Criminal matters involving serious criminal charges are often tried in the General Division of the Supreme Court. All criminal jury trials are held in the Supreme Court, although some criminal cases will be heard before a judge sitting alone. Other criminal matters may instead be heard in the Provincial Court.
Process Overview
The diagram below offers an overview of the stages in a criminal case.
The Criminal Law Handbook for Self-Represented Accused, prepared by the Canadian Judicial Council, provides information on the criminal trial process. The Court highly recommends consulting this reference if you are self-represented.
Relevant Statutes
Criminal matters are dealt with in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada, and the rules and practice directives listed below. Other legislative documents that are commonly cited in criminal proceedings include:
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Rules of Procedure
The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, pursuant to subsection 482(1) and subsection 482.1(1) of the Criminal Code, has enacted the following rules governing criminal proceedings:
Criminal Proceedings Rules of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
Practice Directives
The following Practice Directives currently apply to criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Variation of Release Order (P.D. (Crim.) No. 2024-01)
Judicial Interim Release Form (RE: P.D. (Crim.) No. 2024-01)
Detention Review Hearings Pursuant to s.525 of the Criminal Code (P.D. (Crim.) No. 2019-01)
Publication Ban Orders – Forms (P.D. No. 2018-02)
Pre-Trial Management of Criminal Proceedings (P.D. (Crim.) No. 2018-01)
Jury Trials (Criminal) (P.N. (TD) No. 2002-03)
Forms
The Criminal Proceedings Rules of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador prescribe the following forms. Rule 1.03(3) provides that these forms shall be used where applicable and with such modifications as the circumstances require.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
*All original signatures must be in BLUE INK.
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