Windsor Provincial Offences Court

Overview

The Windsor Provincial Offences Court is located within the modern City Hall complex at 400 City Hall Square East (Suite 401). This administrative and judicial centre is responsible for the processing and adjudication of non-criminal charges for the City of Windsor and the surrounding municipalities of the West Region. The court enforces provincial statutes such as the Highway Traffic Act (speeding, careless driving), the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, and the Liquor Licence and Control Act, as well as municipal by-laws regarding noise, parking, and property standards.

Options for Defendants

If you receive an Offence Notice (ticket), you generally have 15 days to exercise one of the following options:

Option 1 (Plea of Guilty): Pay the total payable fine. This results in a conviction and is recorded on your driving abstract if applicable. Payments can be made online via paytickets.ca, in person, or by mail.
Option 2 (Early Resolution): Request a meeting with a prosecutor to discuss the resolution of the charge. This does not waive your right to a trial but offers an opportunity to negotiate a settlement, such as a reduced fine or a plea to a lesser offence.
Option 3 (Trial): Plead not guilty and request a trial. You will be assigned a court date to present your defence before a Justice of the Peace.

Facility and Services

The court office is situated on the 4th floor of the City Hall building. The facility is designed to be accessible and user-friendly, offering services in both English and French. The administration counters handle fine payments, trial requests, and applications for extensions of time to pay. Courtrooms are equipped for both in-person and remote proceedings, as the use of Zoom for Early Resolution meetings and certain hearings has become standard practice. Visitors attending in person should be aware that they are entering a government building with security protocols in place.

Jurisdiction

While the laws enforced are provincial, the administration is municipal. This court serves a broad area, meaning tickets issued by the Windsor Police Service, OPP (in local detachments), and LaSalle Police Service within the jurisdiction are processed here. It is crucial to check the location code on your ticket; if it corresponds to Windsor, 400 City Hall Square is the correct venue for all administrative matters.