Does the crown ever drop criminal charges?

By Last Updated: March 16, 2022

courtroom criminal charges

Where criminal proceedings have been initiated against you, there are two ways that the Crown Prosecutor can stop the proceedings against you:

1. The Crown Prosecutor can stay the proceedings: 

The Crown Prosecutor can halt proceedings against you by telling the clerk that a stay will be entered. This means that the Crown Prosecutor will not continue to pursue your charges. However, the Crown Prosecutor has the power to recommence the proceedings within one year of the entry of the stay by filing a notice of recommencement with the clerk.

2. The Crown Prosecutor can withdraw the information:

The Crown Prosecutor can also halt a criminal proceeding by withdrawing the Information that was laid in order to charge you with the alleged offence. If this is done prior to a plea, the Crown Prosecutor may do so without leave of the court. However, once a plea has been entered, the Crown Prosecutor must request leave of the court to withdraw the information.

For specific information regarding your case, please select the location that’s closest to you.

About The Author

Michael Oykhman

Managing Partner

Michael Oykhman is a senior lawyer and founder of Strategic Criminal Defence, a full-service criminal law firm with central law offices across Western Canada and Ontario.

My professional experience consists of countless court appearances and thousands of successful defences and satisfied clients. Over the last 10 years, I have worked to build a law office where all the lawyers share our collective experience, resources, and passion to help people. Our team approach to legal representation is client–rather than only law–centred. We look for opportunities to add value to our clients through strategic thinking and creative solutions.

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