News release

Summary Offence Changes Make Courts More Efficient

Justice

In a move to ease court backlogs and make the system more efficient, most arraignment hearings for offences such as speeding and traffic tickets will be eliminated effective April 1.

Adults issued summary offence tickets and youth age 16 to 17 with tickets for motor vehicle matters will no longer have arraignment hearings after amendments to the Summary Proceedings Act, Justices of the Peace Regulations and Summary Offence Tickets Regulations.

Currently, people who wish to plead not guilty must appear in arraignment court to get a trial date, then eventually return for trial.

Amendments to the Summary Proceeds Act will allow people to get an appearance date from the front counter of any court administration office, changing a court process into an administrative process.

"This is about improving access to our justice system," said Justice Minister Ross Landry. "The new summary offence ticket process creates a more streamlined, efficient process, which is more in line with other jurisdictions."

Amendments to the Justices of the Peace Regulations will revise their roles under the new process. Amendments to the Summary Offence Ticket Regulations will allow revised tickets to reflect the new process.

If a person is issued a summary offence ticket before April 1, they must appear in arraignment court.

All youth charged with offences other than motor vehicle matters will still be required to attend arraignment court to ensure a judge can closely review their cases.