Do I Need To Attend Court In Manitoba During COVID-19? (January 2021)

Manitoba Court closures as of January 27, 2021.

Time are strange. The Manitoba Courts have been doing what they can to adapt to shifting COVID-19 policies, but that has left people confused and in the dark about their own court dates. Let’s clear that up.

Short Answer

(1) If you have a lawyer, CONTACT YOUR LAWYER TO FIND OUT. The point of a lawyer is to guide you through the court system. This includes the basics, like keeping you in the loop about court dates.

(2) If you do not have a lawyer, feel free to Contact me for a free consultation to find out.

(3) If you do not have a lawyer and do not want a lawyer, read on.

Longer Answer

Criminal charges

• Manitoba Provincial Court

• Winnipeg

  • 1st court appearances and other “regular appearances”

    • Individuals can call in to the court to deal with their matter

      • Call 204-945-3454, give them your court date, and ask for the courtroom telephone information

  • Trials and preliminary inquiries

    • All MULTI-DAY trials and preliminary inquiries set in February and March will proceed

    • All ONE DAY trials and preliminary inquiries set in February and March will be delayed until at least March 31, 2021.

  • Sentencings

    • Sentencings set in February and March will proceed IF the Crown is not seeking jail time AND IF the accused can appear by video or telephone

    • Contact the assigned Crown (204-945-2852) and courthouse (204-945-3454) to confirm

• Rural

  • Please see the following Notice and look for your specific location

• Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench

  • Winnipeg & Rural

    • Judge only

      • As of February 1, 2021, trials set by Judge alone WILL BE PROCEEDING IN PERSON.

    • Judge & Jury

      • Jury trials scheduled between January 11-29, 2021, automatically adjourned to January 29, 2021

      • IT IS CURRENTLY UNCLEAR WHAT IS OCCURING WITH JURY TRIALS FEBRUARY 1, 2021 AND ONWARD

Family court

• Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench

  • Family and Child Protection trials WITHOUT lawyers set between Jan 12 to February 26, 2021

    • Automatically put to rescheduling list on Friday, February 26, 2021

  • Family and Child Protection trials WITH lawyers set between Jan 12 to February 26, 2021

    • Presumed to be proceeding via video conference

373 Broadway – Traffic tickets and other Provincial Offences

• 373 Broadway is ONLY open to people attended for trials already set OR to make a payment

  • If you wish to plead guilty to a ticket, seek a reduction, or fight the offence:

    • 204-945-3156 or toll free 1-800-282- 8069 (ext. 3156)

  • If you received a default conviction notice:

    • 204-945- 3156 or toll free 1-800-282-8069 (ext. 3156)

  • If your ticket is in collections:

    • 204-480-8405

For the most up to date information, please revisit this page and also http://www.manitobacourts.mb.ca/covid-19/

Please note that the above is for informational purposes only and is NOT legal advice. Legal advice can only be properly given by a lawyer who has met with you to discuss the details of your case and your personal circumstances. If you require legal advice, please use the Contact page to arrange for a free consultation.