Professional Traffic Ticket Representation:

Question: What are the real consequences of getting convicted of a major traffic ticket in Ontario, and how can I reduce the impact on insurance and my licence?

Answer: In Ontario, a conviction for a major traffic offence can bring substantial fines and victim surcharges, demerit points that may lead to licence suspension, and significantly higher insurance rates for about three years, with added risk if you have prior convictions in the last three years or are close to exceeding demerit-point limits.  If employment requires a good driving record, that can be another aggravating consequence.  For help assessing likely outcomes and planning a defence approach for your specific charge, Sharda Paralegal can help with practical, process-focused representation in Ontario, and you can call to get started.

Add this website to Google Preferred Sources

Providing Strategic Defence Advocacy

A major offence, especially when combined with minor infractions or other major charges, can lead to steep increases in insurance rates and, when accompanied by prior convictions or multiple infractions, the possibility of licence suspension due to demerit points as well as large fines. It is important to have a professional review of the potential consequences as well as the case specific facts and the applicable defence theory options, upon receiving a charge for any major driving offence.

Protecting Against Significant Consequences

A major traffic offence conviction generally brings about heavy fines and surcharges as well as the likelihood of significantly higher insurance premiums lasting for at least three years. For drivers with prior offences, there is also a risk of licence suspension and other penalties.

Factors Tending to Aggravate Penalties

The affects of conviction for a major driving offence can be significantly further aggravated:

• When a driver was previously convicted within the past three years on another charge;
• When a driver is on the cusp of having accumulated too many demerit points and this latest major charge now puts the driver at risk of a licence suspension, among other penalties; and
• When a driver is required to maintain a good driving record as a condition of employment.

Conclusion

Traffic tickets of the major charges type pose serious consequences involving substantial fines plus victim surcharges as well as demerit points that may be the straw that breaks the camel's back resulting in a license suspension.  Additionally, a major charge may result in substantially increased insurance rates including the potential for loss of access to standard insurance market and substitute placement into the highly priced Facility Association.

Accordingly, when charged with a major traffic ticket offence, hiring a professional who knows how to question witnesses, especially which questions to ask and which questions to avoid, and who knows the law, knows the paperwork processes and courtroom procedures, and knows how to make judicially persuasive arguments on the applicable legal principles, is highly important.