attorney in Peterborough is a critical arm of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). Located at 270 George Street North, this office houses the team of prosecutors (Crown Counsel) responsible for the administration of criminal justice within the City and County of Peterborough. Operating under the Criminal Law Division, the Crown Attorney’s primary mandate is to prosecute offences under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and various provincial statutes.

The Role of the Crown in the Justice System

Crown Attorneys are not the victims’ lawyers, nor do they represent the police; they serve the public interest. Their duties are distinct and quasi-judicial:

• Charge Screening: Upon receiving a brief of evidence from police services (such as the Peterborough Police Service or OPP), Crown Attorneys review the file to determine if there is a reasonable prospect of conviction and if prosecution is in the public interest.
• Bail Hearings: The office manages bail proceedings, arguing for the detention of accused individuals where necessary for public safety or flight risk, or negotiating release conditions.
• Trial Prosecution: Assistant Crown Attorneys conduct trials in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice, presenting evidence, examining witnesses, and making legal submissions.
• Plea Resolution: They engage in resolution discussions with defence counsel to resolve matters efficiently, often involving joint submissions on sentencing.

Services and Interaction with the Public

While the office is a legal workspace and not a general public service counter, it interacts with specific groups:

• Victims and Witnesses: The Crown works closely with the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) to ensure victims are informed of court dates and the status of their case. Meetings are often held here to prepare witnesses for testimony.
• Disclosure: The office is responsible for providing ”disclosure” (evidence) to accused persons or their lawyers, ensuring a fair trial.
• Virtual Crown: In response to modernization, the office utilizes a ”Virtual Crown” system (emailing [email protected]) to streamline administrative inquiries and document service.

Strategic Importance

This office is pivotal to the maintenance of law and order in the region. It handles a wide spectrum of cases, from domestic violence and impaired driving to homicides and major fraud. The Crown Attorney also plays an advisory role to the police during complex ongoing investigations, providing legal guidance on search warrants and wiretaps.