To request an Early Resolution meeting in Ottawa, you must apply online through the Provincial Offences Act portal or in person at 100 Constellation Drive within 15 days of receiving your ticket. This meeting allows you to negotiate with the municipal prosecutor to potentially reduce your fine or demerit points.
Getting handed a yellow traffic ticket by an Ottawa Police officer can ruin your week. Whether it is for speeding on Riverside Drive, running a red light in Centretown, or failing to stop for a school bus, many drivers assume their only option is to pay the fine online and accept the demerit points. However, the Canadian legal system gives you the right to dispute the charge or seek a more favourable outcome.
Choosing “Option 2: Early Resolution – Meet with Prosecutor” on the back of your ticket is often the smartest first step. 📋 This option allows you or your legal representative to sit down with the municipal prosecutor to negotiate a plea deal before committing to a full trial. Knowing how to request an early resolution meeting with the prosecutor in Ottawa ensures your driving record is protected.
Step-by-Step Process in Ottawa
Traffic tickets and by-law offences are not handled at the main criminal courthouse on Elgin Street. Instead, they are processed by the City of Ottawa at the Provincial Offences Court located at 100 Constellation Drive in Nepean.
Step 1: Check the 15-Day Deadline
Look at the back of your traffic ticket immediately. By law, you only have 15 days from the date the ticket was issued to select an option. 🕑 If you miss this strict deadline, the court may automatically convict you in absentia, and you will be forced to pay the full fine and absorb all associated demerit points.
Step 2: Submit Your Request
The easiest way to request your meeting is online. Visit the City of Ottawa’s official website and navigate to the Provincial Offences Act (POA) online services portal. Enter the ICON location code and offence number printed at the top of your ticket. Select the Early Resolution option and provide your current mailing address and email.
Step 3: Wait for the Notice of Meeting
Once processed, the City of Ottawa will send you a “Notice of Early Resolution Meeting” by mail or email. 📬 This document will outline the date, time, and method of your meeting. Since the pandemic, many of these meetings in Ottawa are conducted virtually via telephone or Zoom audio, meaning you do not have to take a full day off work.
Step 4: Attend the Meeting and Negotiate
During the meeting, the prosecutor will review the police officer’s notes. You or your paralegal will have the chance to explain your side. The prosecutor may offer a plea deal—such as dropping a 3-point speeding ticket down to a 0-point minor infraction—if you agree to plead guilty and pay the reduced fine.
How Much Does it Cost in Ottawa?
Requesting an Early Resolution meeting is an administrative right, meaning the court system does not charge you a fee just to speak with the prosecutor. However, there are potential costs depending on how you choose to handle the meeting.
- Filing the Request: There is a $0 CAD fee to submit an Early Resolution request to the City of Ottawa.
- Paralegal / Lawyer Fees: Many drivers hire a licensed paralegal or traffic ticket law firm to attend the meeting and negotiate on their behalf. This typically costs between $300 and $800 CAD for a standard ticket.
- Reduced Fines: If a deal is struck, you will still have to pay a fine. For example, the prosecutor might reduce a $295 CAD fine down to $150 CAD. You generally have 30 to 60 days to pay the agreed amount.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The Provincial Offences Court in Ottawa deals with thousands of tickets every month, so the process is not instantaneous. 📅 Expect to wait a few months from the day you get pulled over to the day your matter is resolved.
| Step in the Process | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|
| Deadline to Submit Request | Must be done within 15 days of getting the ticket |
| Receiving the Meeting Notice | Usually arrives 2 to 6 weeks after requesting |
| The Early Resolution Meeting | Scheduled 2 to 6 months after the ticket date |
| Time Given to Pay the Fine | Usually 30 to 90 days after the plea is accepted |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a lawyer for an Early Resolution meeting?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer or paralegal. You can represent yourself. However, legal professionals understand the Highway Traffic Act and know exactly what technical errors to look for to get the best possible deal.
What happens if I reject the prosecutor’s offer?
If you do not like the deal the prosecutor offers during the meeting, you do not have to accept it. You can reject the offer, and your case will automatically be scheduled for a formal trial before a Justice of the Peace.
Will the police officer be at the Early Resolution meeting?
No. The police officer who issued the ticket does not attend Early Resolution meetings. You will only be speaking with the municipal prosecutor. The officer will only be subpoenaed if you choose to proceed to a full trial.
Can the prosecutor drop the ticket completely?
Yes, but it is rare. The prosecutor will only withdraw the charge completely if there is a fatal error on the ticket (like the wrong name or vehicle make) or if there is simply no evidence to support the charge.
What if I miss my scheduled Early Resolution meeting?
If you fail to attend your scheduled meeting (whether in person or by phone), the court will deem that you do not wish to dispute the charge. You will be convicted in absentia and mailed the full fine to pay.
Leave a Reply