Professional Traffic Ticket Representation:

Question: Facing a major driving offence charge in Ontario, what consequences should I expect and how can a paralegal defence help me reduce them?

Answer: A conviction for a major driving offence in Ontario can mean steep fines and surcharges, 3 years of higher insurance rates, and possibly licence suspension if your demerit points are near the limit or you have prior convictions within the past three years; it can also be required for employment to keep a good driving record.   A paralegal at Pollock Paralegal can review the case facts, identify aggravating factors, scrutinize the evidence and witness testimony, and guide your defence strategy and paperwork/court process so you can pursue the best outcome possible.   For a case-specific review in Ontario, call (519) 694-0363.

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.

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.