Justice Process – Not Guilty Plea

If the accused does not admit responsibility, he/she pleads "not guilty".  In this case, a trial date is set or another date will be made for the accused to return to court.

• The accused may attend court several times over the next few months so that the court can monitor the progress of the case.


• The court will make sure the accused gets a lawyer, if the accused wants a lawyer to represent him or her, gets information about the charges against him or her and discuss the possibility of resolving the charge.


• The Crown prosecutor will disclose or give a copy of the evidence (which will include the statement of the complainant) to the accused and his/her lawyer.


• The judge, lawyers and police officers will decide on a date when the trial can occur and set a trial date or a preliminary hearing if one is requested by the Crown or accused.

The victim and other witnesses do not have to be at court.