Court Services

Court Information

• About the Court

  The Provincial Offences Act (POA) governs non-Criminal offences, such as the Highway Traffic Act, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, distracted driving, liquor licence violations, trespass to property, etc.

  Since 2001, under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Attorney General, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry is responsible for all court administration and court support functions under the Provincial Offences Act.

  The Justice of the Peace is responsible for the proceedings of provincial matters and the conduct of these proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice.  These include matters heard in the courtroom and in the Justice of the Peace Intake Court.

• Court location

  All administration is conducted at our Cornwall location.

  Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
  t. (613) 933-4301
  f. (613) 933-4161
  Email Court Services

  SDG Court

  26 Pitt Street, Suite 308 Cornwall, Ontario K6J 3P2

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• Court rules

  Rules of the court are as follows:

  • Proper attire is required - no shorts, tank tops, halter tops or hats to be worn in the courtroom.
  • No chewing gum.
  • No food or drinks allowed in the courtroom.
  • Electronic communication devices are to be turned off or silenced - audio recording devices may only be used for note-taking purposes if the Justice of the Peace is first notified or gives express permission to do so.  There are to be no transmissions of court proceedings.  Talking on electronic communication devices is not permitted while court is in session.
  • No photos or videos are to be taken without a court order.
  • No talking while court is in session.
• Paying Your Fine

  You can make your payment either in person at 26 Pitt Street, Cornwall or online at pay on-line.

• Information for defendants

  Ticket look-up:

  Click here to visit the Ministry of the Attorney General ticket look-up page. You will need your ticket number to complete the process.

  Your Three Ticket Options

  Option 1: Plea of Guilty - Voluntary Payment of Total Payable

  Visit the Fine Payment Options page

  Option 2: Plea of Guilty – Submissions as to Penalty

  Select this option if you want to appear before a Justice of the Peace to plead guilty but request amount payable be reduced or extension of time to pay.  Please understand that a Justice of the Peace cannot reduce a charge (e.g. speeding 120 kilometres cannot be reduced to 115 kilometres).  They also cannot reduce or remove demerit points.

  Option 3: Request for Trial

  Select this option if you want to plead not guilty to the charge.  Complete the required information on the reverse of the ticket under Option 3 and if applicable complete the “Change to Your Address”. Please include your email address. File your ticket with our office either by mail, in-person or via e-mail at courtservices@sdgcounties.ca.  You are not required to file your request for trial in person.  Should you mail your request for trial, you assume the consequences if, for any reason, your request is not received in our office within the prescribed time.

  PLEASE NOTE:  All individuals requesting Option 3 will first be given an Early Resolution date to speak with a prosecutor. It is important that you take part in this meeting this for case-management purposes, ie. determining number of witnesses, length of trial, discussing disclosure issues, discussing demerit points and fine consequences.  The prosecutor will review the ticket and evidence and may determine the matter should be withdrawn or an offer may be made to resolve the matter which may result in you not having to go to trial.

  * Please note Court Interpreters are available if required.  Please fill out language required under option 3.

  Guide for Defendants

  These guides provide defendants with general information about the court process for provincial offences cases.

  • Guide for defendants
  • Guide pour les defendeurs

  Services for Persons with Disabilities

  Commitment

  Court Services is committed to making our services accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.  We comply with the customer service standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

  Communication / Assistive Devices / Service Animals

  We will communicate with you in ways that take into account a disability if you let us know what your needs are.  You may use your own personal assistive device however the use of recording and video equipment by individuals is not permitted without judicial approval [Courts of Justice Act  section 136 (1)]. You may use your service animal in all parts of our premises that are open to the public.

• Limitation periods under the Provincial Offences Act

  All limitation periods under the Provincial Offences Act have been suspended by an order under s. 7.1.2(2) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

  Judicial Pre-Trials

  Judicial pre-trials will be held by audio or video conference.  Cases subject to judicial pre-trials will be determined by local protocol. Parties will be notified of the date and time of the judicial pre-trial and the information for attending the audio or video conference.

• Electronic Signatures

  The Ontario Court of Justice will accept electronically signed documents where a signature is required. An electronic signature consists of electronic information that identifies the signatory and the date and place of signing. For example, you may type your name as your signature.

• Access to court dockets, audio recordings and exhibits

  Please contact local court staff for information about a matter you believe is ongoing for which you have no return date.  

  Please remember to keep your mailing address up to date with us at courtservices@sdgcounties.ca or you may miss important information regarding your court appearance.

  Media representatives who wish to inquire about the status of a specific proceeding at our court, may contact courtservices@sdgcounties.ca

  To request access to court filings and exhibits, please email courtservices@sdgcounties.ca.

  Existing access policies remain in effect.

  To request access to audio recordings of court proceedings, please contact the court office by email at courtservices@sdgcounties.ca

• Recording proceedings

  Section 136 of the Courts of Justice Act makes it an offence to take a photograph, or make a video or audio recording, of a court proceeding, unless prior judicial authorization has been granted.

  • Audio recording of proceedings is permitted by counsel, paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Ontario, court staff, members of the media, and litigants provided it is done solely for note-taking purposes and the presiding judicial officer has been advised before the recording commences. Audio recording of proceedings is also permitted by members of the public provided it is done solely for note-taking purposes and the express permission of the presiding judicial officer is first obtained. These audio recordings cannot be transmitted. The Court’s Protocol Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in Court Proceedings remains in effect.
• Legal advice

  Court administration staff cannot provide advice when you receive a ticket. Contact a lawyer or paralegal to help you if you cannot decide which ticket option to choose.

  • Law Society Lawyer and Paralegal Directory
  • Lawyers and Paralegals - Helping You With Your Legal Needs
• Summons

  If you receive a summons, you must appear in Court on the date specified.

• Resources

  Helpful Links

  • Lawyer and Paralegal Directory
  • Legal Aid
  • Understanding Demerit Points

  Links to Legal Documentation / Acts

  • Provincial Offences Act
  • Highway Traffic Act
  • Compulsory Automobile Act
  • Tobacco Tax Act
• Complaints

  Administration Services Complaints

  If you have a complaint concerning administration services, please contact the Manager of the Provincial Offences Court, in writing:

  Director of Court Services
  Court Services
  308-26 Pitt Street
  Cornwall, ON  K6J 3P2
  Email Court Services

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  Justice of the Peace Complaints

  For information on complaints relating to the Justice of the Peace, information is available on the Ontario Courts Website

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  Crown Attorney Complaints

  If you have a complaint relating to the prosecution (legal), please contact the Crown Attorney in writing:

  Crown Attorney
  29 Second Street West
  Cornwall, ON K6J 1G3