Regional Municipal Court
The Cour municipale régionale de Vaudreuil-Soulanges is a first hearing court with jurisdiction of original jurisdiction in criminal matters, within the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges. The municipal court serves a population of more than 160,000 citizens, throughout the 23 municipalities of the territory.
What if you have received a statement of offence?
In order to meet and exceed its clientele’s needs, the Cour municipale régionale de la MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges offers a new online payment service, with fees averaging $5 per payment. Here are the main advantages:
- 24/7 service, thereby eliminating schedule constraints;
- Payment made in full by credit card;
- Information is kept secure and confidential – you will receive a confirmation number and a receipt to print, as well as an email confirmation of your transaction;
- Direct access to your file on the regional municipal court’s database;
- Late fees avoided (ease of making timely payment);
- Instant update of your personal filer.
The total amount (fine and fee) is required. Partial payment is not accepted.
For Payment Agreements, a fee of $1.08 is applicable per payment.
Payment by credit card only (debit cards or prepaid credit cards are not accepted).
By mail:
Payments can be made by cheque, bank draft or money order payable to “Cour municipale régionale de Vaudreuil-Soulanges”. You must attach to your payment the reply form identifying the offence number. Please note that if your licence is suspended, personal cheques are not accepted.
280 Boulevard Harwood
Vaudreuil-Dorion (QC) J7V 1Y5
Telephone: 450-455-9480
Fax: 450-455-8856
Email: cmrvs@mrcvs.ca
In-person
Visit our offices any time during business hours. Cash, cheques, bank drafts, debit card and credit card payments (VISA and MasterCard) are accepted.
In-person at your financial institution:
Within 30 days of receiving your statement, the full payment will be accepted at most financial institutions upon presenting the statement of offence.
Online, via Accès D de Desjardins or (English) Banque Nationale / National Bank Internet Banking Solutions (English)
To make a payment this way, you must be a customer of Desjardins or of the National Bank of Canada and you must be registered with the Internet service of those institutions. Payment must be received within 30 days.
AccèsD:
Category: Infractions.
Description: MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges – Infractions.
National Bank / Banque Nationale:
Name of the Supplier/Facture: MRC V-Soulanges.
Processing your statement of offence
When communicating with the court, whether by email, mail, fax or in person, you must be able to provide the following information:
-
- Statement of offence number;
- Your full name;
- Your complete address: (civic number, street, city, postal code);
- Your phone number;
- Your date of birth.
You are obligated to enter a guilty or not guilty plea within 30 days after the date of receipt of the infraction.
Guilty plea
If you plead guilty to the infraction, you must pay the entire fine and requested fees in order to avoid any extra fee or inconvenience (licence suspension, wage garnishment, warrant, etc.)
When a payment is sent to the Court, you are deemed guilty of the offence.
Not guilty plea
If you plead not guilty to the offence, you must send your plea to the court with the reply form attached to the statement of offence. Your plea must be forwarded to the court within a maximum of 30 days after receiving the notice of infraction.
It should be noted that despite the preference (day or night) that you request for your hearing, the Court is not bound to honour your choice. However, if you are convicted, additional fees will be charged.
Notice of hearing
After making your not guilty plea, you will receive by mail a notice of hearing indicating the place, date and time for the hearing of your case.
Change of plea before the hearing
You can change your plea of not guilty to guilty. The municipal court must receive your new plea before the time scheduled for your hearing. Additional fees may apply.
Requesting an interpreter
If you need an interpreter after receiving your notice of hearing, you must inform the municipal court in writing or by telephone. This request must be made within 10 business days before the time scheduled for the hearing.
Request for postponement of the hearing
If, for serious reasons, you cannot attend your hearing on the set date of the hearing, you can apply to re-schedule. This request must be provided in writing no later than noon on the last Friday preceding your hearing, and must be confirmed by the court registry. If the request is granted, a fee of $33 per case is automatically added. Otherwise, you will be sentenced by default and you will have to pay for the judgment rendered.
Summons to witness (appearance notice or subpoena)
If you receive an appearance notice, you are obligated to be present in Court to testify. You could be legally charged if you refuse to attend.
Hearing
The hearing of a case generally takes place in five main steps:
1. Calling of the docket
The docket call is done at the beginning of the session. All cases entered will be named one by one. It is important that those summoned confirm their presence at the moment when they are called.
2. Prosecution’s evidence
The prosecutor presents evidence first. It generally consists of the statement of offence that you received and the offence report.
3. Defence’s evidence
Once the prosecution’s case has been heard, you will then be able to present your case, testify as to the facts relating to the offence and present your witnesses, if any. You will also be allowed to produce documents or any other material to support your defence. If applicable, you must provide three copies of these documents for the judge, the prosecutor and yourself.
The prosecutor may, thereafter, cross-examine you and your witnesses.
4. Closing arguments
Once both sides have presented all evidence, the judge will hear conclusions from both parties and then render a decision.
5. Decision
The judge may deliver his or her judgment from the bench (a judgement delivered orally) or will adjourn for deliberation (a judgement delivered in writing). He or she will then schedule a judgment date. In either case, you will receive a notice of judgment by mail.
If you are found guilty, additional fees will appear on the notice of judgment, as specified in the Tarif judiciaire en matière pénale (English version).
If you do not submit a plea or the full amount of the requested fine and costs within the required deadline, an ex parte decision will be rendered against you, without any notice. Additional charges will be added to your file. Upon receipt of the notice of judgment, you must pay the requested amount within 30 days.
What if you have received a notice of judgment?
You have 30 days from the date of judgment to pay the fines and the fees imposed by the Court unless the judge has granted you an extension. The deadline for payment is written on the notice of judgment that you received.
It is mandatory that the full payment be made either in person at the office of the Regional municipal court, by mail, by cheque or online at Payer un constat (available in French only).
Payment default
Failure to make payment within the requested delay will initiate procedures against you such as:
- suspension of driver’s licence;
- wage garnishment;
- a warrant;
- imprisonment.
Court Sessions
Sessions are presided over by the Honourable Judge Gilles Chaloux.
Code of Ethics
Dress code:
You are to be decently and respectably dressed when you present yourself in court. As an example, it is forbidden to wear a t-shirt, shorts, sunglasses, a hat or a cap.
Behavior:
You must always:
- rise when you are addressing anyone in court and address them in a respectful tone (using the vous form in French);
- use the phrase “Your Honour” (or “Monsieur le juge” or “Madame la juge” in French) when addressing the court.
Possibility of expulsion:
Any person who commits one of the following acts may be subject to expulsion from the courtroom:
- consuming food or beverages;
- speaking, reading or writing;
- adopting a relaxed posture;
- showing disrespect.
Prohibited devices:
Cameras, recording devices, and cell phones that are turned on are not allowed in the courtroom.
Recommendation:
It is strongly advised not to attend a court session with a child under 12 years of age.
Contact Information and Business Hours
Regional Municipal Court of Vaudreuil-Soulanges
280 Boulevard Harwood
Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec J7V 1Y5
Telephone : 450-455-9480
Fax: 450-455-8856
Email: cmrvs@mrcvs.ca
Business Hours
Monday through Thursday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Useful contact information:
Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (S.A.A.Q.)
937 Boulevard Cité des Jeunes
Vaudreuil-Dorion, J7V 8P2
Telephone: 450-455-5560
Sûreté du Québec poste Est
599 Boulevard Harwood
Vaudreuil-Dorion, J7V 7W2
Telephone: 450-424-1212
Sûreté du Québec poste Ouest
551 Route 201
St-Clet, J0P 1S0
Telephone: 450-456-3883