Ontario Police College Provincial Offences Act Study Guide PDF

PROVINCIAL STATUTES PROVINCIAL OFFENSES ACT STUDY GUIDE BASIC CONSTABLE TRAINING Permanent members of the Academic Instructional Staff at the Ontario Police College have designed and prepared the following material. It is for the benefit and convenience of law enforcement personnel attending the...

PROVINCIAL STATUTES PROVINCIAL OFFENSES ACT STUDY GUIDE BASIC CONSTABLE TRAINING Permanent members of the Academic Instructional Staff at the Ontario Police College have designed and prepared the following material. It is for the benefit and convenience of law enforcement personnel attending the Basic Constable Training Course. Excerpts of relevant statutes are included for study purposes only. For official determination, refer to the Act itself or other legal publication. This document was prepared at the Ontario Police College. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and providence of the material. If you have concerns about this material, or if you find any errors or omissions, please notify: Subject Coordinator for Provincial Statutes Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Ontario Police College 10716 Hacienda Road Aylmer, Ontario N5H 2T2 Telephone: (519) 773-5361 Facsimile: (519) 773-8225 Created: Validated: Jan/Mar 2012 Updated: Nov 2009, Oct 2010, May/Jun/Jul 2011, Apr 2013 Other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. This document contains proprietary and confidential information about Government of Ontario, disclosure or reproduction is prohibited without the prior express written permission from Government of Ontario. Government of Ontario reserves the right to make changes in the information contained in this publication without prior notice. The reader should in all cases consult the Director of the Ontario Police College to determine whether any such changes have been made. © 2014 Government of Ontario. All rights reserved. Table of Contents PROVINCIAL OFFENCES ACT ............................................................................................................................ 1 EXCERPTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 INTERPRETATION ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Designation of Provincial Offences Officers................................................................................................ 1 Purpose of Act ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Interpretation ............................................................................................................................................. 2 PART I .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS BY CERTIFICATE OF OFFENCE ............................................................. 2 Certificate of Offence .................................................................................................................................. 2 Issuance and Service ................................................................................................................................... 2 Service ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Signature ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 Certificate of Service ................................................................................................................................... 2 Affidavit of Service ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Certificate as Evidence ................................................................................................................................ 3 Officer Not to Act as Agent ......................................................................................................................... 3 Filing of Certificate of Offence .................................................................................................................... 3 Having a trial ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Notice of intention to appear in offence notice ......................................................................................... 3 Notice of intention to appear to be filed in person .................................................................................... 4 Specified court office .................................................................................................................................. 4 Notice of trial .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Rescheduling time of trial ........................................................................................................................... 4 Availability of meeting procedure .............................................................................................................. 4 Option for meeting with the prosecutor .................................................................................................... 4 Notice of meeting time ............................................................................................................................... 4 Rescheduling the meeting time .................................................................................................................. 5 Notice of rescheduled meeting time .......................................................................................................... 5 Meeting by electronic method ................................................................................................................... 5 Agreement on plea of guilty and submissions ............................................................................................ 5 Appearance before justice .......................................................................................................................... 5 Conviction ................................................................................................................................................... 5 If no justice available .................................................................................................................................. 6 Notice of trial .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Rescheduling time of trial ........................................................................................................................... 6 Plea of guilty with submissions ................................................................................................................... 6 Submissions under oath .............................................................................................................................. 6 Payment out of court .................................................................................................................................. 6 Effect of payment........................................................................................................................................ 7 Failure to Respond to Offence Notice......................................................................................................... 7 Action by justice .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Conviction without proof of by-law ............................................................................................................ 7 Deemed not to dispute charge ................................................................................................................... 7 Action by justice .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Conviction without proof of by-law ............................................................................................................ 8 Where Conviction Without Proof of By-law ............................................................................................... 8 Failure to appear at trial ............................................................................................................................. 8 Examination by justice ................................................................................................................................ 8 Quashing proceeding .................................................................................................................................. 8 Signature on Notice .................................................................................................................................... 8 Application to strike out conviction ............................................................................................................ 9 Striking out the conviction ...................................................................................................................... 9 If conviction struck out ........................................................................................................................... 9 Rescheduling time of trial ........................................................................................................................... 9 Certificate .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Error by municipality ................................................................................................................................... 9 Striking out conviction ................................................................................................................................ 9 Notice to defendant .................................................................................................................................. 10 Penalty ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Other Consequences of Conviction .......................................................................................................... 10 Transitional ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Regulations................................................................................................................................................ 10 Sufficiency of Abbreviated Wording ......................................................................................................... 10 Same.......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Same, Attorney General............................................................................................................................ 11 Failure to appear at trial ........................................................................................................................... 11 PART III .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDING ............................................................................................................. 11 BY INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................................... 11 Commencement of Proceeding by Information ....................................................................................... 11 Exception................................................................................................................................................... 11 Summons Before Information Laid ........................................................................................................... 11 Information ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Multiple defendants.................................................................................................................................. 12 Same.......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Procedure on Laying of Information ......................................................................................................... 12 Summons or Warrants in Blank ................................................................................................................ 12 Counts ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Allegation of Offence ................................................................................................................................ 12 Reference to Statutory Provision .............................................................................................................. 13 More Than One Count .............................................................................................................................. 13 Particulars of Count .................................................................................................................................. 13 Sufficiency ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Same.......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Need to Negative Exception, etc............................................................................................................... 14 Summons .................................................................................................................................................. 14 Service ....................................................................................................................................................... 14 Service Outside Ontario ............................................................................................................................ 14 Service on Corporation ............................................................................................................................. 15 Date of mailed service .............................................................................................................................. 15 Substitutional Service ............................................................................................................................... 15 Proof of Service ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Contents of Warrant ................................................................................................................................. 15 Same.......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Territorial jurisdiction ............................................................................................................................... 16 PART IV .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 TRIAL AND SENTENCING ............................................................................................................................... 16 Trial ........................................................................................................................................................... 16 Penalty for Failure to Attend .................................................................................................................... 16 Proof of Failure to Attend ......................................................................................................................... 16 Evidence Taken on Another Charge .......................................................................................................... 16 Certificate as Evidence .............................................................................................................................. 17 Burden of Proving Exception, etc.............................................................................................................. 17 Certified evidence ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Application ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Admissibility of certified evidence ............................................................................................................ 17 Other provisions on admissibility ............................................................................................................. 17 Onus .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 No oral evidence ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Regulations................................................................................................................................................ 18 Compelling Attendance of Defendant ...................................................................................................... 18 Excluding Defendant From Hearing .......................................................................................................... 18 Excluding Public From Hearing ................................................................................................................. 18 Prohibition of Publication of Evidence...................................................................................................... 18 Conviction in the Absence of the Defendant ............................................................................................ 19 Proceeding arising from failure to appear ................................................................................................ 19 Included Offences ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Sentencing................................................................................................................................................. 19 Pre-sentence Report ............................................................................................................................. 19 Inability to pay .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Probation Order ........................................................................................................................................ 23 Statutory Conditions of Order .................................................................................................................. 23 Conditions Imposed by Court ................................................................................................................... 24 Form of Order ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Notice of Order ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Regulations For Community Service Orders ............................................................................................. 24 Breach of Probation Order ........................................................................................................................ 24 PART V ........................................................................................................................................................... 25 GENERAL PROVISIONS .................................................................................................................................. 25 Limitation .................................................................................................................................................. 25 Extension ................................................................................................................................................... 25 Parties to Offence ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Common Purpose ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Counselling ................................................................................................................................................ 26 Same.......................................................................................................................................................... 26 PART VI .......................................................................................................................................................... 26 YOUNG PERSONS .......................................................................................................................................... 26 Interpretation ........................................................................................................................................... 26 Minimum Age............................................................................................................................................ 27 Offence Notice Not to be Used ................................................................................................................. 27 Notice to Parent ........................................................................................................................................ 27 Where no Notice Given ............................................................................................................................. 27 Saving ........................................................................................................................................................ 27 Sentence Where Proceedings Commenced by Certificate ....................................................................... 27 s.s. 12(2) Applies Where Proceedings Initiated by Summons .................................................................. 28 Young Person to be Present at Trial.......................................................................................................... 28 Court May Permit Absence ....................................................................................................................... 28 Application of s.s. 42, 54 ........................................................................................................................... 28 Failure of Young Person to Appear ........................................................................................................... 28 Compelling Young Person’s Attendance ................................................................................................... 28 Identity of Young Person Not to be Published .......................................................................................... 28 Offence ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Pre-sentence Report ................................................................................................................................. 29 Pre-sentence Report Mandatory Where Imprisonment Considered ....................................................... 29 Penalties Limited ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Sentence Where Proceedings Commenced by Information..................................................................... 30 Term of Probation Order .......................................................................................................................... 30 No Imprisonment for Non-payment of Fine ............................................................................................. 30 Probation Order in Lieu of Imprisonment................................................................................................. 30 Term of Probation Order .......................................................................................................................... 30 Open Custody............................................................................................................................................ 30 Evidence of Young Person’s Age ............................................................................................................... 30 Appeal ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 Arrest Without Warrant Limited ............................................................................................................... 31 Section 149 Does Not Apply...................................................................................................................... 31 Release After Arrest by Officer ................................................................................................................. 31 Release by Officer in Charge ..................................................................................................................... 31 Notice to Parent ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Sections 150 and 151 Apply ...................................................................................................................... 32 Place of Custody ........................................................................................................................................ 32 Same.......................................................................................................................................................... 32 Functions of Justice of Peace Limited ....................................................................................................... 32 PART VII ......................................................................................................................................................... 33 ARREST, BAIL AND SEARCH WARRANTS ....................................................................................................... 33 Arrest ........................................................................................................................................................ 33 Officer in Charge ................................................................................................................................... 33 Execution of Warrant ............................................................................................................................ 33 Same...................................................................................................................................................... 33 Arrest Without Warrant ........................................................................................................................ 33 Use of Force .......................................................................................................................................... 33 Use of Force by Citizen.......................................................................................................................... 33 Immunity From Civil Liability ................................................................................................................ 34 Production of Process ........................................................................................................................... 34 Notice of Reason for Arrest .................................................................................................................. 34 Bail............................................................................................................................................................. 34 Release After Arrest by Officer ............................................................................................................. 34 Release by Officer in Charge ................................................................................................................. 35 Cash Bail by Non-resident ..................................................................................................................... 35 Person in Custody to be Brought Before Justice................................................................................... 35 Order for Conditional Release .............................................................................................................. 35 Same...................................................................................................................................................... 36 Order for Detention .............................................................................................................................. 36 Reasons ................................................................................................................................................. 36 Evidence at Hearing .............................................................................................................................. 36 Adjournments ....................................................................................................................................... 36 Alternative to physical presence........................................................................................................... 36 Consent required .................................................................................................................................. 37 Expediting Trial of Person in Custody ................................................................................................... 37 Further Orders ...................................................................................................................................... 37 Appeal ................................................................................................................................................... 37 Search Warrant ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Expiration .............................................................................................................................................. 37 When to be Executed ............................................................................................................................ 38 Detention of Things Seized ................................................................................................................... 38 Detention pending appeal, etc. ............................................................................................................ 38 Time Limit for Detention ....................................................................................................................... 38 Motion for Examination and Copying ................................................................................................... 38 Motion for Release ............................................................................................................................... 38 Appeal Where Order by Justice of the Peace ....................................................................................... 39 PROVINCIAL OFFENCES ACT EXCERPTS INTERPRETATION 1. (1) In this Act, “certificate” means a certificate of offence issued under Part I or a certificate of parking infraction issued under Part II; “court” means the Ontario Court (Provincial Division); “judge” means a provincial judge; “justice” means a provincial judge or a justice of the peace; “offence” means an offence under an Act of the Legislature or under a regulation or by-law made under the authority of an Act of the Legislature; “police officer” means a chief of police or other police officer but does not include a special constable or by-law enforcement officer; “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules of court; “prosecutor” means the Attorney General or, where the Attorney General does not intervene, means the person who issues a certificate or lays an information and includes counsel or agent acting on behalf of either of them; “provincial offences officer” means, (a) a police officer, (b) a constable appointed pursuant to any Act, (c) a municipal law enforcement officer referred to in subsection 101 (4) of the Municipal Act, 2001 or in subsection 79 (1) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, while in the discharge of his or her duties, (d) a by-law enforcement officer of any municipality or of any local board of any municipality, while in the discharge of his or her duties, (e) an officer, employee or agent of any municipality or of any local board of any municipality whose responsibilities include the enforcement of a by-law, an Act or a regulation under an Act, while in the discharge of his or her duties, or (f) a person designated under subsection (3); “set fine” means the amount of fine set by the Chief Judge of the Ontario Court (Provincial Division) for an offence for the purpose of proceedings commenced under Part I or II. (2) In this Act, “municipality” includes a regional, district or metropolitan municipality. Designation of Provincial Offences Officers (3) A minister of the Crown may designate in writing any person or class of persons as a provincial offences officer for the purposes of all or any class of offences. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 1 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Purpose of Act 2. (1) The purpose of this Act is to replace the summary conviction procedure for the prosecution of provincial offences, including the provisions adopted by reference to the Criminal Code, with a procedure that reflects the distinction between provincial offences and criminal offences. Interpretation (2) Where, as an aid to the interpretation of provisions of this Act, recourse is had to the judicial interpretation of and practices under corresponding provisions of the Criminal Code, any variation in wording without change in substance shall not, in itself, be construed to intend a change of meaning. PART I COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS BY CERTIFICATE OF OFFENCE Certificate of Offence 3. (1) In addition to the procedure set out in Part III for commencing a proceeding by laying an information, a proceeding in respect of an offence may be commenced by filing a certificate of offence alleging the offence in the office of the court. Issuance and Service (2) A provincial offences officer who believes that one or more persons have committed an offence may issue, by completing and signing in the form prescribed under section 13, (a) a certificate of offence certifying that an offence has been committed; and (b) either an offence notice indicating the set fine for the offence or a summons. Service (3) The offence notice or summons shall be served personally upon the person charged within thirty days after the alleged offence occurred. Signature (4) Repealed. Certificate of Service (5) Where service is made by the provincial offences officer who issued the certificate of offence, the officer shall certify on the certificate of offence that he or she personally served the offence notice or summons on the person charged and the date of service. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 2 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Affidavit of Service (6) Where service is made by a person other than the provincial offences officer who issued the certificate of offence, he or she shall complete an affidavit of service in the prescribed form. Certificate as Evidence (7) A certificate of service of an offence notice or summons purporting to be signed by the provincial offences officer issuing it or an affidavit of service under subsection (6) shall be received in evidence and is proof of personal service in the absence of evidence to the contrary. Officer Not to Act as Agent (8) The provincial offences officer who serves an offence notice or summons under this section shall not receive payment of any money in respect of a fine, or receive the offence notice for delivery to the court. Filing of Certificate of Offence 4. A certificate of offence shall be filed in the office of the court as soon as is practicable, but no later than seven days after service of the offence notice or summons. Note: The certificate of offence must be filed with the court no more than seven days after the offence notice or summons was served, unless the time is extended by the court (O. Reg. 200/90; s.11). Having a trial 5. (1) A defendant who is served with an offence notice may give notice of intention to appear in court for the purpose of entering a plea and having a trial of the matter. Notice of intention to appear in offence notice (2) If the offence notice includes a part with a notice of intention to appear, the defendant must give notice of intention to appear by, (a) completing the notice of intention to appear part of the offence notice; and (b) delivering the offence notice to the court office specified in it in the manner provided in the offence notice. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 3 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Notice of intention to appear to be filed in person (3) If the offence notice requires the notice of intention to appear to be filed in person, the defendant must give the notice of intention to appear by, (a) (b) attending in person or by representative at the court office specified in the offence notice at the time or times specified in the offence notice; and filing a notice of intention to appear in the form prescribed under section 13 with the clerk of the court. Specified court office (4) A notice of intention to appear under subsection (3) is not valid if the defendant files the notice of intention to appear at a court office other than the one specified on the offence notice. Notice of trial (5) Where a notice of intention to appear is received under subsection (2) or (3), the clerk of the court shall, as soon as is practicable, give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the time and place of the trial. Rescheduling time of trial (6) The clerk of the court may, for administrative reasons, reschedule the time of the trial by giving a revised notice to the defendant and the prosecutor within 21 days of giving the notice referred to in subsection (5). Availability of meeting procedure 5.1 (1) This section applies where the offence notice requires the notice of intention to appear to be filed in person in the form prescribed under section 13. Option for meeting with the prosecutor (2) Instead of filing a notice of intention to appear under subsection 5 (3), a defendant may request a meeting with the prosecutor to discuss the resolution of the offence by, (a) (b) indicating that request on the offence notice; and delivering the offence notice to the court office specified on it within 15 days after the defendant was served with the offence notice. Notice of meeting time (3) Where a defendant requests a meeting with the prosecutor under subsection (2), the clerk of the court shall, as soon as is practicable, give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the time and place of their meeting. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 4 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Rescheduling the meeting time (4) If the time for the meeting scheduled in the notice under subsection (3) is not suitable for the defendant, the defendant may, at least two days before the scheduled time of the meeting, deliver to the clerk of the court one written request to reschedule the time for the meeting and the clerk shall arrange a new meeting time to take place within 30 days of the time scheduled in the notice under subsection (3). Notice of rescheduled meeting time (5) Where a meeting time is rescheduled under subsection (4), the clerk of the court shall, as soon as is practicable, give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the rescheduled time and the place of their meeting. Meeting by electronic method (6) The defendant and the prosecutor may, if unable to attend in person because of remoteness, attend their meeting by electronic method in accordance with section 83.1 Agreement on plea of guilty and submissions (7) At their meeting, the defendant and the prosecutor may agree that, (a) (b) the defendant will enter a guilty plea to the offence or a substituted offence; and the defendant and the prosecutor will make submissions as to penalty, including an extension of time for payment. Appearance before justice (8) If an agreement is reached under subsection (7), the defendant shall, as directed by the prosecutor, (a) (b) appear with the prosecutor before a justice sitting in court and orally enter the plea and make submissions; or appear without the prosecutor before a justice sitting in court within 10 days, enter the plea orally and make the submissions in the form determined by the regulations. Conviction (9) Upon receiving the plea and submissions under subsection (8), the justice may, (a) (b) require the prosecutor to appear and speak to the submissions, if the submissions were submitted under clause (8) (b); and enter a conviction and impose the set fine or such other fine as is permitted by law in respect of the offence for which the plea was entered. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 5 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 If no justice available (10) If no justice is available after the meeting to conduct the proceeding under clause (8) (a), the clerk of the court shall, as soon as practicable, give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the time and place for their joint appearance before a justice. Notice of trial (11) The clerk of the court shall, as soon as is practicable, give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the time and place of the trial if, (a) (b) an agreement is not reached under subsection (7); or the justice does not accept the guilty plea and refers the matter to trial. Rescheduling time of trial (12) The clerk of the court may, for administrative reasons, reschedule the time of the trial by giving a revised notice to the defendant and the prosecutor within 21 days of giving the notice referred to subsection (11). 6. Repealed Plea of guilty with submissions 7. (1) A defendant who does not have the option of meeting with the prosecutor under section 5.1 and does not wish to dispute the charge in the offence notice, but wishes to make submissions as to penalty, including an extension of time for payment, may attend at the time and place specified in the notice and may appear before a justice sitting in court for the purpose of pleading guilty to the offence and making submissions as to penalty, and the justice may enter a conviction and impose the set fine or such lesser fine as is permitted by law. Submissions under oath (2) The justice may require submissions under subsection (1) to be made under oath, orally or by affidavit. Payment out of court 8. (1) A defendant who does not wish to dispute the charge in the offence notice may, in the manner indicated on the offence notice, pay the set fine and all applicable costs and surcharges fixed by the regulations. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 6 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Effect of payment (2) Acceptance by the court office of payment under subsection (1) constitutes, (a) (b) (c) a plea of guilty by the defendant; conviction of the defendant for the offence; and imposition of a fine in the amount of the set fine for the offence. Failure to Respond to Offence Notice 9. (1) A defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute the charge where, (a) (b) (c) at least 15 days have elapsed after the defendant was served with the offence notice and the defendant did not give notice of intention to appear under section 5, did not request a meeting with the prosecutor in accordance with section 5.1 and did not plead guilty under section 7 or 8; the defendant requested a meeting with the prosecutor in accordance with section 5.1 but did not attend the scheduled meeting with the prosecutor; or the defendant reached an agreement with the prosecutor under subsection 5.1 (7) but did not appear at a sentencing hearing with a justice under subsection 5.1 (8). Action by justice (2) Where a defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute the charge, a justice shall examine the certificate of offence and shall, (a) (b) where the certificate of offence is complete and regular on its face, enter a conviction in the defendant’s absence and without a hearing and impose the set fine for the offence; or where the certificate of offence is not complete and regular on its face, quash the proceeding. Conviction without proof of by-law (3) Where the offence is in respect of an offence under a by-law of a municipality, the justice shall enter a conviction under clause (2) (a) without proof of the by-law that creates the offence if the certificate of offence is complete and regular on its face. Deemed not to dispute charge 9. (1) A defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute the charge where, (a) (b) (c) at least 15 days have elapsed after the defendant was served with the offence notice and the defendant did not give notice of intention to appear under section 5, did not request a meeting with the prosecutor in accordance with section 5.1 and did not plead guilty under section 7 or 8; the defendant requested a meeting with the prosecutor in accordance with section 5.1 but did not attend the scheduled meeting with the prosecutor; or the defendant reached an agreement with the prosecutor under subsection 5.1 (7) but did not appear at a sentencing hearing with a justice under subsection 5.1 (8). Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 7 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Action by justice (2) Where a defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute the charge, a justice shall examine the certificate of offence and shall, (a) (b) where the certificate of offence is complete and regular on its face, enter a conviction in the defendant’s absence and without a hearing and impose the set fine for the offence; or where the certificate of offence is not complete and regular on its face, quash the proceeding. Conviction without proof of by-law (3) Where the offence is in respect of an offence under a by-law of a municipality, the justice shall enter a conviction under clause (2) (a) without proof of the by-law that creates the offence if the certificate of offence is complete and regular on its face. Where Conviction Without Proof of By-law (2) Where a defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute a charge under subsection (1) in respect of an offence under a by-law of a municipality, the justice shall enter a conviction under clause (1)(a) without proof of the by-law that creates the offence if the certificate or offence is complete and regular on its face. Failure to appear at trial 9.1 (1) A defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute the charge where the defendant has been issued a notice of the time and place of trial and fails to appear at the time and place appointed for the trial. Examination by justice (2) If subsection (1) applies, section 54 does not apply, and a justice shall examine the certificate of offence and shall without a hearing enter a conviction in the defendant’s absence and impose the set fine for the offence if the certificate is complete and regular on its face. Quashing proceeding (3) The justice shall quash the proceeding if he or she is not able to enter a conviction. Signature on Notice 10. A signature on an offence notice or notice of intention to appear purporting to be that of the defendant is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that it is the signature of the defendant. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 8 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Application to strike out conviction 11. (1) A defendant who was convicted without a hearing may, within 15 days of becoming aware of the conviction, apply to a justice to strike out the conviction. Striking out the conviction (2) Upon application under subsection (1), a justice shall strike out a conviction if satisfied by affidavit of the defendant that, through no fault of the defendant, the defendant was unable to appear for a hearing or for a meeting under section 5.1 or the defendant did not receive delivery of a notice or document relating to the offence. If conviction struck out (3) If the justice strikes out the conviction, the justice shall, (a) (b) (c) proceed under section 7, if the offence notice does not require the notice of intention to appear to be filed in person and the defendant wishes to proceed under that section; direct the clerk of the court to give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the time and place of their meeting under subsection 5.1 (3), if the offence notice requires the notice of intention to appear to be filed in person and the defendant wishes to proceed under that section; or direct the clerk of the court to give notice to the defendant and the prosecutor of the time and place of the trial. Rescheduling time of trial (4) The clerk of the court may, for administrative reasons, reschedule the time of the trial by giving a revised notice to the defendant and the prosecutor within 21 days of giving the notice referred to clause (3) (c). Certificate (5) A justice who strikes out a conviction under subsection (2) shall give the defendant a certificate of the fact in the prescribed form. Error by municipality 11.1 (1) A municipality or other body may apply to a justice requesting that a conviction be struck out if the defendant was convicted because of an error made by the municipality or other body. Striking out conviction (2) On an application by a municipality or other body, if a justice is satisfied that an error was made, the justice shall strike out the conviction. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 9 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Notice to defendant (3) If the justice strikes out the conviction, the municipality or other body shall notify the defendant of that fact. Penalty 12. (1) Where the penalty prescribed for an offence includes a fine of more than $1000 or imprisonment and proceedings are taken under this Part, the provision for fine or imprisonment does not apply and in lieu thereof the offence is punishable by a fine of not more than the maximum fine prescribed for the offence or $1000, whichever is the lesser. Other Consequences of Conviction (2) Where a person is convicted of an offence in a proceeding initiated by an offence notice, (a) (b) a provision in or under any other Act that provides for an action or result following upon a conviction of an offence does not apply to the conviction, except, i) for the purpose of carrying out the sentence imposed; ii) for the purpose of recording and proving the conviction; iii) for the purposes of the demerit point system under the Highway Traffic Act; iv) for the purposes of section 47 of the Highway Traffic Act; and v) for the purposes of section 16 of the Tobacco Control Act, 1994; and any thing seized in connection with the offence after the service of the offence notice is not liable to forfeiture. Transitional 12. (1.1) Subsection (1) applies only to an offence committed on or after the day subsection 1 (18) of Schedule 4 to the Good Government Act, 2009 comes into force. Regulations 13. (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations, (a) (b) (c) (d) repealed. See: 2011, c. 1, Sched. 1, ss. 7 (1), 11 (2).; authorizing the use in a form prescribed under clause (1.1) (a) of any word or expression to designate an offence; repealed. See: 2011, c. 1, Sched. 1, ss. 7 (3), 11 (2). repealed. See: 2009, c. 33, Sched. 4, ss. 1 (20), 5 (4). Sufficiency of Abbreviated Wording (2) The use on a form prescribed under clause (1.1) (a) of any word or expression authorized by the regulations to designate an offence is sufficient for all purposes to describe the offence designated by such word or expression. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 10 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Same (3) Where the regulations do not authorize the use of a word or expression to describe an offence in a form prescribed under clause (1.1) (a), the offence may be described in accordance with section 25. Same, Attorney General 13. (1.1) The Attorney General may make regulations, (a) (b) prescribing the form of certificates of offence, offence notices and summonses and such other forms as are considered necessary under this Part; respecting any matter that is considered necessary to provide for the use of the forms under this Part. Failure to appear at trial 18.4 (1) A defendant is deemed to not wish to dispute the charge where the defendant has been issued a notice of the time and place of trial and fails to appear at the time and place appointed for the trial. PART III COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDING BY INFORMATION Commencement of Proceeding by Information 21. (1) In addition to the procedure set out in Parts I and II for commencing a proceeding by the filing of a certificate, a proceeding in respect of an offence may be commenced by laying an information. Exception (2) Where a summons or offence notice has been served under Part I, no proceeding shall be commenced under subsection (1) in respect of the same offence except with the consent of the Attorney General or his or her agent. Summons Before Information Laid 22. Where a provincial offences officer believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, that a person whom the officer finds at or near the place where the offence was committed has committed an offence, he or she may, before an information is laid, serve the person with a summons in the prescribed form. (Form 104, O. Reg. 200) Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 11 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Information 23. (1) Any person who, on reasonable and probable grounds, believes that one or more persons have committed an offence may lay an information in the prescribed form and under oath before a justice alleging the offence and the justice shall receive the information. Multiple defendants (1.1) For greater certainty, an information laid under subsection (1) may include one or more persons. Same (2) An information may be laid anywhere in Ontario. Procedure on Laying of Information 24. (1) A justice who receives an information laid under section 23 shall consider the information and, where he or she considers it desirable to do so, hear and consider in the absence of the defendant the allegations of the informant and the evidence of witnesses and, (a) (b) where he considers that a case for so doing is made out, i) confirm the summons served under section 22, if any, ii) issue a summons in the prescribed form, or iii) where the arrest is authorized by statute and where the allegations of the informant or the evidence satisfy the justice on reasonable and probable grounds that it is necessary in the public interest to do so, issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant; or where he or she considers that a case for issuing process is not made out, i) so endorse the information, and ii) where a summons was served under section 22, cancel it and cause the defendant to be so notified. Summons or Warrants in Blank (2) A justice shall not sign a summons or warrant in blank. Counts 25. (1) Each offence charged in an information shall be set out in a separate count. Allegation of Offence (2) Each count in an information shall in general apply to a single transaction and shall contain and is sufficient if it contains in substance a statement that the defendant committed an offence therein specified. Provincial Statutes – Provincial Offences Act 12 Rev 1 - Jan 09, 2014 Reference to Statutory Provision (3) Where in a count an offence is identified but the count fails to set out one or more of the essential elements of the offence, a reference to the provision creating or defining the offence shall be deemed to incorporate all the essential elements of the offence. (4) The statement referred to in subsection (2) may be, (a) (b) (c) in popular language without technical averments or allegations of matters that are not essential to be proved; in the words of the enactment that describes the offence; or in words that are sufficient to give to the defendant notice of the offence with which the defendant is charged. More Than One Count (5) Any number of counts for any number of offences may be joined in the same information. Particulars of Count (6) A count shall contain sufficient detail of the circumstances of the alleged offence to give to the defendant reasonable information with respect to the act or omission to be proved against the defendant and to identify the transaction referred to. Sufficiency (7) No count in an information is insufficient by reason of the absence of details where, in the opinion of the court, the count otherwise fulfils the requirements of this section and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, no count in an information is insufficient by reason only that, (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) it does not name the person affected by the offence or intended or attempted to be affected; it does not name the person who owns or has a special property or interest in property mentioned in the count; it charges an intent in relation to another person without naming or describing the other person; it does not set out any writing that is the subject of the charge; it does not set out the words used where words that are alleged to have been used are the subject of the charge; it does not specify the means by which the alleged offence was committed; it does not name or describe with precision any person, place, thing or time; or it does not, where the consent of a person, official or authority