Provincial Offences Court

Provincial Offences Court Administration (102 Wellington) is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for payment of fines, inquiries, and other administrative services. Any questions relating to court proceedings or court administration please contact the office at 519-751-9100 or by email at brantfordpoa@brantford.ca.

If you have received a notice to attend court please connect to the court session on the date and time on the notice by visiting brantford.ca/VirtualCourt.

Provincial Offences are non-criminal charges primarily laid by police and city by-law enforcement agencies. Charges issued under the Provincial Offences Act include but are not limited to; driving offences, trespassing, liquor licence, and by-laws such as noise and animal control; along with Federal contraventions including hunting and fishing infractions. The Brantford Provincial Offences Office administers charges issued in: City of Brantford, Brant County, and Six Nations.

Ticket Options

Within 15 days of receiving your ticket, you must select one of the three options shown on your offence notice. If you do not exercise one of the three options within 15 days of receiving the offence notice, you will be deemed not to dispute the charge and a Justice of the Peace may enter a conviction against you in your absence. Upon conviction additional costs will be added to the total payable.

Virtual Court

Refer to the web address provided in your written notice, or use the following link for matters scheduled for: Courtroom 1, or connect by phone using Phone number: +1-855-703-8985 (Toll Free) Meeting ID: 980 7402 9801 Password: 025410

Payments

This option is available if you do not wish to dispute the charge and would rather settle the matter by paying the total payable shown on the ticket. A Conviction will register against you, and any demerit points that are attached to the charge will also be imposed. It is important to pay the total payable and not the set fine amount shown on your ticket.

Payment options include Cash, Debit, Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, MasterCard Debit, and Money Order, Cheque, or Certified Cheque made payable to the City of Brantford

Online

At www.payfines.ca Note: Debit, Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit cannot be used through this site.
There is a $2.50 non-refundable convenience fee added to online payments.
It can take up to three business days to process your payment.

Mail

Send your payment to:

City of Brantford
Provincial Offences Court Office
102 Wellington Street P.O. Box 760
Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2M3

You can pay by cheque, money order Visa or MasterCard when paying by mail.
You must include your ticket number with your payment.
Cheques can be made payable to the City of Brantford.
Do not send cash in the mail.

In Person

City of Brantford
Provincial Offences Court Office
102 Wellington Street,
Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2M3
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Phone

Pay by phone using Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, MasterCard Debit, or Pre-paid credit cards.
Contact our office at (519) 751-9100 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

Walk In Guilty Plea

This option is available if you wish to plead guilty to the charge on your ticket, but want to request the fine be reduced or be given an extended period of time to pay your fine. By choosing this option a conviction will be registered against you. Any demerit points that are attached to the charge will also be imposed. The Justice of the Peace cannot remove or reduce any demerit points to be applied. Please click to understand more about demerit points. To exercise this option you must attend the court office at 102 Wellington Street, Brantford, in person on Tuesdays (with the exception of holidays and court closures) between 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Trial Request

If you wish to dispute the charge on your ticket, you may do so by signing Option #3 on your offence notice and deliver your ticket to our office in person or by mail. Please indicate any changes to your name and address on the back of the ticket.

In the event you have misplaced your offence notice, the defendant must sign and complete a Replacement of Missing Documentation (Form 3) and forward by mail or in person to:

City of Brantford
Provincial Offences Court Office
102 Wellington Street, P.O Box 760
Brantford ON, N3T 2M3

Past Due Payment Options

Overwhelmed by unpaid fines? Looking to get your driver’s licence reinstated?

If your situation is complex and requires personal attention, the City of Brantford Provincial Offences Court Office may be able to assist you. Contact our Collections Officer and set up an appointment to identify your outstanding fines and discuss what options are available. In this meeting you will be provided with:

A list of your outstanding fine(s)
Information on how to re-instate your driver’s licence
Your eligibility for the Pre-Authorized Debit Program/Payment plan
Information on obtaining an Extension of Time to Pay your fines

By providing us with some basic personal information we can structure a payment plan towards your outstanding fine(s) based on your individual circumstances. Please be advised, this is subject to any judicial or court orders imposed.

Contact our Collections Officer at (519) 759-4222 ext. 5000 or email us at poacollections@brantford.ca to set up an appointment.

Extensions of Time to Pay Fines

If you are unable to pay your fine by the due date, you may apply for a Motion of Extension of Time to Pay for your fine. Motion for Extension of Time to Pay Fine (Form 125-126). The Justice of the Peace will consider your previous attempts at payments when determining the outcome of your application. Partial payments can be made at any time. Applications submitted and approved before your fine goes into default, will avoid your driver’s licence from being suspended due to unpaid fines.

Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases

An Ontario Court of Justice Guide is available at the Ontario Courts of Justice website and by selecting the following link:

Ontario Court of Justice PDF Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases

This Guide provides defendants with general information about the court process for provincial offences cases. It does not cover every circumstance that might arise in your case.

This Guide does not provide legal advice. If you have legal questions you are urged to get legal advice from a lawyer or paralegal about your options and the possible penalties you could face.

Guide to Appeals in Provincial Offences Cases Forms

This Guide to Appeals provides general information about the court process for appeals under the Provincial Offences Act. It does not cover every circumstance that might arise in your case.

Documents and Forms

Radar / Laser Manuals

Red Light Cameras

Learn more about red light cameras below:

What is a red light camera?

It is an automated system that detects and captures images of vehicles entering an intersection during the red signal phase of traffic signal operations.

What is a red light camera violation?

A violation occurs when a driver enters the intersection after the traffic signal has turned red.

Do the cameras photograph every vehicle passing through the intersection?

No. The cameras only photograph vehicles that enter an intersection after the traffic signal turns red. Vehicles entering the intersection on a green or amber traffic signal are not photographed.

What if a vehicle is making a left turn and the signal turns red when the vehicle is still in the intersection?

If the vehicle enters the intersection on a green or amber traffic signal, the left-turning motorist will not be ticketed for turning when the traffic signal is red.

What if a vehicle is making a permitted right turn on red? Will the motorist receive a ticket?

In accordance with the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario, if the vehicle comes to a complete stop before the stop bar prior to turning, the motorist will not be ticketed for turning right during a red light.

Do red light cameras generate revenue for the City?

The focus of the red light camera program is safety. This program is revenue neutral, meaning that the revenues would at least cover the operating and maintenance costs of the red light cameras. Since the incidence of red light running decreases after the installation of cameras, it is difficult to predict the number of red light violations. If the program does generate any revenue, it will be placed in a reserve fund to be used for other road safety initiatives in Brantford.

Do the cameras also record violations at night?

Yes. The cameras can record violations in the dark.

How do red light cameras increase road safety?

Community awareness of red light cameras reduces aggressive driving behaviour and decreases red light running. The cameras act as a deterrent because motorist change their driving behaviour in order to avoid a fine. Studies have shown that red light violation rates can decrease within a few months of camera installation and that right-angle collisions can also be significantly reduced. Improved driving behaviour can even carry over to intersections without red light cameras, creating a halo-effect.

How long does it take to receive a red light camera ticket in the mail?

The ticket should be issued within 30 days after the offence.

Do red light cameras replace traffic officers at intersections?

Red light cameras do not replace traffic officers. They are an enforcement tool we can use to enhance police efforts and discourage motorists from running red lights. Cameras operate at all hours, allowing police to use their resources more efficiently.

Who administers the collection of red light camera fines?

Like other driving offenses, the Provincial Offences Office administers charges and collects fines that result from red light cameras.

Does someone review the photographs before motorists are ticketed?

Yes, there are trained officers who review every picture to confirm the vehicle information and to ensure that the vehicle is in violation.

Who receives the ticket for a red light camera violation?

Red light camera tickets are issued to the registered licence plate holder.

Why did I get a ticket when I was only turning right?

You still need to stop before turning right on a red light. When a vehicle is approaching a signalized intersection with a red light, it must first come to a complete stop at the intersection before making a right turn. The red light camera will take a picture when a vehicle is detected turning right without stopping at the red.

I went through an intersection and saw a light flash so I think I got a red light camera ticket, what should I do?

You need to wait to receive notification in the mail to see if you did commit an infraction. You will receive a notice in approximately 30 days from the date of the incident.

How much is the fine?

The total payable is $325.00.

Are there demerit points for a red light camera ticket?

There are no demerit points for a red light camera charge.

Where are the cameras located?

Camera locations were determined by collision rate data and include:

Blackburn Drive at Veterans Memorial Parkway
Wayne Gretzky Parkway at Henry Street
Clarence Street at Dalhousie Street
Clarence Street at Icomm Drive
Wayne Gretzky Parkway at Morton Avenue
Market Street at Wellington Street

I received a notice, what are my options?

If you do not exercise one of the following options within 15 days of receiving the notice, you will be deemed not to wish to dispute the charge and a conviction may be entered against you. A clerk of the court will review the Certificate of Offence for defectiveness before entering a conviction. Upon conviction additional costs will be added to the total payable. If the fine goes into default, an administrative monetary charge will be added to the total payable and the information may be provided to a consumer reporting agency. Steps will be taken to enforce your defaulted fine, including refusal to issue a validation of your vehicle permit or refusal to issue a vehicle permit until the total payable and all additional costs and fees have been paid. There are three options:

Option 1 – Plea of Guilty- Voluntary Payment of Total Payable

By exercising this option, you are pleading guilty to the charge and you must pay the total payable as listed on your ticket.

Online

At www.payfines.ca

Note: Debit, Visa Debit and MasterCard Debit cannot be used through this site.

There is a $2.50 non-refundable convenience fee added to online payments.

It can take up to three business days to process your payment.

Mail

Send your payment to:

City of Brantford

Provincial Offences Court Office

102 Wellington Street P.O. Box 760

Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2M3

You can pay by cheque, money order, Visa or MasterCard when paying by mail.

You must include your ticket number with your payment.

Cheques can be made payable to the City of Brantford.

Do not send cash in the mail.

In Person

City of Brantford

Provincial Offences Court Office

102 Wellington Street,

Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2M3

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone

Pay by phone using Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, MasterCard Debit, or Pre-paid credit cards.

Contact our office at 519-751-9100 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

Option 2- Plea of Guilty- Submission as to Penalty

If you would like to plead guilty to the charge on your ticket and request the fine be reduced and/or request extension of time to pay fine, please call 519-751-9100 or email brantfordpoa@brantford.ca to schedule an appointment.

Option 3- Trial Option

If you would like to appear in court to enter a plea of not guilty, you must sign the notice of intention to appear and submit it to the Brantford Provincial Offences Court. You may submit the request in person or by mail to 102 Wellington Street, Brantford or email to brantfordpoa@brantford.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of tickets that I can receive?

Part 1 is a ticket given to you that has a fine amount on the face of the ticket. You must select an option on your part 1 ticket. If you do not select an option within 15 days, you will be convicted of the fine.

Part 2 is a parking infraction that could be received from the City of Brantford or the County of Brant. We do not take payments or trial requests for Part 2’s. Please read the back of the ticket and attend to the address that is listed to deal with the parking infraction.

City of Brantford Parking
Parking Enforcement Office
Market Centre Parkade
59 Icomm Drive
Brantford, Ontario N3S 7N5
Telephone: 519-753-2311
www.brantford.ca/transportation/parking.aspx

County of Brant Parking
26 Park Avenue
Burford, ON
N0E 1A0
Phone: 519-449-2451
Toll Free: 1-888-250-2295
Fax: 519-449-2454

https://www.brant.ca/en/roads-parking-and-transit/parking.aspx

Part 3 is a summons. You will receive a paper with a court date on it. It indicates that you, or a representative, have been summoned to be at court on a particular day and time.

I just found out that my driver’s licence is suspended, how do I get it back?

If you failed to pay your fine by the due date, and haven't requested an extension of time to pay for your fine, your driver’s licence may be suspended. You will be notified of this suspension by a letter from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO/Service Ontario).

If you have an outstanding fine from a conviction issued after May 1, 2010, you may attend MTO/Service Ontario; pay the fine(s) and the MTO re-instatement fee at the same time to get your licence back in good standing immediately.

Payment can be made through the MTO/Service Ontario website at: www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario
If you have an outstanding fine from a conviction issued prior to May 1, 2010, you must attend any Provincial Offences Court office to pay your fine(s). Once that is completed you may have to wait 3-4 business days to go to the MTO/Service Ontario to pay the MTO re-instatement fee to get your license back in good standing.

What if I have difficulty with the English language during my trial?

If you or one of your witnesses requires an interpreter for a scheduled court date, immediately advise the court office shown on your ticket or summons. When selecting Option # 3 on your ticket, simply indicate the interpreter language required in the specified location. The court office provides interpreter services for court hearings free of charge.

After I receive my ticket, will the court forward any other notifications that I owe money? What if I don’t receive this notification?

A Notice of Fine and Due Date is automatically generated once a conviction is registered against you. The notice is then mailed to the address listed on the ticket, unless you have notified the court of an address change.

Please Note: Changing your address with the MTO does NOT update your address with the court.
The Notice of Fine and Due Date letter is forwarded as a courtesy only. If you do not receive the notice, the full amount outstanding (including Victim Fine Surcharge + court costs) is still required and must be paid in full by the due date in order to avoid enforcement and additional costs.

The ticket issued to you by the officer is your formal notification that a charge has been laid and you must choose an option within 15 days and follow up with the court regarding the status of the charge.

What are the two different fine amounts on my ticket? What is a Victim Fine Surcharge?

The lesser amount is the legislated set fine for the offence in which you have been charged. The higher amount is the Total Payable, which must be paid. The total payable is inclusive of the set fine relating to the offence you have been charged, court costs and the victim fine surcharge.

Court costs are authorized by Section 60 of the Provincial Offences Act and the amount is set by regulation. These costs are a set amount to be paid by the defendant for:

The service of the offence notice and/or summons
Rending of any conviction of an offence
And/or other costs ordered by the Justice of the Peace

The Victim Fine Surcharge (VFS) is imposed by the provincial government and is added to every fine imposed under the Provincial Offences Act in Ontario. It is credited to a special fund to assist victims of crime.
For further information on Victim Fine Surcharge visit: www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/000161

Who can issue Provincial Offences Notices (tickets)?

There are several enforcement agencies in the Brantford service area who can issue charges, including but not limited to;

Ontario Provincial Police Service
Brantford Police Service
Six Nations Police Service
Brantford Fire Department
City of Brantford and Brant County By-law Enforcement
City of Brantford and Brant County Licensing and Property Standards
Various Ministries within the Province of Ontario; such as Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Finance

Why am I getting calls from a Collections Agency? Who are they?

If you are receiving phone calls from a collections agency by the name of Partners in Credit, they are contacting you about an outstanding fine that you may have with the Brantford Provincial Offences Court Office.
If you require more information, please contact our office at 519-751-9100 or email us at brantfordpoa@brantford.ca

How do demerit points work?

The demerit point system is administered by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO/Service Ontario). Demerit points are attached to the specific charge in which you face, and therefore it is not possible to reduce the number of demerit points unless the charge is amended.

For driver and vehicle information call the local MTO/Service Ontario office at (519) 753-0352 or visit the office located at 325-A West Street, Brantford or visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/understanding-demerit-points.

How do I find out if I have any outstanding fines?

Call or visit the Provincial Offences Court Office to find out if you have outstanding fines and how much in fines you owe. Be sure to have some photo ID with you so court representatives may better assist you.

You may obtain this information by contacting the office at 519-751-9100 or e-mail us at brantfordpoa@brantford.ca or attend in person to:

Brantford Provincial Offences Court Office
102 Wellington Street
Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2M3

What if I need more time to pay a Provincial Offences fine?

Newly issued tickets
If you have received a ticket but need more time to pay the total payable then the allotted 15 days, Option # 2 is available if you wish to plead guilty to the charge. Upon your guilty plea before a Justice of the Peace you may make submissions to the court to request the fine amount be reduced and/or to be given longer time to pay the fine. A conviction will be registered for the offence indicated on your ticket. Option # 2 is available every Tuesday between 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. by attending in person to:

Brantford Provincial Offences Court Office
102 Wellington Street
Brantford, Ontario, N3T 2M3

After Notice of Fine and Due Date
If you are having difficulty paying your fine by the due date, visit the Provincial Offences Court Office before the due date and apply for a Motions for Extension of Time to Pay Fine. Include your ticket information, how much you have paid to date and the future date you would like it to get extended until. The Application is submitted to a Justice of the Peace for consideration. If your application is approved, you may be eligible to have your driver’s licence reinstated by the MTO/Service Ontario.

NOTE: The extension request will be reviewed in your absence. It is your responsibility to follow up with the court after two business days to see if the extension was granted or denied. You can contact the Court by e-mailing brantfordpoa@brantford.ca or calling 519-751-9100.

What if I missed my trial date and was convicted?

Part 1 Tickets
You must attend at the Provincial Offences Court within 15 days of becoming aware of your conviction and request a Reopening of your matter. You will be asked to fill out the forms and swear to an affidavit. The forms would then be forwarded to the Justice of the Peace for consideration. If granted, the conviction will be lifted from your driver’s abstract, and a new trial date scheduled. It is your responsibility to ensure the court has your current address so you receive your new trial date.

Part 3 Information
If you failed to appear in court in response to your summons you may have been convicted in your absence. You may be eligible for a new trial date if leave to appeal is granted by the Appeal Court Justice.

What if I cannot attend my court date? What can I do?

If you are unable to attend court, you have 2 options:

1. If you have not adjourned your court date previously, you may fill out an Adjournment of the First Trial Date form. This must be done in accordance to time restrictions and approved by the Municipal Prosecutor.

2. If you have adjourned your trial previously, you must file a Notice of Motion to request to have your trial date re-scheduled. You must serve the prosecutor with Notice of your Motion in advance of the trial date, pursuant to legislative time restrictions. Once your motion is filed with court administration, a court date will be selected whereby you must attend and request the adjournment before a Justice of the Peace.

If you are unable to attend your court date you may have a representative attend court and address the matter on your behalf. Your representative must be over the age of 16 years and have written authorization from you to appear for the purposes of requesting an adjournment. Failure to attend may result in a conviction being registered in your absence or a warrant issued for your arrest.

Can I pay my parking ticket at the Provincial Offences Office?

Parking tickets must be paid at the location indicated on the back of the ticket.
City of Brantford parking tickets can only be paid at the Parking Enforcement Office at:

City of Brantford Parking
Parking Enforcement Office
Market Centre Parkade
59 Icomm Drive
Brantford, Ontario N3S 7N5
Telephone: (519) 753-2311
www.brantford.ca/transportation/parking.aspx

The enforcement office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A mail drop at this location is accessible 24 hours a day.

Newly issued County of Brant Parking tickets must be paid at:

County of Brant Parking
26 Park Avenue
Burford, ON
N0E 1A0
Phone: 519-449-2451
Toll Free: 1-888-250-2295
Fax: 519-449-2454
www.brant.ca/en/county-government/contact-us.asp

If your County of Brant parking ticket is past due, you may be able to pay it at the Brantford Provincial Offences Court located at 102 Wellington Street. Contact the County of Brant Parking office to find out.

Can I wait and pay my fines when I renew my sticker for my plate or renew my driver’s licence?

Driving-related fines do not always affect your licence plate renewal, and therefore you should not wait until your sticker is due to be renewed to pay your fine(s). Your plate renewal may also be affected by other types of charges such as; parking tickets, Highway 407 Toll fees, or red light camera charges.

You must pay all other fines at a Provincial Offences Court Office. Failure to pay driving-related charges by the your due date may result in the suspension of your driver's licence.

Is the Brantford Courthouse accessible?

If you or someone that you represent requires services or accommodation in the courthouse, please contact:

Jason Carriere, Manager of Court Administration
519-759-4222 ext.5016
jcarriere@brantford.ca

Please ensure your request for accommodation is made as far in advance as possible in order to allow the court time to coordinate accordingly. A minimum of two weeks notice is recommended.

How do I appeal my conviction?

You must attend the court within 30 days of your conviction to complete the appeal documents.

If you are convicted at your trial and you do not agree with the Justice of the Peace's decision, you may file an appeal to the Ontario Court of Justice. You must attend the court in which the conviction was issued within 30 days of your conviction and complete the appeal documents.

Prior to filing an appeal the fine must be paid at any municipally operated Provincial Offences Court location and will be refunded if the appeal is successful. A recognizance must be applied for if a fine cannot be paid in advance. When filing an appeal, a transcript must be ordered if a trial was held.

Once a transcript is completed the Provincial Offences Court will contact the ordering party. You must then pick-up and file your transcript with the Appeal Court within 30 days of notification. Failure to do so may result in your Appeal Application being scheduled before the Appeal court and noted as abandoned.

Please refer to the Guide to Appeals for more information.