i.
What the charge means
Section 175 requires both the underlying conduct and an externally manifested disturbance to a third party — not merely an annoyance.
Criminal Code s.175
Cause Disturbance charges in Toronto, Ontario.
Quick Answer — Toronto
Point Duty defends cause disturbance charges under Criminal Code s.175 — fighting, shouting, swearing, or obstructing people in or near a public place. It is a summary conviction offence carrying up to two years less a day and a criminal record. A licensed paralegal can act; these files frequently resolve by peace bond, diversion, or withdrawal.
Toronto's Armoury Street courthouse does not see many cause disturbance charges — it is more a nuisance to police, who are likelier to give someone a talking-to — and when one is laid it starts somewhere public: a bar, a sporting event, a crowd. Point Duty Traffic Court Defence and Legal Services reads the disclosure against the definition, because being loud or swearing at an officer is not by itself the offence: the Crown has to show a real disturbance of the public's ordinary use of the place, an officer's own annoyance does not count, and it is an officer's evidence of how other people reacted that usually proves the disturbance. Depending on the circumstances a Toronto Crown will often consider a withdrawal in the public interest or some form of diversion, and the charge is worth testing either way because the real cost here is the criminal record, not the penalty.
Disturbing the peace in or near a public place by fighting, screaming, swearing, or obstructing persons. Summary offence — strong defences available.
- Courthouse
- Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)
- Court Phone
- (416) 327-5707
- Consultation
- Free & Confidential
ii.
Penalties
Summary conviction: up to 2 years less a day and/or a $5,000 fine. Diversion and peace bonds are commonly used to resolve these matters without a record.
iii.
Available defences
- No externally manifested disturbance
- Conduct not in or near a public place
- Identification
- De minimis
iv.
The process
Most cause disturbance charges resolve through peace bond, diversion, or withdrawal after disclosure.
v.
Notes for Toronto
Toronto runs three Provincial Offences courts, not one — Toronto South on Front Street East, Toronto East on Markham Road, and Toronto West on Eglinton Avenue West. Which one hears your ticket is set by where it was issued. Summary criminal charges go to the Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street. We appear at all four.
Criminal Court
Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)
10 Armoury Street, Toronto, ON M5T 0C2
(416) 327-5707
All Toronto criminal matters. Consolidated the former Old City Hall, College Park, 1000 Finch West, 2201 Finch West, 1911 Eglinton East and 311 Jarvis courthouses in March 2023.
Local practice notes reviewed 2026-09-01
Common Questions — Toronto
Where is a cause disturbance charge heard in Toronto?
- Toronto cause disturbance matters are heard at Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice), 10 Armoury Street, Toronto, ON M5T 0C2. The court's number is (416) 327-5707. Point Duty appears there.
Who lays cause disturbance charges in Toronto?
- In Toronto, cause disturbance charges are laid by Toronto Police Service, OPP and RCMP. The charge is then heard at Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice).
How long does a cause disturbance charge take in Toronto?
- Point Duty Traffic Court Defence and Legal Services sees Toronto criminal matters take 8 to 15 months to complete, despite the Chief Justice of Ontario's directive that a matter be set down for trial or resolved with a plea within six months.
How does the Crown handle cause disturbance in Toronto?
- Point Duty Traffic Court Defence and Legal Services finds that, depending on the nature and seriousness of an offence, a Toronto Crown does offer diversion, a peace bond, or a conditional or absolute discharge. On occasion they may resolve a matter with a donation to a charity, though that is occasional and dependent on the Crown.
Do I have to attend court in person in Toronto?
- Toronto criminal court does run virtual appearances. At case management stages the appearances can be virtual, although the accused person can appear in person if they wish. Generally, you only need to appear in person if there is going to be a guilty plea, and if you ask the court for permission to appear virtually for a guilty plea, it is often granted where jail is not on the table. For the moment, peace bonds can be heard virtually. Trials, however, have to be done in person unless there are some extreme extenuating circumstances.
What else should I know about Toronto Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)?
- All the courts that used to be spread across Toronto are now in one place. It is easy to reach by transit on the University line of the subway, and there is paid parking in the area. Everyone has to go through security. The case management courts are usually on the second floor, in front of a justice of the peace, but when things are taking too long they end up in front of a judge, usually on the eighth floor — which is also where a guilty plea before a judge is usually done. The case management drug court is on the tenth floor. Paralegals cannot handle youth matters; the youth courts are on the sixth floor. The Chief Justice has issued a directive that matters must be set down for trial or resolved within six months, and the court is not too backed up anymore.
Charged with cause disturbance?
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