Immediately paying your fines for speeding might be the easiest option. But you might be able to fight your speeding ticket in traffic count and avoid paying at all.
Serious penalties can be imposed on speeding drivers. Based on how many kilometers over the speed limit you were allegedly going, you could lose from 0 demerit points (over the limit by under 15 kilometers) to 6 for driving more than 50 kilometers over the limit.
You can also have your license suspended for excessive speeding.
The set fines for speeding are between about $3 and $10 per kilometer, depending on how fast you were traveling. If you are charged in a school safety or construction zone with workers, fines may be doubled. Any speeding conviction will stay on your driving record for 3 years.
The idea behind going to traffic court is to protect your license points and insurance rating, and get your fine reduced as much as possible or eliminated altogether.
The system prefers to avoid expensive trials and have you pay your fines, so you may be asked to just appear before the court rather than set a trial date. You might even be offered a reduction in your fine in order to avoid a trial. Be firm if you are sure about fighting your ticket and request a trial date. Information about how to request a trail should be printed on the back of your ticket. The options may include appearing in person, mailing your request or applying for a trial date online.
You must file your intention to fight the fine within a limited amount of time. You will also have to indicate whether you or not you will dispute office evidence. Within four to eight weeks you will have a trial date.
Keep a record of what happened and what was said when you received your ticket. Make detailed notes of your version of the incident as soon as possible before your memory fades. This will help you with your defence in court.
You will receive the officer notes about the event in the form of disclosure after your request for a trial is processed. You are entitled to enough time to review disclosure thoroughly before going to trial. But you may have to file a request to receive disclosure. Is so, do it immediately after your trial date is set.
Study the disclosure notes and research any regulations or documents that you think might be useful. Don't be afraid to make use of paralegal services in person or online. Understand your charge and the fines associated with it fully before planning your defence argument. And if you cannot build an adequate defence that you think will get you off, plan to explain your actions and plead guilty.
The prosecutor or judge may suggest a lesser fine even if you do plead guilty. Request this of the prosecutor on the day of the trial but before you appear before the judge.
If you have good reason why a fine should be reduced or thrown out, chances are it will be. Which would make the time and trouble invested in fighting your speeding ticket well worth it
About the Author:
Getting a Traffic Ticket in Ottawa on your driving record can have serious consequences. Find the right Criminal Lawyer Toronto and former police officers to help fight these tickets. X-Copper Legal Services Professional Corporation 939 Eglinton Ave East, Toronto, ON M4G 4E8 (416) 696-6677.
