Speeding Ticket Defence in Ontario

Paying the set fine is generally treated as a guilty plea and results in a conviction being registered against your driving record. That record is what your insurer may later see. It is usually worth having the ticket reviewed first so you understand what you are agreeing to.

In many Provincial Offences matters a licensed paralegal can appear as your representative, so you may not need to attend personally. Whether that is possible depends on the court, the charge and what the justice directs.

The number of points depends on how far over the limit the conviction is registered at, and points apply only on conviction — not when the ticket is issued. We can explain what the specific charge on your ticket may carry once we see it.

Speeding matters are sometimes resolved by discussion with the prosecutor, which can involve a plea to a different or lesser allegation. Whether that is available depends entirely on the case, the disclosure and the prosecutor. No result can be promised.

No measuring device is beyond scrutiny. Disclosure may address how the device was tested that shift, how it was operated and what training the officer had. Those details are part of what we look at.

If you do not respond in time, the court can enter a conviction without you and the fine becomes payable. There is a process for asking the court to reopen a matter in some circumstances, but it is discretionary — it is far better not to miss the date.

Automated speed enforcement tickets are issued to the vehicle's plate holder rather than the driver and are handled differently from an officer-issued speeding ticket. Send us the notice and we will tell you which process applies.

Convictions can matter more for commercial drivers because of employer and carrier record requirements. If you drive commercially, tell us at the outset so it can be factored into how the matter is approached.