Bail Hearings in Ontario – Criminal Defence Lawyers
Is Your Loved One in Custody?
We Fight to Get Bail Fast — and Keep Them Out.
At Law Booth, we understand that freedom before trial is everything. A strong bail hearing is your first — and often most important — step in defending any criminal charge. Whether your family member is in custody or you're preparing for a show cause hearing, our experienced criminal defence lawyers are ready 24/7.
What Is A Bail Hearing?
You may be held for a hearing if:
The charge is serious (assault, weapons, sexual offences, drug trafficking)
You have a prior record
You were on probation or bail already
Police believe you're a flight risk or risk to the public
A bail hearing is often held within 24–72 hours of arrest, and the Crown may oppose your release.
A bail hearing (also called a judicial interim release hearing) determines if someone accused of a crime will be released from custody while awaiting trial.
THE BAIL HEARING PROCESS
We prepare and represent clients in every stage:
Initial Arrest & Intake
Crown Pre-Trial Discussions
Bail Plan Development (sureties, address, conditions)
Court Hearing (Show Cause Hearing)
Decision – Granted or Denied
If bail is granted, you may face strict terms, including:
Surety supervision (someone who pledges to monitor you)
Curfew or house arrest
No contact orders (including family or partners)
No possession of weapons or alcohol
Stay-away orders from specific locations
Mandatory check-ins or electronic monitoring
We help craft reasonable bail plans that increase your chance of release and allow you to maintain work, family, or school responsibilities.
HOW WE WIN BAIL HEARING
At Law Booth, we bring over 15 years of courtroom strategy to your defence. We handle:
✅ Crown pre-trial negotiations to secure consent release
✅ Strong surety preparation and questioning
✅ Custom bail plans tailored to the case
✅ Risk analysis arguments (flight risk, public safety)
✅ Challenging reverse onus situations
✅ Bail variation and bail review applications
Whether you're facing your first charge or you're on a second bail breach, we act fast and fight hard to get you home.
What Happens If Bail Is Denied?
If you’re denied bail, you’ll stay in custody until:
Your trial (which may be months away), or
You file for a bail review in the Superior Court
We help clients appeal bail denials through bail reviews, preparing persuasive materials and arguing in higher court for your releas
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BAIL HEARING
Q1: What is a surety, and who can be one?
A surety is someone who promises the court to supervise you while on bail. They must be:
18+ and a Canadian citizen or PR
Have no criminal record
Financially stable (must pledge money to the court)
Willing to report any breaches
Q2: What is a “reverse onus” bail hearing?
In most bail hearings, the Crown must justify detention. In a reverse onus case (e.g., for trafficking, firearms, or breach of bail), you must prove why you should be released. These are harder to win but not impossible with the right plan.
Q3: How long does a bail hearing take?
Simple hearings can take 30–60 minutes. More complex cases (with multiple charges or contested release) can take half a day or more. Sometimes they’re adjourned and heard the next day.
Q4: Can bail conditions be changed after I’m released?
Yes. We can apply for a bail variation through the Crown’s office or by court motion. Common changes include removing no-contact orders, curfew changes, or allowing travel for work.
Q5: What happens if I breach my bail conditions?
You can be re-arrested, charged with Fail to Comply, and potentially lose your surety or be denied bail a second time. We help clients fight breach charges and negotiate new release terms.
Q6: Can someone be released without a surety?
Yes — in some cases, a non-surety bail (self-recognizance) is possible. This depends on the charge, history, and level of risk. We help argue for this option when suitable.