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1. Do I need a lawyer?

We are not permitted to give legal advice. You may come to court and speak with the judge regarding your rights and what the consequences may be if you plead guilty and pay the ticket.

2. How can the Court staff assist me?

• The Court Staff can:
  • Explain and answer questions regarding how the court works.
  • Explain what the steps are to have your case considered by the court.
  • Provide you with some information from your case file.
  • Provide guidance on how to fill out forms.
  • Answer questions about court deadlines.
• The Court Staff cannot:
  • Give legal advice. Only a lawyer or public defender can give legal advice.
  • Advise whether or not you should bring your case to court.
  • Give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.
  • Recommend a lawyer, but we can provide you with the telephone number of a local lawyer referral service.
  • Talk to the judge for you about what will happen in your case.
  • Let you talk to the judge outside the court.
  • Change an order issued by a judge.

3. What are my options with regard to a ticket I received?

If it is a payable ticket, you may:

• Send a check or money order to the Court
• Pay by credit card at the Violations Bureau window Monday through Friday during 8 am to 4 pm
• Pay it online

If you wish to plead not guilty, we will verify your address and schedule you for a court session. If it is a Mandatory Violation, you are already scheduled for court.

4. When is my court date?

if the ticket is payable, the court date that appears on the ticket is the date to pay it by or to contact the court to enter a not guilty plea.

5. Why do I have to post bail?

According to Supreme Court rules, after you fail to appear for your court date, you will receive a Failure to Appear notice with a new court date. If you fail to appear on the next court date, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Once you have posted bail, you will receive a new court date. Bail is to ensure you appear at your next scheduled court date. Failure to do so will result in a bail forfeiture and a new warrant will be reissued. Once your matter is disposed of in court, you may use your bail money toward your fines. If you are found not guilty or the matter is dismissed, you may have your bail refunded to you or to the surety, the person who posted the bail in your case.