This hub covers the full criminal case journey in Ontario, starting with the hours and days right after an arrest — often the most confusing and frightening part of a case. Our narrative guides walk through that early period step by step: what generally happens after an arrest, what to expect at a bail hearing, and what to do if police want to question you. The stage tracker below maps out the entire process from investigation through to sentencing and appeal, and links onward to our Court Process, Evidence & Outcomes hub for the later stages. These guides are meant to sit alongside, not replace, the site's shorter reference pages on specific rights and procedures, which are linked throughout each article and again below.
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What Happens After an Arrest in Ontario?
A comprehensive, narrative walkthrough of custody, booking, and the path to release or a bail hearing.
Bail Hearings in Ontario: What to Expect
A step-by-step look at what actually happens at a bail hearing, from arrival to a release decision.
What Should You Do If Police Want to Question You?
A practical, moment-by-moment guide to responding to police questioning and common pressure tactics.
What Happens After a Charge?
Every criminal case in Ontario generally moves through the same broad stages, though the pace and details vary by case. Select any stage below for a closer look.
- 1Police Investigation
- 2Arrest or Summons
- 3Bail / Release Conditions
- 4First Appearance
- 5Disclosure
- 6Pre-Trial
- 7Resolution or Trial
- 8Sentencing
- 9Record / Appeal
Continue the Journey: Court Process, Evidence & Outcomes
The three guides above cover the arrest-to-bail period in detail. For the next stages — the court process itself, how evidence is handled, and what plea bargaining involves — continue with our Court Process, Evidence & Outcomes hub, which includes:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between this hub and the site's rights and bail pages?
The dedicated pages under Your Rights and Bail and Release are focused reference guides on specific rights and procedures. The guides in this hub take a broader, narrative view of the same period, walking through the full sequence of events as a story and pairing it with practical "what to do next" guidance. The two are designed to complement each other, and each article in this hub links directly to the relevant reference pages.
Are these guides specific to a particular type of criminal charge?
No. These guides describe the general process that can apply across most criminal charges in Ontario, rather than focusing on the details of any specific offence. For charge-specific information, see the relevant page under the site's criminal charges section.
Is this legal advice?
No. Everything in this hub and its articles is general legal information intended to help explain how the process generally works. It is not a substitute for advice from a qualified criminal lawyer about a specific situation.
Where should I start if I am dealing with this right now?
If an arrest has already happened, What Happens After an Arrest in Ontario? is generally the best starting point. If a bail hearing is coming up, go directly to Bail Hearings in Ontario: What to Expect. If police have asked to speak with you or someone you know, see What Should You Do If Police Want to Question You?
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This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Criminal procedure can vary by case, courthouse, and circumstance. Confirm current requirements with a qualified lawyer or an official source before relying on anything here.