Alberta, like all Canadian jurisdictions, has provincial sanctions that apply to impaired driving in addition to criminal penalties imposed by the courts under the Criminal Code of Canada. Federal penalties for impaired driving can include driving prohibitions, fines, jail time and participation in an ignition interlock program.
This information on impaired driving laws in Canada is prepared by Canada Dept. of Justice. It covers:
It is important to note that provinces and territories have additional laws or regulations that may apply.
This booklet from Alberta Justice provides general information about proceedings in Traffic Court. Contents include: You Have Been Charged with An offence. Now What?; Do You Need an Interpreter?; Lawyers and Agents; How do You Get A Lawyer or an Agent?; Legal Aid; Alberta Law Line; Other Services; Your First Court Appearance; If You Plead Not Guilty; If You are Thinking of Pleading Guilty; Where and When will the Trial be?; Getting Ready for Trial when You Have Plead Not Guilty; What Happens at Trial?; Sentencing; and Victims of Crime Surcharge on Offenders.(PDF – 16 pages)
Traffic Court is part of the Alberta Court of Justice. It deals with offences pursuant to many provincial statutes and regulations, municipal bylaws and a few specified federal statutes. In spite of its name, Traffic Court is not limited to only hearing traffic related offences. Traffic Court does not deal with most offences created by federal statutes such as the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Young persons aged 12-17 years of age who are charged with a Provincial offence are dealt with in the Youth Division of the Alberta Court of Justice. In some court locations there is a distinct Youth Traffic Court.
Trials in Traffic Court, whether involving an adult or a young person, are usually heard by a Justice of the Peace. However in some locations trials are heard by a Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice.
This Alberta government webpage provides information on the options available to pay traffic fines and overdue Criminal Code fines, traffic tickets and bail forfeitures enforcement.
You have been charged with a traffic offense. Now what? This Student Legal Services booklet answers this question and more.
