Professional Traffic Ticket Representation:

Question: What are the likely insurance, demerit, and licence-suspension consequences in Ontario after a major traffic ticket conviction?

Answer: A conviction for a major driving offence in Ontario usually triggers substantial fines and mandatory surcharges plus significantly higher insurance premiums for about three years, and if you have prior convictions or are close to the demerit-point threshold, you may also face licence suspension and employment or good-driver condition impacts.   A paralegal at SFG Paralegal Services LLP can review the specific charge details and your driving record to assess your defence options, including how evidence and witness issues may be challenged and how to reduce avoidable consequences before your matter moves forward.   For help as soon as you receive a ticket, call (888) 398-0121 in Ontario.

Providing Strategic Defence Advocacy

Major charges, whether individually or when combined with other minor or other major offences, can lead to significantly higher insurance premiums. When paired with other charges or past convictions, there is also the risk of licence suspension due to an accumulation of demerit points, along with hefty fines. A thorough professional assessment of the potential consequences, the relevant facts and the applicable defence theories, is essential when dealing with a major driving offence charge.

Protecting Against Significant Consequences

Generally, upon conviction for a major traffic offence, a driver is subjected to significant fines and surcharges as well as the likelihood of significantly increased insurance rates for three years.  Depending upon the prior conviction history for the driver, there is also a potential for a licence suspension, among 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.