1. Ask the Crown for permission
Question & Answer
Can I transfer my case to another court?You may be able to transfer your charges to a different court location.
Summary charges
If you are charged with a , your charges can only be transferred with the permission of the Crown. This is true whether you want to or not guilty.
Indictable charges
If you are charged with an , your charges can also only be transferred with the permission of the Crown. If you don’t think you can get a fair where you were charged, your lawyer can apply for a change of venue application (See Step 3).
Pleading guilty
If you want to plead guilty, the Crown will be more likely to agree to transfer your charges to a different courthouse.
Do not plead guilty to an you did not commit.
Do not plead guilty until you’ve thought carefully about your options, and the Crown’s case against you. Ask a lawyer or to help you understand what might happen if you plead guilty.
You can only plead guilty if no one is pressuring you, and you understand what might happen when you make that plea.
You must also understand that when you plead guilty:
- you’re agreeing with the facts that show a criminal offence occurred
- you’re giving up the right to have the Crown prove the case against you at trial
- the judge does not have to give you the recommended by your lawyer or the Crown
