News Release

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2008

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McGuinty Government Targeting Criminal Court Delay

NEWS

Ontario is moving forward with its Justice on Target strategy by asking some of the best minds in the field of criminal justice to provide advice on how to move cases through the justice system faster.

The Justice on Target strategy, launched June 3, 2008, sets targets to reduce the provincial average of days and court appearances needed to complete a criminal charge by 30 per cent over the next four years.

Members of the Expert Advisory Panel will provide advice in their field of expertise to help the Justice on Target strategy leaders and their team meet the targets. The panel is made up of:

• The Honourable Peter D. Griffiths, Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice
• Chief Ian Davidson, Greater Sudbury Police Service
• Joseph Di Luca, Criminal Defense Lawyer
• Professor Anthony N. Doob, Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto
• George Thomson, Senior Director, National Judicial Institute
• Bob Ward, CEO of Legal Aid Ontario
• Lynne Wagner, Director of Court Operations for Central East Region
• Mike Conry, Director, Management and Operational Support, Correctional Services

QUOTE

“We’re getting the best advice from all justice partners to target criminal court delays,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley.  “We have assembled a team of authorities in several areas of criminal justice and I am looking forward to hearing their perspectives as we move toward faster, focused justice.”

QUICK FACTS

• With 600,000 charges entering the system every year, saving one minute per charge could save seven years of court time.
• In 1992, it took an average of 4.3 court appearances to complete a criminal case.  By last year, this figure had more than doubled to 9.2 appearances.
• In 1992, cases were in the system for an average of 115 days.  By last year, the number had jumped to 205 days.

LEARN MORE

Read more about the strategy and see the impact on courthouses in your local community.

View criminal court statistics, which have been made available to the public for the first time through Justice on Target.

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