How can I get information about my case?

For each criminal case, the Crown prosecutor puts together the disclosure that will be used in the trial. In the disclosure, you should get:

• the Information (the document about the charge),
• the Crown’s initial sentencing position (you’ll need this for your legal aid application),
• a summary of the Crown’s case, and
• statements from witnesses.

The prosecutor puts the disclosure into a package and gives you a copy when you go to court. If you don’t get the disclosure at your first appearance, ask the prosecutor how to get it.

If you want to try to get the disclosure before your first appearance, call the prosecutor’s office (the Crown counsel office) and tell the receptionist that you would like​“the disclosure, including any statements.” Ask for a copy of the Information and the Crown’s initial sentencing position (or ISP). Be sure to mention that you’re going to court without a lawyer. You can also ask for the disclosure by writing an email or letter like the sample in Appendix 3.

If you’ve asked for your trial to take place in French or you plan to do so, you can write to the Crown prosecutor’s office in French and ask for a translation of the disclosure. You may have to ask the judge to order the prosecutor to give you a translation.

If the Crown prosecutor is asking for a jail sentence in their initial sentencing position, re-apply for legal aid. Be sure to tell the legal aid staff that the prosecutor is asking for jail.