Domestic incidents in York Region are on the rise with COVID-19 forcing people to spend more time inside, police say. Nevertheless, you still have to STFH.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/york-region-crime-statisitics-covid-19-1.5519062
NEWMARKET COURTHOUSE CLOSURE – April 3, 2020
The Newmarket Courthouse is closed today. The Newmarket Courthouse has been closed today to address cleaning and air quality concerns. The courthouse will remain closed until an enhanced cleaning can be completed.
On April 2nd, 2020, the ministry was advised that an individual, who works in the courthouse and last worked on March 31, 2020, began to feel ill at work. The individual has not returned since and was advised by Public Health to self-isolate.
Although the Newmarket courthouse receives enhanced cleaning on a regular basis, the courthouse is closed to permit a thorough cleaning to be completed. The courthouse will remain closed until confirmation of both appropriate cleaning and air quality is provided. The Ministry is being asked to assist in this verification.
Signs are posted on the building with alternative court locations and contact email information. Court services available by email.
As usual, and particularly today, patience from all is requested. There were incredible and significant efforts employed overnight to shift facilities and resources to permit a functioning and available court process for today.
COVID-19 EFFECTS – Some crimes are up but overall crime is down.
FINGERPRINTS IN YORK REGION – News as of April 2/20
We are directed: “Anyone with an existing fingerprint date at the courthouse is still not required to attend. With respect to new matters fingerprints are being taken at 2 District and not at the courthouse.”
COURTS SHUT DOWN AND TRY TO ADAPT. A TSUNAMI OF CASES IS COMING.
“Courts across the country have reduced their services to hearings on urgent and emergency matters. Nothing’s really normal right now. many fear that the bottleneck being created by pandemic-driven postponements and cancellations will have a cascade effect on an already overburdened system, leaving lawyers and judges with an unworkable quagmire once courthouses themselves return to full service.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stefanovich-covid19-exposes-court-shortcomings-1.5502077
PRISON MANAGEMENT AND PRISONER RELEASE
In Canada, 1,000 inmates in the state of Ontario were released last week and lawyers are working with prosecutors to free many more from provincial jails by accelerating bail hearings, among other steps.
There are silver linings.
A PHYSICAL or VIRTUAL COURT? – The accused is entitled and required to be in court during the trial. Perhaps we have to redefine our definition of “court”.
WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY
Lawyers, Legal and Justice System Professional services are essential businesses.
(Just like the LCBO. And the OCS.)