Provincial Offences

Provincial Offences Act logo and image of office building

Canada Post Disruption!

Due to the Canada Post disruption, please do not mail your payment. Payments can be made on-line at www.leedsgrenville.com/payafine or phone by calling 613-342-2357.

If you wish to request a trial, or submit any other application, please email us at poacourt@uclg.on.ca or attend in person at 32 Wall Street, Suite 100 Brockville Ontario.

Text Scam Alert!

TEXT SCAM ALERT: We have been alerted that some members of the public are receiving text messages from phone numbers claiming to be from the 'Ontario Courts'. These text messages may include malicious links that could put your personal information at risk. Please note the Provincial Offences office will not contact you by text message. Do not click any suspicious links asking for ticket payment or personal information by text. To securely check the status of your ticket or pay a fine, please follow the instructions below or contact our office.

POA Case Lookup: Check the status of your traffic tickets or other provincial offences.

Zoom Coordinates: https://zoom.us/join

OR call in by telephone: 1-647-558-0588
MEETING ID: 823 822 6801

If you have a matter scheduled in-person, including a summons to appear in court, you may appear remotely, unless ordered otherwise.

If you choose to appear remotely, rather than in-person, it is your responsibility to ensure that you can connect to the session. Please test internet and connection prior to court day. There are remote hearing tips and user guides below for reference. If you are unable to connect, the expectation is that you will attend in person or by agent, as was required prior to the ability to connect by zoom.

If you have moved since your last appearance, please email poacourt@uclg.on.ca or call 613-342-2357 to provide your email, phone number and current address, so that you do not miss important information regarding your matter.
**PLEASE NOTE THAT TYPICALLY, THERE ARE MULTIPLE MATTERS SCHEDULED WITHIN THE SAME COURT SESSION. PLEASE PLAN TO SPEND 2-3 HOURS DURING A COURT APPEARANCE, FOR PLANNING PURPOSES.

Access to Court Dockets, Audio Recordings and Exhibits

Please contact local court staff for information about a matter you believe is ongoing for which you have no return date.

Please remember to keep your mailing address up to date with us at poacourt@uclg.on.ca - or you may miss important information regarding your court appearance.

Media representatives who wish to inquire about the status of a specific proceeding at 1960 court, may contact poacourt@uclg.on.ca.

To request access to court filings and exhibits, please email poacourt@uclg.on.ca, using the subject line, “Court Filings/ Exhibits Access Request”.

Existing access policies remain in effect.

The existing Policy Regarding Access to Digital Audio Recordings remains in effect.

Information about and application forms required to request access to a recorded case can be found by following the policy link, above.

Remote Hearings

Residents in North Grenville, Rideau Lakes, Prescott or Gananoque with Connectivity or Transportation Challenges in attending Provincial Offences Court

Several municipalities have partnered with the Provincial Offences Court office in offering residents who wish to attend their POA court session remotely an additional resource. Residents who are challenged either by connectivity or transportation may enquire at their local library to see if resources can be made available on their court day. Please reach out to the library well in advance of your court day to ensure the resources are available.

North Grenville - info@ngpl.ca or call 613-258-4711, Address: 1 Water Street, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

Gananoque - gplp@bellnet.ca or call 613-382-2436, Address: 100 Park Street, Gananoque, ON K7G 2Y5

Rideau Lakes - vicki@rlpl.ca or call 613-359-5334, Address: 26 Halladay Street, Elgin ON K0G 1E0

Prescott - library@prescott.ca or call 613-925-4340, Address: 360 Dibble St W., Prescott ON K0E 1T0

Section 136 of the Courts of Justice Act makes it an offence to take a photograph, or make a video or audio recording, of a court proceeding, unless prior judicial authorization has been granted.

Audio recording of proceedings is permitted by counsel, paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, court staff, members of the media, and litigants provided it is done solely for note-taking purposes and the presiding judicial officer has been advised before the recording commences. Audio recording of proceedings is also permitted by members of the public provided it is done solely for note-taking purposes and the express permission of the presiding judicial officer is first obtained. These audio recordings cannot be transmitted. The Court’s Protocol Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in Court Proceedings remains in effect.

User Guide for Remote Hearings

Zoom Tip Sheet for Virtual Court Hearings

Interpreter Guide for Remote Hearings

Certified evidence for a prosecution case

The prosecution may present its case through certified evidence without having to call the officer as a witness. Certified evidence consists of the statements in the Certificate of Offence, certified photographs and certified ministry documents.

The admissibility for these offences is set out in the Highway Traffic Act and regulations. Section 48.1 of the Provincial Offences Act also allows for admissibility of Certified evidence for any Part 1 proceeding where a set fine exists for the offence.

I was sentenced to pay a fine in court - How Do I Pay?

Important Information on How to Pay a Fine

Link to Pay the fine

Are you interested in trying to reach a resolution with the prosecutor for charge(s)?

If you are interested in trying to reach a resolution with the prosecutor for this/these charge(s), please email the Prosecutor at your earliest convenience.

email Gerry.McDougall@uclg.on.ca
If a resolution is agreed to, a hearing will be booked for this matter at the request of the Prosecutor. The Prosecutor will provide the Trial Coordinator relevant contact information so that audio proceeding telephone number and Conference ID number can be forwarded to the defendant (and/or representative). E.g. email address, telephone number.
If a resolution has not been reached and/or you do not wish to discuss a resolution – disregard this notice. Your matter will be scheduled at a later date and time. Please keep us informed of any change in address and/or contact information by calling : 613-342-2357 or emailing poacourt@uclg.on.ca.

**For charges laid by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) - To request disclosure or to commence resolution discussions, please email: mto@ecclaw.net

How to Order a Transcript

To order a transcript, please complete the transcript order form below and follow the directions provided on the form.

Transcript Order Form - English

Transcript Order Form - French

The ordering party will download the Court Transcript Order Form or print and complete it and contact the selected vendor to discuss delivery details, cost and payment of transcription and delivery. The list of vendors and contact information is included on the order form.

We are pleased to offer this streamlined method for ordering court transcripts. For more information visit www.leedsgrenville.com or contact us at 613-342-2357 or poacourt@uclg.on.ca.

United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Court Services

Ticket Options - How do I request a trial or pay the ticket?

What are my options if I receive an offence notice (ticket)?

If you receive a ticket in Ontario, you are required to pay it through a Provincial Offences office unless you wish to dispute the charges. Common charges under the Provincial Offences Act include:

Highway Traffic Act Violations (HTA)
such as speeding, careless driving, not wearing seatbelt, or failing to stop at a stop sign
Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA)
such as failing to surrender your insurance card or driving without insurance
Liquor License Act (LLA)
such as being intoxicated in a public place or having open liquor in your vehicle
Trespass to Property Act (TPA)
such as entering premises where prohibited or failing to leave premises after being directed to do so
Municipal By-Laws Infractions
such as noise, zoning or parking
Occupational Health & Safety, Environment, Transportation, Natural Resources, Labour or Finance violations

Option 1: Plea of Guilty - voluntary payment

You are stating that you are guilty and will pay the amount listed in the Total Payable box at the bottom of your ticket.

Payment options

In person

Payment can be made at any Provincial Court location. You may pay by cash, debit card, credit card, cheque, money order or bank draft. The office accepts VISA, MasterCard and American Express. Dishonoured cheques will be subject to an additional fee.

Online

www.leedsgrenville.com/payafine

Mail

Send cheque or money order (not cash) payable to United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Include the ticket number on the payment. It is your responsibility to ensure payment is received by the Court office by the due date or further fees may be added. Dishonoured cheques will be subject to an additional fee.

Phone

Payment can be received 24 hours a day by calling 1-855-973-2583. Provide the ticket number for reference along with your credit card* (VISA or MasterCard) information.

Fax

You may fax your ticket information and credit card* (VISA, MasterCard or American Express) information to the Court office.

Option 2: Plea of Guilty - submission as to penalty

In person Walk-In Guilty Pleas are not occurring at this time. Please contact the court office for assistance in exercising Option #2. Email: poacourt@uclg.on.ca, or Telephone: 613-342-2357

If you are pleading guilty but want to ask for a lesser fine amount or more time to pay your fine, you can appear before the Justice of the Peace to plea your case. You must go to the Court office address listed on your ticket under Option 2.

The Justice of the Peace cannot:

Reduce the charge, For example, if you were convicted of speeding 40 km/hr over - you will be pleading guilty to this offence.
Remove or change demerit points, For example, if there are demerit points associated with the offence those will follow the conviction of the offence.

Option 3: Trial option - submit trial request through fillable form

If you are pleading not guilty, complete information under Option 3. "Request for Trial" can be delivered in person (Court office address found on the ticket), by mail or by submitting it directly to our office using our e-form by clicking the link below. Before sending your request make sure the address listed on the front of the ticket is correct. If the address is incorrect, write the correct address in the area noted under the signature line.

Once you have requested your trial, you should request disclosure (the information that the enforcement agency has regarding your matter) right away. You may complete the fillable form or email prosecution@uclg.on.ca

Disclosure Request (fillable on-line form)

Notice of Intention to Appear in Court

Legal Advice

Court administration staff cannot provide advice when you receive a ticket. Contact a lawyer or paralegal to help you if you cannot decide which ticket option to choose.

Contact Information

Brockville

Provincial Offences Office
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
32 Wall Street, Suite 100
Brockville, ON K6V 4R9

poacourt@uclg.on.ca
Business: 613-342-2357
Collections: 613-342-3848 ext. 5324
TTY: 613-341-3854
TTY Toll Free: 1-800-539-8685
Fax: 613-342-8891

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (holidays excluded)

directions

Other Offices

Provincial Court Locations

Forms and Defendant Guides

Guide for Defendant in Provincial Offences Cases

Guide to Appeals in Provincial Offences Cases

Forms are fillable and can be forwarded directly to the Provincial Court office or can be printed and presented. If a form requires a signature the defendant can complete it online and send electronically, but they still need to go to the Court office to sign it.

Affidavit in Support of a Request for Reopening
Disclosure Request (fillable on-line form)
Application for Extension of Time to Pay Fine (Fillable application available in the Quick Links)
Requête en Prorogation du Délai de Paiement d'une Amende
- Payment Plan - Supporting Documentation to Accompany Application for Extension of Time to Pay Fine
  - Contact Collections at 613-342-2357 Ext. 5330 for this form
Request for Adjournment of First Trial Date
Notice of Intention to Appear
Adjournment Request
Insert - road-side ticket to request a remote appearance

FAQ

Why is there a Victim Fine Surcharge added to my fine?

The Provincial Offences Act requires a "Victim Fine Surcharge" be added to fines. This surcharge is forwarded directly to the Province of Ontario and goes into the Province's Victims' Justice Fund account. This is used to provide services to support victims of crime. The surcharge operates on a sliding scale, depending on the amount of the fine.

Victim Fine Surcharge Chart

Do you have an accessibility issue?

If you or someone you represent has a disability and needs assistance to attend Court, please contact the Brockville Court office to make arrangements. This needs to be done at least two months in advance of your Court date.

Assistance can include:

Assistive listening devices
Visual language interpretation such as American Sign Language (ASL)

What happens if I ignore the ticket?

You have 15 days from when you received the ticket to choose one of the three options. If you do not respond within 15 days, a Justice of the Peace may enter a conviction against you. If this happens additional costs will be added to the total amount owed. If the fine is not paid within the specified time frame, additional charges will be added and steps taken to enforce you to pay.

For example, if you had a speeding ticket, your driver's license may be suspended. Should this occur, what is owed in total must be paid in full to have your license reinstated.

What happens if I don't pay my fine?

If you don't pay your fine after you are convicted by the due date, it may result in one or more of the following:

Refusal by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to issue a vehicle permit
Driver's license suspension
An additional administrative fee of $40.00
Additional collection costs including interest
Small Claims Court action
The defaulted fine information is provided to a credit bureau

Payment plans can be arranged if you are contacted by a collection agency. If a payment plan is approved by the Justice of the Peace, it will prevent further enforcement initiatives if the payment plan is adhered to.

What do the charges mean?

The Consolidated laws lists all provincial acts. Look up the statute of the offence you have been charged.

How do I find out the current status of my driving record?

All driving record information is maintained and administered by the Ministry of Transportation. To receive your driving record abstract, visit the Ministry of Transportation website, select Drivers, Ministry Online Services, then type abstract in the search tool. A link will be provided to request the most recent owner abstract information.

How many demerit points will I receive with a conviction?

If you are seeking information regarding the number of demerit points that may be associated with a conviction of the offence with which you are charged, refer to the Government of Ontario's website or call 1-800-387-3445.

Why are there two amounts on my ticket?

One amount is the set fine and the second is the total payable. The total payable includes the set fine, court costs and the victim fine surcharge [link]. This total amount is to be paid to the Provincial Offences Court.
The set fine is ordered by the Chief Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice as the amount you must pay instead of attending court to contest the charge. Court costs are an amount you must pay for the service of the ticket and/or summons and upon conviction of an offence. The costs are authorized by Section 60 of the Provincial Offences Act and the amount is set by regulation.

How can I check the status of an Ontario Driver's License?

It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure they have a valid driver's license prior to driving, and vehicle owners are also responsible for ensuring that every individual who drives their vehicle has a valid driver's license.

Visit www.dlc.rus.mto.gov.on.ca/dlc to access the Ontario driver's license check service. This online service includes the ability to easily check a driver's license by scanning the card on a mobile device.

What do I do when my driver's license is suspended?

The Provincial Offences Court may choose to suspend a driver's license for non-payment of a fine. If this happens, you must pay the total amount outstanding at any Court office in Ontario.

After payment is made, go to your local Ministry of Transportation office to pay the reinstatement fee. Once this is paid (and there are no other outstanding fines or other reasons for suspension), your license will be reinstated within 3 to 5 business days.

Some fines are eligible to be paid directly at Service Ontario and reinstated the same day. To see if your fine is eligible, contact the Provincial Court office.

Why am I notified of my suspension after I have been suspended?

The Ministry of the Attorney General changed its procedures several years ago, including no longer providing notice of the "pending suspension". It was determined that notice was no longer required because defendants had already been provided with notice of a pending suspension for non-payment of a fine through two methods: a ticket (indicated on the back) and a Notice of Fine and Due Date.

Do you have a complaint or a compliment about the Provincial Offences office?

How was the service you’ve received? Complete our short survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/bhdChnEwme

Do you have a complaint regarding the Justice of the Peace

Judicial Conduct

Summons

If you receive a summons, you must appear in Court on the date specified at 32 Wall Street, Brockville, Ontario. First appearances may be done either in-person or remotely. If you choose to attend remotely, sign-in information is provided at the top of the page.