Step 2: Request A Trial

Summary:

• Find the right office.
• How to complete the trial request form.
• When is the best time to go.
• If you move.
• How long will it take to schedule my trial?
• How to get a new trial date.
• First Attendance
• Reopenings

The information on the back of your ticket explains how to request a trial. Most of the information is incorrect. For example, the City of Toronto issues parking tickets with incorrect office hours printed on the back. For traffic violations they provide a telephone number (416-338-7320) to call to arrange an appointment with a prosecutor but when you call the first thing they tell you is that you can't do it.

So let's get the facts straight. It will save you time and aggravation.

Request a trial by mail or in person

Depending upon in which municipality you were ticketed, you may have the option of requesting a trial by mail. The easiest way to find out is to look on the back of your ticket. If the ticket allows you to sign the ticket and mail it in, then do it. Make sure you make a photocopy first.

However, in most urban centres, you will unfortunately have to go to the court office in person and fill out the form there. Relax, all you have to do is write down your name, address and telephone number. It's easy.

Parking tickets

Parking tickets are delivered to the municipal parking tag office. They do not handle traffic tickets. You have 15 days to request a trial. If you do not do it in time, the licence plate owner will receive a Notice of Impending Conviction in the mail. The owner will have another 15 days to request a trial.

If your ticket was issued in any of the these municipalities, you cannot request a trial by mail and must appear in person.

Traffic tickets

Traffic tickets must be taken within 15 days to the Provincial Offences Office listed on the back of the ticket. Up until 2010 you could take your ticket to any office in the province. However the Government of Ontario found that it was too convenient for you so they eliminated it!

If your ticket was issued in any of the these municipalities, you cannot request a trial by mail and must appear in person.

Additional offices

Both traffic ticket and parking ticket offices are operated by municipalities. Check your city's website for additional addresses beside the one on the back of your ticket.