Editing Traffic ticket (section)

==Canada==
{{more citations needed|date=April 2018}}

===Outline of traffic offences===
<!--section currently has Ontario-centric POV-->
[[File:$10000 fine.jpg|thumb|A sign on the [[Queen Elizabeth Way]] in Ontario, Canada, warning of a $10,000 fine, a roadside licence suspension, and a roadside vehicle seizure if motorists exceed the speed limit by 50 km/h or more]]
In [[Canada]], most traffic laws are made at the provincial level. However, some serious violations are criminal offences, contrary to the federal [[Criminal Code (Canada)|Criminal Code]]. Both levels of government may deal with different aspects of the same misconduct. For example, [[Drunk driving (Canada)|drinking and driving]] may be a criminal offence of driving while impaired, or driving with a blood alcohol level greater than .08.  At the same time, most provinces have laws specifying administrative penalties for driving with a blood alcohol level which does not exceed the criminal blood alcohol level of .08, in particular for newly licensed drivers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alberta's approach to impaired driving|url=http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/impaireddriving.htm|website=Alberta Transportation|access-date=7 September 2017}}</ref>

Each province maintains a database of motorists, including their convicted traffic violations. Upon being ticketed, a motorist has a chance to plead guilty or not guilty with an explanation. The motorist or their representative must attend the court for the town or city in which the violation took place to do so.

If the motorist pleads not guilty, a trial date is set and both the motorist, or a lawyer/paralegal representing the motorist, and the ticketing officer, are required to attend. If the officer fails to attend, the court judge will often find in favour of the motorist and dismiss the charge, although sometimes the trial date is moved to give the officer another chance to attend. In some provinces, officers are now paid time and a half to attend traffic proceedings. The court will also make provisions for the officer or the prosecutor to achieve a deal with the motorist, often in the form of a [[plea bargain]].  If no agreement is reached, both motorist and officer, or their respective representatives, formally attempt to prove their case before the judge or Justice of Peace, who then decides the matter.

If the motorist pleads guilty, the outcome is equivalent to conviction after trial. Upon conviction, the motorist is generally fined a monetary amount and, for moving violations, is additionally given demerit points, under each province's [[point system (driving)|point system]]. Jail time is sometimes sought in more serious cases such as racing or stunt driving.

=== The Demerit Point System in Ontario ===
{{anchor|Demerit Point System for Driving Offences in Ontario}}

In the province of Ontario, drivers who are convicted of certain driving related offences result in demerit points recorded onto their driving records. It is commonly misconceived that drivers actually "lose" points due to convictions for certain traffic offences. In fact, a driver begins with zero demerit points and accumulates demerit points for convictions. Demerit points stay on a driver's record for two years from the original offence date. If a driver accumulates enough points, a suspension/loss of licence can occur.

For a fully licensed driver in Ontario, the accumulation of six demerit points results in a "warning" letter.  At nine points, the driver is scheduled a mandatory interview to discuss their record and give specific reasonings as to why the licence should not be suspended.  If a driver fails to attend this meeting, their licence may be automatically suspended.  At 15 or more points, a driver's licence will be suspended for 30 days.  Surrendering a licence to the Ministry of Transportation is mandatory at this stage; failure to surrender the licence may result in a suspension/loss for up to two years.