FAQ
In November 2000, the Province of Ontario transferred the responsibility for the administration and prosecution of provincial offences to the County of Northumberland. This transfer was part of the Province's strategy to realign provincial and municipal roles in the delivery of public services. As a result, the County was required to establish its own administration, courtrooms and prosecution services to deal with charges laid under the Provincial Offences Act.
- What does a Provincial Offences Court do?
- How to pay fines?
- What are provincial offences?
- What are the different types of provincial offence notices?
- Who can give out provincial offence notices or tickets?
- How many days do I have to respond once I receive a provincial offence ticket?
- Why are there two amounts on my ticket?
- What if I need more time to pay a provincial offence fine?
- How much do I owe in fines?
- I don't agree with the outcome of my trial, how do I get a new one?
- I just found out that my driver's license is suspended? Why? And, how do I get it back?
- How many demerit points do I have?
What does Provincial Offences Court do?
The Provincial Offences Court is the place for:
- payment of provincial offences fines
- provincial offences trials
- first attendance meetings
- walk-in pleas of guilty
- filing of Provincial Offences Act appeals and reopenings
- general inquiries about provincial offences
Fine payments may be paid in person, by mail or by phone or 
online at
To pay in person our office is located at the lower level of the Northumberland Municipal Building located at 860 William Street in Cobourg, Ontario. We accept cash, VISA, MasterCard, debit and personal cheques. Please note that N.S.F. cheques are subject to a $25.00 fee and will be referred to a private collection agency for collection.
To pay by mail please address the envelope to:
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 License 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 a premises after being directed to do so
Most provincial offences charges result in out-of-court fine payments. Citizens issued with provincial offences tickets should read them carefully for a complete list of their payment and trial options.
What are the different types of provincial offence notices?
There are three different types of provincial offences notices. A Part I notice is a ticket that is issued to an individual, a Part II notice is a parking infraction, and a Part III notice is a summons (including a court date).
Who can give out provincial offence notices or tickets?
There are a number of different types of charges that are covered under the Provincial Offences Act. As a result, there are many enforcement agencies in Northumberland County who can issue you a ticket, including, but not limited to the following:
- Cobourg & Port Hope Police Services
- Fire Departments
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ministry of Transportation
- Ministry of Environment
- Ministry of Labour
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Ministry of Health
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
How many days do I have to respond once I receive a provincial offence ticket?
Within 15 days, you must choose one of the following options:
Why are there two amounts on my ticket?
At the bottom of every ticket there are two different amounts shown, the set fine and the total payable. As stated to the right of the total payable amount, the difference between these two amounts is called a Victim Fine Surcharge. This surcharge is imposed by the provincial government and is added to every fine that is issued under the Provincial Offences Act. Proceeds from the surcharge will be used to maintain and expand services to victims of crime.
What if I need more time to pay a provincial offences fine?
If you need more time to pay a provincial offences fine, visit the Provincial Offences Court office and complete the prescribed form for an extension of time to pay the fine. This form will require you to fill in all of the information regarding you ticket including how much you have paid so far and a specific date that you would like it extended to.
Notification of the approval or denial of the extension application is not sent to you and it is your responsibility to contact the POA administration office within 3-5 business days to request this information.
To find out how much you owe in fines, call or visit your local Provincial Offences Court office. You should have the offence notice number, file number or your driver's license ready, so that one of our client service representatives can assist you.
I don't agree with the outcome of my trial, how do I get a new one?
After you are convicted at your trial and you do not agree with the Justice of the Peace's decision, the only way for you to get a new trial is to file an appeal with the Superior Court office. You will need to complete all of the necessary appeal forms and submit them to the office (within 15 days after you are convicted for Part I and Part II offences or within 30 days after you are convicted for a Part III summons to court). Forms can be obtained at the Provincial Offences office but must be filed with the Superior Court.
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I just found out that my driver's license is suspended, why? And, how do I get it back?
If you fail to pay a Part I or Part III fine and you have not requested an extension of time to pay or your due date has passed, your driver's license will be suspended and a $20.00 fee is added to your fine. You will be notified of this suspension by a letter from the Ministry of Transportation. In order to get your driver's license back you will first need to pay all fines that are holding it under suspension, at any Provincial Offences Court office. Then take the receipt that you receive after payment to any Ministry of Transportation (MTO) office, show them your receipt and pay them the $150.00 reinstatement fee that is mentioned in the letter. Your licence should be reinstated within three to four days and you will receive it back in the mail. You should check with the MTO before you start driving, just to ensure that everything went through.
How many demerit points do I have?
The demerit point system is administered by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). For driver and vehicle information, you should contact your local MTO office.
