Toronto court says some services related to traffic and bylaw tickets resume

TORONTO — Some court services related to traffic tickets and bylaw infractions are resuming in Toronto, though still remotely.

The city says people who are ticketed under the Provincial Offences Act can now request an early resolution meeting to be held with a prosecutor over the phone.

It says anyone seeking to dispute a ticket and request a trial can now submit a notice by email or mail instead of having to do so in person. This applies to tickets issued on or after March 1.

People who were convicted without a hearing can also apply to have the case reopened by email or mail, as can those who want an extension to pay a fine.

The province's courts, including those that deal with these types of cases, have been largely closed since mid-March due to the pandemic, with only urgent matters being heard.

The Ontario Court of Justice says no Provincial Offences Act proceedings will be conducted in person until mid-September, but judicial pretrials and early resolution guilty pleas have been allowed to proceed remotely since earlier this month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 24, 2020.