Provincial Offences: Under Standing Your Choices - Part One Offence. 

When being issued with an Offence, The Officer may class the Offence depending on the severity of the charge, however the Officer may elect to decide to have you go to a Court Hearing in the presence of a Justice to decide the degree of the Offence. Currently their are three Offences classes; This post will focus on the first and most common Offence - Part One

Part One Offence

  • Most frequent Offence handed out by the an Officer

  • The Offence Notice indicates the charge on the Offence, such as the payable amount and number of Demerit Points

  • Provides three different options for resolution

  • Examples of Part 1 Offence: Speeding, failure to stop, 

Options for Part One Offences

  1.  15 days to pay the indicated amount. Choosing this option is pleading guilty to the charge, therefore, you will receive full Demerit Points and the Offence will appear on your driving record for three years.

  2. Early Resolution Meeting. Some regions provide an opportunity to meet with the prosecutor and negotiate a lower Offence charge. If you decide to take the agreed Offence, you will plead guilty to the new Offence, pay the new amount and receive Demerit Points; if any. The Offence will appear on your driving record for three years.

  3. Trial Option. By completing a Notice to Intention to Appear, you indicate that you wish to go to trial and challenge the given Offence. If successful your Offence will be dismissed, no amount paid, no Demerit Points or Offence on your record.

However, It is highly recommended that choosing option one is never the best option. It is best to seek a lower Offence when applicable. Also choosing the other two options gives you more time to pay the required amount, However, you always have the option at the Trial or Early Resolution to plead guilty to original Offence, if required.   

 

Sue Eastwood