Provincial vs Criminal Code charges
The Traffic Safety Act requires drivers involved in a collision on a highway to stop, remain at the scene, identify themselves, and render reasonable assistance. A provincial fail-to-remain ticket alleges a breach of these obligations.
The Criminal Code's failure-to-stop offence (s. 320.16) is a separate matter that requires specific elements to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt — including, importantly, knowledge of the collision and intent. A criminal hit-and-run charge is handled by a criminal defence lawyer, not a traffic representative.
What a provincial fail-to-remain conviction can mean
7 demerit points puts the driver close to demerit-based licence consequences in a single ticket. The insurance impact is typically significant and lasts multiple years. The court appearance is mandatory.
No obligation
Have the ticket in front of you?
Send us a photo and the basics through our Free Ticket Review form — we will walk you through what the charge actually is and what your real options are.
Options drivers usually have
- Confirm which charge you are facing — provincial ticket or Criminal Code charge — before deciding next steps.
- Request disclosure for the provincial ticket and review what evidence the Crown intends to rely on.
- Discuss resolution options with the prosecutor where the facts support it.
- Set a trial date where the disclosure reveals factual gaps worth testing.
How Alberta Ticket Fighter helps
For provincial fail-to-remain matters, we read the ticket, confirm the appearance date, request disclosure, and work the file through the court process. For Criminal Code matters, we will refer you to a criminal defence lawyer — that is the right professional for that work.
What working with us looks like
From charge to resolution
- 01.
Send us the ticket or court document through our form
Upload it via the Free Ticket Review form. We confirm whether this is a provincial or criminal matter and where to take it from there.
- 02.
Disclosure review
For provincial matters, we request the officer’s notes and any collision documentation.
- 03.
Options discussion
We walk through realistic outcomes given the specific facts and the disclosure.
- 04.
Court attendance
We handle appearances on your behalf where permitted and keep you informed throughout.
Hit and run questions, answered
What is the difference between a provincial hit-and-run charge and the Criminal Code offence?
Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act has fail-to-remain provisions for collisions on a highway — these are provincial offences with demerit and insurance consequences. The Criminal Code has a separate, more serious "failure to stop at scene of accident" offence (s. 320.16). The two are not interchangeable and carry very different consequences.
How many demerit points is a fail-to-remain ticket?
A provincial fail-to-remain conviction in Alberta carries 7 demerit points — among the highest demerit weights for a non-criminal moving violation. A criminal hit-and-run conviction carries its own consequences in addition to demerit treatment.
What if I did not realize I was in a collision?
Knowledge is a factual element of fail-to-remain matters. Whether you knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that a collision occurred is something disclosure and trial preparation can test. The answer depends entirely on the specific facts.
Can a hit-and-run charge be reduced?
In some matters, where the evidence supports it, a resolution to a lesser charge may be possible. This is highly fact-dependent and turns on the disclosure, the alleged conduct, and the local court. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
Do I need a representative or a criminal lawyer?
It depends on the charge. Provincial fail-to-remain tickets are traffic matters. Criminal Code hit-and-run charges are criminal matters and should be handled by a criminal defence lawyer. Reading the ticket carefully is the first step in figuring out which you are facing.
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Related resources
The information on this page is general guidance about Alberta traffic ticket matters. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create a solicitor–client or representative–client relationship. Outcomes depend on the facts of each matter. For advice on your specific situation, request a ticket review.