[nospleeny]

Hey people... I know all you guys are pretty smart with this kind of stuff.

There are 2 tickets I'm fighting right now...
Both were back in April of 2007.

1. No validation sticker on the plate. The plates had the valid sticker, however, you know that little "white" colored sticker, it wasn't on the back of the ownership... or at least it was but I didn't photocopy the back after I placed the new validation sticker. I thought it was just the plate one that was important and the one on the ownership doesn't have to be present.

Problem is... the car got stolen so the plate stickers are gone. I filled out a plate declaration with the police department and turned the plate portion of the ownership into the MTO to receive a refund so I don't have any proof left because the MTO has my ownership now.

2. Speeding... 74 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Not reduced... no code on the ticket. Self explainatory...


----
Had a court date today. Cop showed up 1/2 way through ... half the people were let off free... and the rest had to pled guilty or get continuances. I asked for and received a continuance. So now it gives me about another month and a half to prepare.

What do you guys think I should do? What are your thoughts that I should fight this ticket?

[ojungoon]

Originally Posted by nospleeny

Hey people... I know all you guys are pretty smart with this kind of stuff.

There are 2 tickets I'm fighting right now...
Both were back in April of 2007.

1. No validation sticker on the plate. The plates had the valid sticker, however, you know that little "white" colored sticker, it wasn't on the back of the ownership... or at least it was but I didn't photocopy the back after I placed the new validation sticker. I thought it was just the plate one that was important and the one on the ownership doesn't have to be present.

Problem is... the car got stolen so the plate stickers are gone. I filled out a plate declaration with the police department and turned the plate portion of the ownership into the MTO to receive a refund so I don't have any proof left because the MTO has my ownership now.

2. Speeding... 74 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Not reduced... no code on the ticket. Self explainatory...


----
Had a court date today. Cop showed up 1/2 way through ... half the people were let off free... and the rest had to pled guilty or get continuances. I asked for and received a continuance. So now it gives me about another month and a half to prepare.

What do you guys think I should do? What are your thoughts that I should fight this ticket?

You got TICKETED for going 74km/h on a 60km/h zone?

HOLY SH**...
WHY DID U DRIVE SO DAMN FAST
its dangerous to be street racing u know.

[ctgazer]

first one should get off no probs...just show what you did or have the MTO send you a letter. should be ok for 6 weeks.

hmmm as for the speeding ticket, you may want to fight it. could be points, could not be. eitherway, its best to fight it and try to have it dropped or reduced. GL

[nospleeny]

I could call the MTO and request they send me a history of validation stickers for the plate? Like there's such a thing?

Second, 14 km/h over has no points and I'd really like to get off with it... Like I don't want that on record.

[giddyup69]

y not just hire one of those traffic specialists and be done with it?

i'm really surprised about the 1st one. sounds like he was being an ass. i don't keep my original registration in my car either. but i only have the 1 side copied. i guess i better make a copy of the other side as well. freaking silly though.. especially if u have a valid sticker on your plate. oh well.

[Soni]

traffic specialist? are they that good for sure can fight off the ticket?

[Joekerr]

I don't think a traffic specialist could help with a minor ticket like that. In fact, I'm not a huge fan of them anyways. You know, all they do is go in to see the prosecutor and ask them what the best deal is and then recommend you take it and charge you $200 for them going in there. Waste of time - you can do this yourself, or go through the ERP (early resolution program) which some courts offer - you'd have to call and find out. But ERP won't do anything for a minor ticket like this either - they can't drop the ticket entirely, all they can do is offer you less points or less dollars....but only for bigger tickets where they've got some room. With this one, its really all or nothing.

I guess I'd say go back and cross your fingers that the cop doesn't show for you - I don't think you're going to get out of it any other way.

Some traffic specialists know the cops and are able to slip them some money to get rid of your ticket - but hard to find these guys and of course, they probably won't tell you this.

[nospleeny]

Hrm... The traffic court specialists said it's not worth it to pay them $300 per ticket to fight when it's such small tickets.... but wtf... both tickets are so small, there's no reduction for any of them.

I have a question... do you think if I request disclosure at this point, it'd be too late? Like that'd buy more time, but would the courts frown on that because I did it only 1.5 months before the next court date?

[scoop]

How valuable is your time?
The first is a non-moving violation and is little more than a contribution to the tax coffers. That said, receipts and letters from the ministry would certainly aid you should you decide to challenge it (and chances are you would get off).
As for the second, everyone gets caught in one of those "fishing holes" at some point and 14 km over isn't worth the hassle IMO. No points. No insurance jackup.

[achien]

that may not be true.

no points <> no insurance jack-up!!!

you should fight it all the way, but prepare your defense well before you go.

Originally Posted by scoop

How valuable is your time?
The first is a non-moving violation and is little more than a contribution to the tax coffers. That said, receipts and letters from the ministry would certainly aid you should you decide to challenge it (and chances are you would get off).
As for the second, everyone gets caught in one of those "fishing holes" at some point and 14 km over isn't worth the hassle IMO. No points. No insurance jackup.

[nospleeny]

What defence should I have? Should I request a disclosure and try and fight the fact that the officer did not test the gun properly before and after therefore it might not have been calibrated properly?

[Joekerr]

pfftt. That will never work. Are you an expert?

I don't mean to come down hard - but its a ridiculous defense and IF you get an expert, then you're paying just the same amount. For an uncertain outcome too.

Nope - you're stuck, honestly. It sucks, I know, but hey, walk in there in a couple months prepared to pay if the cop shows, if he doesn't, well, its your lucky day. Good luck.

[nospleeny]

That blows. I wonder maybe I can talk to the cop before the trial and see if he can let me off easy. I mean these are lame tickets... 14 over is nothing... I might as welll have been going 25 over and have them reduce it to 14 over because it's the same.

[giddyup69]

Originally Posted by nospleeny

That blows. I wonder maybe I can talk to the cop before the trial and see if he can let me off easy. I mean these are lame tickets... 14 over is nothing... I might as welll have been going 25 over and have them reduce it to 14 over because it's the same.

u'll have a better chance talking to the prosecutor rather than the cop.

i'm surprised a traffic specialist wasn't interested in taking those tickets . my dad is old, retired, blind, and senile. he isn't the greatest driver in the world any more but he's not a daredevil either. every year he gets minor infractions just like yours. usually 15 over or rolling a stop sign. he always takes his tickets to a specialist... and his record is still clean.

[ARA5HE90]

you can take it to this place called points they help fight off tickets and they guarantee the win.. they are like ex cops or something and they do a good job.. theres one in newmarket near the court thats there.

[saam]

anything over 15 is points but with all the new laws ur best bet is to pled guilty with an explanation to why u were driving over the speed limit as long as u don't get points it will be a small fine had many of these tickets in the past..
best of luck and hope u don't get any points

[achien]

Have you ever tried? It is the prosecution that must established the foundation of this case, hence, it should be the prosecution that should hire the expert when challenged by the defence.

Originally Posted by Joekerr

pfftt. That will never work. Are you an expert?

I don't mean to come down hard - but its a ridiculous defense and IF you get an expert, then you're paying just the same amount. For an uncertain outcome too.

Nope - you're stuck, honestly. It sucks, I know, but hey, walk in there in a couple months prepared to pay if the cop shows, if he doesn't, well, its your lucky day. Good luck.

[nospleeny]

I mean this is a sucker ticket... the speeding one doesn't even have any points. It's sort of all or none. I'm going to call this POINTS place and see what they can do... but than again... paying $100 for the fine is better than $300.. and likely the insurance wouldn't even see that ticket no?

[scoop]

One ticket -- and it is a sucker ticket no doubt -- will not affect your rates (depending on the carrier; most give you a grace).
Two is a different story, but even then, the rates wouldn't be through the roof. Either way, it's off the books in a few years.
The insurance company would not know until after a conviction has been registered and then when your renewal comes up.

[nospleeny]

So in other words, you guys think I should just cross my fingers and hope the cop doesn't show. That's it?

[Rossland]

I used to work for the Govt of Ontario, and as I recall govt vehicles had a photocopy of only one side of the ownership in the glove box. You might want to check if this is still the practice, and ask the cop if he has a copy of both sides in his police car.

[nospleeny]

Just thought I'd update you guys on the ticket situation. Today was court date... it was at the Markham road location.

There must have been like 40-50 tickets on the docket. All the people before me, the cop showed up. THANKFULLY, mine, the cop never showed up. Nice nice nice! Time to celebrate!

On a side note, as I was walking into the courthouse, I saw this E92 (2008), bright blue pulling into the parking lot looking for a space. --- Sexy color... yum