How do you contest a statement of offence (traffic ticket)?

General information, not legal advice. According to Québec.ca, a plea is your response (guilty or not guilty) to the charge on your statement of offence. You have 30 days after the date you received your statement to submit your plea. To contest the offence, you submit a not guilty plea: a trial is then held in the judicial district where the offence took place, and a hearing notice tells you where and when to appear. If you do not submit your plea, or miss the deadline, a judgment by default may be rendered against you.

Key facts

Deadline to plead

30 days after the date you received your statement of offence.

Ways to respond

Online ("Submit your plea" link on Québec.ca). Other ways are indicated on your statement or correspondence; the page does not detail them.

If you do not respond

A judgment by default may be rendered against you if you do not submit your plea or do not meet the deadline.

Costs

If you are found guilty, you must pay the fine, court costs and the contribution (mandatory). The Québec.ca page does not give an amount for these costs.

Photo radar

The vehicle owner is responsible for the offence. Since July 1, 2024, the owner cannot name another person who was driving.

Bureau des infractions et amendes

Telephone: 418 643-5140, extension 1; toll-free: 1 866 536-5140, extension 1.

Steps

1. Check the date you received your statement of offence: you have 30 days after that date to submit your plea.
2. Keep in mind that a plea is your response (guilty or not guilty) to the charge on your statement. To contest the offence, it is a not guilty plea.
3. Submit your plea. Québec.ca offers online pleading; other ways exist and are indicated on your statement or in your correspondence.
4. Do not let the deadline pass: if you do not submit your plea or do not meet the deadline, a judgment by default may be rendered against you.
5. If you pleaded not guilty, wait for the hearing notice: it tells you where and when to appear at the trial, which is held in the judicial district where the offence took place.
6. For any question about your file, contact the Bureau des infractions et amendes (contact details on Québec.ca).

General information drawn from official sources. It does not replace legal, medical or financial advice. For your situation, contact the organization concerned or a professional.