POA Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTIONS
What does a Provincial Offences Court do?
Who can give out provincial offence notices/tickets?
Why are there two amounts on my ticket/notice?
What is the Victims Fine Surcharge?
ANSWERS
What does a Provincial Offences Court do?
A: The Provincial Offences Court is the place for:
- payment of provincial offence fines (except parking fines)
- provincial offence trials
- walk-in pleas of guilty
- filing of Provincial Offences Act appeals and re-openings
- general inquiries about provincial offences
A: Provincial offences are non-criminal charges, primarily laid by the police, including those committed under the following:
- Highway Traffic Act - such as speeding, careless driving, or not wearing your seatbelt
- Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act - such as failing to surrender your insurance card, or possessing a fake or invalid insurance card
- Liquor Licence Act - such as being intoxicated in a public place or selling alcohol to a minor
- Trespass to Property Act - such as entering premises when entry is prohibited or failing to leave premises after being directed to do so
- By-laws - such as infractions under City of Kingston and Frontenac County noise control, property standards and animal control by-laws
Most provincial offence charges result in guilty pleas and out-of-court fine payments. Citizens issued provincial offence notices/tickets should read them carefully for a complete list of their options regarding pleading guilty or not guilty, trial and payment.
Who can give out provincial offence notices/tickets?
A: There are a number of different types of charges covered under the Provincial Offences Act. As a result, there are many enforcement agencies in the City of Kingston and Frontenac County who can issue you a notice/ticket, including:
- Local Municipal By-law Enforcement
- Local Fire Department
- Kingston Police Force
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ministry of Transportation
- Ministry of the Environment
- Ministry of Labour
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Ministry of Health
Why are there two amounts on my ticket/notice?
A: At the bottom of every ticket, there are two different amounts shown - the set fine and the total payable.
What is the Victims Fine Surcharge?
A: Located to the right of the total payable amount on your ticket, the Victims Fine Surcharge is the difference between the set fine amount and the total payable amount. This surcharge is imposed by the provincial government and is added to every fine that is given under the Provincial Offences Act. Proceeds from the surcharge will be used by the province to maintain and expand services to victims of crime.
