Court Backlog in Hastings County Raises Concerns Over Delayed Justice, Belleville Police Say in Media Release
- Small Town Productions
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
| Small Town News | A Division of Small Town Productions |
The Belleville Police Service has issued a media release raising concerns about a growing backlog of Provincial Offences Act (POA) matters in Hastings County, warning that ongoing court delays are preventing timely justice and undermining public confidence in the justice system.
According to the release, significant delays in judicial availability are preventing POA matters from moving forward within expected timeframes. As cases approach the province’s 15-month guideline, they must be withdrawn, even when investigations are complete, and all procedural requirements have been met.
Police Chief Murray Rodd says "officers complete investigations and meet every obligation, only to have cases dismissed because no judicial time is available.”
The service points to limited court capacity as a central issue. Hastings County currently has only 85 judicial sitting days per year, which significantly restricts scheduling.
Early Resolution meetings cannot occur without a Justice of the Peace, and informal resolution options available in other jurisdictions are not available locally.
While the Province is considering modernization efforts, including allowing court clerks to accept guilty pleas, police note in the release that “these measures have not yet been implemented.”
“Our officers are completing their work thoroughly and on time,” said Chief Rodd. “The challenges we are seeing are the result of systemic court scheduling limitations, not police action. Yet our officers’ work is set aside and the public sees cases withdrawn without resolution. That is a lose-lose for Belleville.”
Police warn the backlog “weakens accountability, damages trust in the justice system, wastes municipal and police resources, and leaves citizens, victims, and complainants waiting for outcomes that never arrive.”
The Belleville Police Service says it continues to work collaboratively with Hastings County but remains constrained by structural limitations beyond local control. The service reaffirmed its support for provincial modernization efforts and its commitment to securing the judicial capacity needed to deliver timely and effective justice for the community.
Why This Matters
In the media release, police emphasize that court backlogs affect more than scheduling. When cases are withdrawn due to delays, accountability can be reduced, public trust may be strained, and residents who report incidents or participate in the justice process may be left without resolution.
Police stress that these outcomes are not the result of investigative failures, but of broader systemic limitations within the court system. The situation raises questions about access to justice, court capacity, and how confidence in the justice system can be maintained when cases are unable to proceed.
What Do You Think?
Do court backlogs affect your confidence in the justice system, or do you see this as an unavoidable structural issue?
Everyone is encouraged to share their perspectives in the comments below
To keep updated with our latest news articles by having them sent straight to your email please visit www.smalltownproductions.org/signup or check out our other articles at www.smalltownproductions.org/news
Link for Donations
We’re proudly independent, with no corporate or political ties, just a commitment to truthful, fact-based reporting. Your support not only helps us stay free from outside influence but also allows us to give back to the communities we serve through meaningful coverage, outreach, and support where it matters most. If you value honest local journalism, please consider donating through the link below. Anything helps us keep you informed and make a real difference.
