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.

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Providing Strategic Defence Advocacy

Major charges individually, or in combination with minor charges or another major charge, may result in significantly increased insurance rates, and when in a combination with other charges, or past convictions, a possible licence suspension for accumulation of too many demerit points as well as significant fines.  Accordingly, a careful, professional, review of the various consequence scenarios as well as the facts and law applicable to a major charge is well deserved.

Note: Please contact Sharda Paralegal by phone at:  to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

Protecting Against Significant Consequences

When convicted of a major traffic violation, a driver usually faces steep fines and surcharges, along with the probability of increased insurance rates for the next three years. Depending upon the past driving record, there is also the possibility of a licence suspension and other consequences.

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.