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Municipal court

Entering a plea

Upon receipt of your ticket, you must enter a plea. In other words, you must plead guilty or not guilty to the offence of which you have been accused.

Whether you plead guilty or not guilty, you must complete and return the reply form attached to your ticket within 30 days of receiving it.

The following options are available to you:

  • Acknowledge your guilt and pay the total amount of your fine and fees.
  • Plead not guilty to have your version of the events heard by a judge, which will constitute your defense.

Pleading guilty

Have you decided to plead guilty to the offence of which you have been accused? You must pay the total amount due and send your plea either by mail to the address indicated on the reply form or submit it in person at one of the municipal court service centers.

In accordance with the Code of Penal Procedure, if the court receives your total payment and you have not entered a plea, you will be deemed to have pled guilty.

Pleading not guilty

If you would like to present a defense to the offence of which you have been accused, you must plead not guilty by checking off the appropriate box on the reply form attached to the ticket or by filling the Plea form.

Enter a plea

Be sure to sign the reply form and enter the correct address to which subsequent correspondence will be sent.

Please note that despite any preference you may express regarding the time of day your case is heard (day or evening), the court is not bound by your choice.

The municipal court must receive your plea of not guilty within 30 days of receipt of your ticket. You may send your plea either by mail to the address indicated on the reply form or submit it in person at one of the municipal court service centers.

You will then receive a notice by mail indicating the time, place, and date of your hearing.

Ticket verification or inquiry

If you believe there is an error with the ticket you were issued, you can request an inquiry in the following cases:

  • You paid at the meter and received an original receipt as proof of payment
  • There was no sign where you parked your vehicle
  • You were not driving but received a ticket for a moving violation
  • You believe someone stole your identity (a police report is required)
  • Your vehicle was stolen (a police report is required)
  • The description of your vehicle is inaccurate
  • You have never been to the place indicated on the ticket
  • The parking meter was clearly defective

Ticket Inquiry Request

Testimony of the police officer or authorized employee in court

The police officer or authorized municipal employee who issued the ticket is not always required to appear in court. If you or your lawyer wishes them to appear for cross-examination, you may request their presence in writing within 10 days of receipt of your notice of hearing.

If you are found guilty and the judge is convinced that the documentary evidence (ticket and report) was sufficient and the testimony did not provide any further evidence, you may be charged fees for this request.

Changing your plea before the hearing

Depending on the terms indicated in your notice of hearing, you may change your mind and plead guilty instead of not guilty.

Your new guilty plea and payment of the full amount indicated in such case must be sent to the municipal court before the date of your hearing.

Additional information

Municipal court service center

Quebec Service Center

285, rue de la Maréchaussée
Québec (Québec) G1K 8W5
Phone Number : 418 641-6179
Counter service available 8 h 30 to 16 h 30, Monday to Friday

Sainte-Foy Service Center

1130, route de l'Église
Québec (Québec) G1V 4X6
Phone Number : 418 641-6179
Counter service available 8 h 30 to 12 h and 13 h to 16 h 30, Monday to Friday

For further information, contact the municipal court registry staff by phone at 418-641-6179 or by email at courmunicipale@ville.quebec.qc.ca.

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