Traffic tickets are non-criminal offences issued under provincial law, known as the Provincial Offences Act (POA). These matters are handled in provincial court, not criminal court.
A ticket may allege a breach of:
These offences don't create a criminal record, but they can result in fines, surcharges, demerit points, and long-term consequences for your driving privileges.
Some offences such as driving while suspended are particularly serious and can involve large fines, vehicle impoundment, and further licence sanctions, even though they're still provincial offences. Don't underestimate the impact these tickets can have on your driving record, insurance rates, and ability to drive legally.
Wondering how many demerit points your offence carries? MPI provides a comprehensive database of common offences and their associated demerit points.
The cost of fighting a traffic ticket varies depending on the type of violation and complexity of the case. Merits of Manitoba offers competitive rates and free consultations to discuss pricing. In many cases, the cost of representation is less than the long-term expenses of increased insurance premiums and fines from a conviction.
In most cases, clients do not need to attend court. The legal team at Merits of Manitoba handles all court appearances and proceedings on behalf of clients. The firm keeps clients informed throughout the process and will notify them if their presence is required for any reason.
The timeline varies depending on court schedules and the complexity of the case. Simple traffic tickets can often be resolved within a few weeks to a few months. More complex cases, such as MPI suspension hearings or commercial vehicle violations, may take longer. The team provides regular updates throughout the process.
Merits of Manitoba handles all types of traffic violations, including speeding tickets, red light violations, distracted driving, photo radar tickets, commercial vehicle violations, and MPI suspension hearings. The firm has experience defending against all Highway Traffic Act offenses across Manitoba.
Merits of Manitoba represents clients across all Manitoba courts, including Selkirk, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, Morden, Beausejour, and other communities throughout the province. We also assist out-of-province drivers who have received traffic tickets while traveling through Manitoba. Free consultations are available by phone, making it easy for clients anywhere—whether local or from out of province—to access professional traffic ticket defense services.
