Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When should I call Highway Traffic Agent?
A. as soon as you can. The experience is fresh in your mind and questions asked of you may be easier to answer. As well peace of mind knowing you have our assistance is invaluable.
Q. Can I represent myself?
A. Legally yes, but keep in mind the highway traffic laws can be complex. Our Highway Traffic Agent are familiar with court proceedings, recent rulings, and technical issues that may very well find you not guilty.
Q. Can Highway Traffic Agent really help me?
A. Our qualified and experienced agent not only consider your recollection of the events but investigate through disclosure and specific aspects of the case to find weaknesses and defects. We challenge the prosecutor’s case through exclusion of evidence and proper investigation examples of physical evidence and testimony of witnesses. A negotiation with the prosecutor is extremely important and we have an excellent reputation. An individual who is not experienced with the Highway Traffic Act may miss an important aspect that could convict you. You can not substitute integrity, knowledge, experience, and reputation.
Q. How much will it cost?
A. Our fees are for our services - consider it a labour/consulate cost. Now consider the fine and the effect a conviction may have on your driver’s license or on your insurance rate. Our fee may be less than one month’s insurance payment. Well worth protecting your driving privileges. Always you are able to participate with our free consultation policy. No charge No obligation but now you know your options to make a more informed decision.
Q.I don't want to go to court, do I have to?
A.As your authorized agent you do not have to appear, however in a small percentage of cases your testimony may enhance a positive outcome. As our office keeps you updated and informed every step of th way you will have plenty of time to consider your preference in attending or not.
Q. This is my first or only ticket in years. It won’t have any negative effect on me, right?
A. My crystal ball is broken. If we knew what may happen next week, next month or nex year today’s decision would be easier. Every ticket should be questioned. The one you simply plead guilty to may be the one that is without merit and can be thrown out keeping you record clean.
Q. How do I know how many demerit points a charge may have?
A.Click on our demerit point page for a guideline.
Q. How many points can I have before I’m in trouble?
A. A full G driver will get a letter for an interview after 9 points and license suspended at 15. G2 will have an interview at 6 points and suspension after 9.
Q. If I plead guilty with an explanation will the Justice of the Peace throw out my charge and/or get rid of the points.
A. No the Justice of the Peace can only find you guilty of the charge you have been issued. The explanation will allow him to reduce the fine only.
Q. What if I can’t make my trial date due to work or vacation.
A. You will have to file with the court a ‘motion for adjournment’ and then appear on an earlier date, selected by the court, to ask for your trial date to be changed. If allowed a new date will be set. If you had retained Highway Traffic Agent this service would be free of charge and you would not have to take the day off work for the adjournment request or even possibly the trail date.
Q. Why not just accept responsibility and pay the fine?
A. NEVER - When you plead guilty YOU ARE GUILTY. What effect will be a fine, points and a conviction have on your record. Will your license be suspended? Is there jail possibilities? Why not take advantage of every right you are entitled to. Before you rush into anything take advantage of our knowledge and experience, a FREE CONSULTATION helps you make an informed decision. We have the solution.
Q. What is ‘we win or it is free’?
A. Watch out for this and get it in writing - what is a win and what is free. Some companies believe anything better than the ticket you are holding is a win. So a careless to a 4 point follow too close is a win so they agree with the prosecution and plead you out. You still get the 4 points and will pay the fine. But wait, what if the crown could not prove the careless charge, now you’ve been plead out to a lesser offence when you should have been found not guilty. For the next 3-6 years you will have the accident on your insurance records and for three of those years the conviction, wow some win: and look at what you paid the company for their “guarantee”. Well over the price of a “no small print’ professional company. Our company had a new client approach and request assistance in appealing their conviction as the ‘we win or it’s free’ company plead the client to the charge as it stood and got 30 days instead of the statutory 15 day time to pay the fine. This was considered a win to their company.
Q. I must be guilty the officer said the statements all say I’m guilty.
A. Most officers are not trained in accident investigation. On serious (fatality, extremely serious injuries) an accident reconstructionist will attend. For all others the office has been trained to complete the reports for the Ministry of Transportation’s statistics gathering rather than the elements of a charge. Stats and evidence are completely different things.
Q. I can plead guilty the insurance company told me I have no fault insurance.
A. No Fault insurance means each party claims through their own insurance company. If you make a claim you are assessed a claim, premiums may go up if it is your first claim and not assessed responsible for the accident. If you are charged you will be held responsible for the accident and further if found guilty with have a second strike against you definitely raising insurance premiums.
What to do if Stopped for a Violation
You have been pulled over. You can see clearly the flashing lights on the police car. Your hands
are sweating, and your heart is pounding. A lot of things are going on in your mind. All passing
motorists give you that look. Finally the police officer hands you the ticket, and conveniently
includes an envelope (so you can pay the fine quickly). What do you do? Plead Guilty or Not
Guilty? Here are six rules to follow:
1. Pull over to the side of the road on a wide shoulder or off the road into a parking lot where it is
safe to stop. Stay in your vehicle and let the police officer come to you.
2. Do not admit guilt at any time. Whether you think you are guilty or not, never admit it -
because you may be totally innocent.
3. Be polite and courteous at all times. Do not be confrontational. Answer all questions as best
you can without admitting guilt.
4. If given a ticket by the officer accept it graciously and without argument and if required to sign
for receipt, do so as requested.
5. Make notes immediately of all conditions at the time of the alleged offence: road
description, location of alleged violation, weather conditions, any witnesses (get names, addresses, phone
numbers, license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions) and make notes of what the officer said and your
recollection of all the pertinent facts surrounding the alleged violation.
6. Contact Highway Traffic Agent for a Free Consultation.
What to do if Involved in an Accident
1. If anyone is injured, immediately call for an ambulance and police.
2. Secure the accident scene so that no other motorist runs into the vehicles and/or persons at or around the accident scene.
3. Get help to assist in traffic control at the accident scene.
4. Try not to move the injured person(s) unless there other, more serious considerations which may cause more severe injury or death (such as fire, explosion, hydro wires etc.).
5. Look for witnesses and obtain their names, addresses, phone numbers and vehicle license numbers.
6. When police arrive, you will have to provide identification (driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance papers). Get the same information from all those involved in the accident for your insurance company and for any future court cases (whether criminal or civil).
7. When providing a statement to the police DO NOT admit any guilt whatsoever even if you think you may be guilty because you may be totally innocent. Advise the officer that you will complete the statement for the accident report and not for court purposes.
8. Be careful what you say to anyone at the scene including the police officer. The less you say, the better.
9. If you are charged as a result of the accident, do not argue the point with the police officer. If given a ticket by the officer accept it graciously and without argument and if asked to sign for receipt, do so as requested.
10. Be courteous and polite at all times.
11. Make notes immediately of all conditions at the time of the accident: road, exact location of alleged violation, weather and road conditions, lighting conditions etc., and make notes of what the officer and other witnesses said. Write down your recollection of all the pertinent facts surrounding the alleged violation/accident.
12. Contact Highway Traffic Agent for a Free Consultation.
What to do if Charged with an Offence
You now have two options:
• You can plead Guilty and pay the traffic ticket (if permitted) to the Courts and accept all the penalties that come with a guilty plea, including but not limited to: fines, demerit points, possible loss of driving privileges and increased insurance costs for years to come.
OR
• You can consult with Highway Traffic Agent and hear all your options. We will talk about the charges being reduced to a lesser offense, saving demerit points for you, and getting the fine reduced. In many cases, we can have the charge totally dismissed based on all the evidence and save you fines, demerit points and a great deal of money with no increases to your insurance policy.