On this page
On this page
The Ontario Court of Justice hears provincial offences cases.
Examples of these cases include:
- Highway Traffic Actcharges such as speeding;
- Municipal by-law charges which include excessive noise, animal control; and
- Charges laidunder provincial legislation such as theEnvironmental Protection Act,Occupational Health and Safety Act,Dog Owners’ Liability Actand theTrespass to Property Act.
Municipalities administer courts where most provincial offence cases are heard, Criminal and Family Courts are administered by the province.
If you have questions about court services or accessibility, contact the municipal offices shown on your ticket or summons.
Court process
The Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases and Guide to Appeals in Provincial Offences Cases provide general information about the POA court processes.
Court and case information
Provincial Offences courthouse locations and contacts
Municipal court locationsand contact information is on the Ministry of the Attorney General’s website.
Zoom coordinates for court appearance
Information about Zoom coordinates can be found in the following places:
- The Notice of Trial if you received a ticket;
- The Summons if you did not receive a ticket;
- The website for the municipal court office listed on the Notice of Trial or Summons. Websites can be located on the Ministry of the Attorney General’s website: Provincial Offences Court locations
- Contacting the Court Office. Contact information is listed on the Ministry of the Attorney General’s website: Provincial Offences Court locations
You may also contact the Court Office listed on the Notice of Trial or summons to request an in-person appearance or appearance by video.
Provincial Offences Court locations
Complaints about judicial conduct
There are different processes to follow depending on whether you have a complaint about a decision made by a judge or justice of the peace, and whether you have a complaint about the conduct of a judge or justice of the peace.
More information
Complaints about judicial conduct
There are different processes to follow depending on whether you have a complaint about a decision made by a judge or justice of the peace, and whether you have a complaint about the conduct of a judge or justice of the peace.
If you believe that a judge or justice of the peace decided your case incorrectly, you may be able to appeal or apply for judicial review to a higher court.
For example, you have the right to appeal a conviction, sentence or both within the time fixed by law. A notice of appeal must be served within 30 days after the day of the sentence. You should file your notice sooner rather than later with either the Court of Appeal for Ontario or the Superior Court of Justice. Please consult the Ministry of the Attorney General’s website to determine which court can hear your appeal: https://www.ontario.ca/page/criminal-appeals. If you wish to review a bail decision, you should read the Contested variation procedure section in the Bail portion of the Step-by-step guide to a criminal case.
If you believe the conduct of a provincially-appointed judge judge was unacceptable, you may send a written complaint to the Ontario Judicial Council.
If you believe the conduct of a justice of the peace was unacceptable, you may send a written complaint to the Justices of the Peace Review Council.
You should be aware that you cannot use the complaints process of the Ontario Judicial Council and the Justices of the Peace Review Council to:
- change a ruling or decision of a judge or justice of the peace
- obtain a new trial
- overturn a decision of a judge or justice of the peace
- obtain an order that a particular judge or justice of the peace not hear a case
Status of Provincial Offences Act case
You can find out about the status of your Provincial Offences Act matter, excluding parking tickets on the Ministry of the Attorney General's website.
You can also contact the court listed on the ticket or summons that you received.
Check the status of traffic tickets and fines online or request a meeting to resolve your case
How do I find the set fine amount on my ticket?
Your ticket will include a space for the set fine. The set fines can be located here: Set fines.
The total payable on your ticket is the set fine, plus $5.00 costs, plus the applicable surcharge amount. The surcharge amount is set out in O. Reg. 161/00: Victim Fine Surcharges.
Access to Provincial Offences court records
To access provincial offences court records, you will have to contact the courthouse where the proceeding occurred. If you are seeking access to records, you should consult the Ministry of Attorney General Court Services Division Policies and Procedure on Public Access to Court Files, Documents and Exhibits which provides information on what records may be accessible.
Useful resources
Interpreter and language assistance
Accessibility
Interpreter and French language information
French language rights: A defendant whose language is French is entitled to a bilingual trial. If charged under federal legislation, an accused person has the right to a French trial. For more information, please see the Ministry of the Attorney website on French language rights and justice services in French.
Other languages: If you require an interpreter for a Provincial Offences Act (POA) matter, please contact the POA court in which your matter is being heard to request an interpreter. Contact information for all municipal court offices in Ontario.
An interpreter can also be requested on your ticket or when you attend court.
How do I request accommodation of my disability?
For accommodation please contact the local municipal courthouse. Contact information for municipal courthouses is available on the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Municipal Provincial Offences Court locations page.
