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Guiding Principles of the Provincial Offences are to respect and adhere to Judicial independence, maintain public confidence in the Judicial system, fairness and natural justice shall be affirmed and upheld, that the courts are separate from Prosecution and Enforcement and continue to operate independently and free from political intervention. |
Ontario Court of Justice Provincial Offences
Provincial Offences Act (POA) Office and Court
On June 19th 2000 the Corporation of the County of Hastings accepted the transfer and responsibility of administrative duties, including Part I prosecution of the Provincial Offences Act from the Province of Ontario, the Ministry of the Attorney General. This transfer was part of the Province’s strategy to realign Provincial and Municipal roles in the delivery of public services.
The Provincial Offences Act (POA) is a procedural law for administering and prosecuting provincial offences, including offences created under municipal by-law and minor federal offences designated as contraventions. The POA provisions govern all aspects from serving notices to a defendant to conducting trials. Provincial Offences are non-criminal charges, primarily issued by the police, and include but not limited to the following Acts:
- Highway Traffic Act- such as speeding, careless driving, fail to wear seatbelt assembly
- Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act-such as failing to surrender insurance card or possessing an invalid insurance card
- Liquor Licence Act- such as being intoxicated in a public place, selling alcohol to a minor
- Trespass to Property Act- such as entering premise when entry is prohibited, failing to leave premises as directed to do so.
The Justice of the Peace is responsible for the proceedings of provincial offences matters and the conduct of these proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice.
The Provincial Offences office is responsible for providing administrative services, Court Support, Prosecution of Part I offences, Enforcement and Collections.
Our mission statement is to preserve and maintain the integrity of the Ontario Court of Justice and its POA administrative processes by ensuring the accessibility of a fair justice system without prejudice or compromise. And to provide excellent service to stakeholders utilizing the judicial system within Hastings County.
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