Nova Scotians will no longer have to go to court to plead not guilty to summary offence tickets, such as speeding and motor vehicle infractions, under proposed changes to the Summary Proceedings Act introduced on April 1.
"This change to the act increases access to justice and is more convenient for Nova Scotians," said Justice Minister Ross Landry. "People who receive tickets will still be able to go to trial to dispute the matter."
The way things work now, anyone who receives a summary offence ticket has to appear in arraignment court if they were going to plead not guilty. The person then returns to court for trial. Under the proposed system, Nova Scotians will be required to appear in court only for trial. They will be able to go to a justice centre and receive a trial date from court staff.
With the proposed changes, people who are automatically convicted for failing to appear can have that conviction set aside within 60 days and be granted a court date before a presiding justice of the peace or provincial court judge.
Ontario has also eliminated arraignment court for certain matters to expedite justice.
