Seeking information on a case (Ontario): Help me understand next steps like I'm new to Earth
Hello all, I have zero experience with the legal system nor do I know anyone I can ask where to start. I am not seeking legal advice exactly, but guidance on how to navigate and find information on court proceedings in Ontario.
I have a family member, "Louise", who has been married to "Ron" for a few years. They are both older (+70) and had other spouses/lives before meeting.
Ron has been involved in a recent court case (concluded within the last year???) and was assigned to house arrest and ankle monitoring.
For my piece of mind and the safety of other family I would like to know more about the details and subject matter of his case & sentence but I don't know where to even start, what questions to ask, what information is publicly available, and how to go about finding & accessing it.
Louise is not providing any information, I am not comfortable asking her more questions, and I am not comfortable approaching Ron himself.
I am in Ontario, but I am not even certain under which jurisdiction (county?) the case was.
I have very little information - Ron's first & last name - I know about the house arrest & ankle monitor but only have a very vague idea of the subject of the case. Based on what I know I am guessing this is a criminal matter...?? not a provincial offense, but again, I am new to all of this. I don't know date(s) of any events or court appearances or, like I said, even location/jurisdiction beyond 'Ontario'.
What steps should I take next? Is there any online database I could search initially for past proceedings so I can at least get some baseline information? (dates/timeline/locations)
I don't mind doing the legwork I just need to know where to start!
Do I need to go in person to different courthouses?
And what would I ask them for?
Let's say there is nothing sealed or restricted and it is a run of the mill case, what information would normally be publicly available?
And how do I access it? When I get to this stage, would I need to file FOI requests? Is my information recorded when I file a FOI or seek publicly available information on the proceedings?
Thank you redditverse for any guidance you can provide this Earthling new to the legal sphere.