Defence in Guelph.

Guelph sits where Highway 6 meets the 401, and the Hanlon Parkway — Highway 6 through the west side of the city — is the stretch that produces most of the speed-related charges we see out of Wellington County. Guelph Police Service enforces inside the city; the OPP Wellington County detachment covers the 401 and the county roads around it. Provincial offences from Guelph and the surrounding county are heard at the Guelph Provincial Offences Court at 59 Carden Street, in the city's Old City Hall building.

Guelph has two courthouses and it matters which one your notice names. Criminal matters proceed at the Guelph Courthouse at 36 Wyndham Street South. The courthouse at 74 Woolwich Street handles civil, family and small claims — not criminal. A speeding or stunt driving charge off the Hanlon or the 401 goes to Carden Street; an assault or theft under charge goes to Wyndham Street South.

Point Duty accepts files across Wellington County and travels to Guelph for both courts. Whether the charge is an HTA matter at the Provincial Offences Court or a summary criminal matter at the Wyndham Street courthouse, the first call is free — we'll tell you what you have actually been charged with and what the realistic outcomes are before you decide anything.