Overview

In Ontario, the Provincial Offences Act sets out the rules for non-criminal offences under the:

These non-criminal offences can include:

  • traffic or noise by-law offences
  • building code violations
  • not having proof of insurance
  • public intoxication
  • trespassing

Municipalities administer Ontario Court of Justice courts where provincial offence cases are heard.

Check the status of a traffic ticket or fine

Use the Provincial Offences Act online services portal to check the status of Provincial Offences Act cases or fines, other than the exceptions below.

You cannot check the status of:

  • parking tickets
  • cases under appeal
  • cases with publication bans
  • charges involving anyone under 16 years of age
  • criminal matters and administrative penalties, which are not viewable on this site because they are subject to the Provincial Offences Act

Search for court cases online

You can search for and view court case information online for the: 

  • Superior Court of Justice
  • Ontario Court of Justice
  • Court of Appeal for Ontario

Review your options for how to search for and view this information.

Before you search for a ticket

Make sure you have the Integrated Court Offences Network (ICON) location code and offence number printed on your ticket or offence notice, so you can look up your case.

If you received a summons

If you’ve received a summons (an order to appear in front of a justice), you will need the case number on the summons.

If you don’t have a summons or lost your ticket

If you don’t have this information, or you’ve lost your ticket, contact the municipal court office in the jurisdiction where your summons was issued.

Online address changes

Changing your address through ServiceOntario does not update your address with the provincial offences courts.

You must contact the provincial court directly with your contact information.

Check a ticket or fine

Types of tickets and options

Your ticket (also known as an “offence notice” or “parking infraction notice”) or summons sets out the offence you were charged with.

If you get an offence notice, you have the following options: 

  • You can voluntarily plead guilty by paying the total amount shown on your ticket.
  • You can plead guilty with an explanation (where available).
  • You can request early resolution (where available).
  • You can request a trial (by contacting the court office or, where available, via the online services portal).

Plead guilty with an explanation

If this option is available on your ticket, you can choose to appear before a justice of the peace to enter plea of guilty and make submissions as to the penalty (amount of fine or time to pay).

Early resolution

If this option is available on your ticket, you can choose to meet with a prosecutor before trial to discuss a possible resolution of your charge, where available, if you have not: 

  • paid the fine
  • already requested a trial
  • been deemed not to dispute for not responding to your ticket within 15 days

Steps to request a meeting

Follow these steps to request a meeting:

  1. Go to our online system.
  2. Enter the information on the ticket or notice.
  3. Click on “Request an early resolution meeting.”
  4. Include all information, including your email address and phone number.
  5. Submit your request.

Request a trial

You can request a trial online (where available) if you have not already either: 

  • paid the fine
  • requested or had a court appearance scheduled
  • been deemed not to dispute for not responding to your ticket within 15 days

Steps to request a trial

Follow these steps to request a trial:

  1. Go to our online system.
  2. Enter the information on the ticket or notice.
  3. Click on, "Request a trial.”
  4. Include all applicable information, including your email address and phone number.
  5. Submit your request. 

Please contact the court office directly to request a trial, if the online option is not available.

Failure to respond to a ticket

If you do not respond to a ticket within the timeframe listed on the ticket or notice, you may be convicted in your absence. This may lead to the addition of further costs.

Failure to pay the outstanding amount could result in a licence plate denial and collection activity.

Learn about payment options for defaulted fines and how to reinstate your driver’s licence online.

If you get a summons 

You or your representative must attend court at the time and place shown on the summons.

If you don’t attend court

On a non-trial date

If you don’t attend court on a non-trial date, the court may set a trial date without notifying you. 

On a trial date

If you don’t attend court on a trial date:

  • the court may issue a warrant for your arrest
  • your trial may happen without you
  • you could be convicted and sentenced, which may include jail time depending on the offence
For any trial or non-trial court date

If you don’t attend court for any trial or non-trial court date you may be charged with failing to appear in court.

If you miss a court date, it is your responsibility to contact the court office to find out the outcome, including whether a trial date was set and when it will take place.

Ticketable matters proceeding under Part I of the Provincial Offences Act

Individuals who request a trial or early resolution meeting (where available) should take steps to prepare prior to the date in the notice of trial or the date in the notice of early resolution meeting.

Preparation may include:

  • disclosure, which is asking for information about the case against you, which may include police notes or other information about your case
  • seeking legal advice
  • hiring a representative, for example, a lawyer or licensed paralegal
  • discussing resolution with the prosecutor in advance of the trial date
  • reviewing the Ontario Court of Justice’s Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases - Ontario Court of Justice 

Where to pay a ticket or fine

Follow these steps to pay a ticket or fine, issued under the Provincial Offences Act:

  1. Go to our online system.
  2. Enter the information on the ticket or notice.
  3. You will be directed to a municipal court office website, which will tell you how to pay your ticket.

Penalty notices

If you received a penalty notice, it is processed through an administrative penalties system, separate from the Provincial Offences Act court process.

Please contact the municipality or other entity listed on the notice directly to inquire about your options.

Request information about your case

Anyone charged with an offence is entitled to receive, free of charge, all the information in the prosecutor’s possession or control that is relevant to the charge. This could include:

  • investigating officer notes
  • witness statements
  • diagrams
  • photographs

This information is called “disclosure,” and you must ask for it to get it. This request may have to be made in writing. Contact the court office shown on your ticket or summons as soon as possible to find out how to receive the disclosure materials for your case.

For additional information how to request disclosure, please visit Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases - Ontario Court of Justice.

Request an accommodation or interpretation

Accessibility

Courts provide accommodation for people with disabilities. Contact the municipal court office in advance to request accessibility support.

Interpretation services

Language interpretation can be requested when selecting your preferred option online or on the back of the ticket if mailing in your ticket.