THIS IS MY FIRST TICKET. IS IT REALLY WORTH FIGHTING?
We get this question A LOT. REMEMBER Insurance companies are in business to make money. They use the number of tickets you get to raise your rates. You should fight all tickets.
HOW DO I HAVE ANY CHANCE OF WINNING IF I AM GUILTY?
We have a high success rate.Therefore, we are generally able to do "something" for a person charged. You have to remember that each case is like a chess match. They make a move....we make a move and so on. You simply have to "go with the flow" and counter their moves. You may "get off" or have the charge lessened for any number of reasons.
If your plea is guilty, all of the options of the chess match are gone, and you have no chance of getting off or having the charge reduced.
If your plea is guilty, all of the options of the chess match are gone, and
you have no chance of getting off or having the charge reduced.
THE OFFICER NEVER SHOWED ME THE RADAR READING, CAN I GET OFF?
Officers do not have to show you the speed measuring device's reading. Higher courts have ruled on this. Would seeing a digital readout convince you whether you were speeding or not? It certainly would not convince me. There again, some "radar" set ups are not conducive to showing you the device. For example, enforcement of the speed laws on the highways where the speed measuring device is up on a bridge and the officers stopping people are some distance away. Another example is the use of police aircraft in rural areas. It would be impossible to land the plane to show a person the stop watch used.
THE OFFICER DID NOT TELL ME THERE ARE POINTS. IT IS NOT MARKED ON THE TICKET.
Demerit points are added to your licence by the "Ministry" that gives you your Drivers Licence. This happens upon conviction for a charge that carries demerit points, and have nothing to do with the police or the courts. That is why there is nothing marked on the ticket. If you are convicted of an offence, the conviction notification is sent from the courthouse to the Ministry, where the Demerit Points are attached to your licence. Aside from the "everyday" tickets handed out, most police officers would have a difficult time rhyming off the demerit points associated with some of the more obscure charges. Remember that you start with zero points and accumulate.
If you are not sure about a charge, call us and we will discuss the situation.
WHY AM I NOT REQUIRED AT COURT?
There are a couple of times when we do not "require" you at court.
(1) If you have committed the offence (and therefore we would not be using your
testimony).
Example An officer charged you with speeding 34km/h over the speed limit, and you tell us you were doing only 15 km/h over. We would not require you at court. The reason is that the offence itself (under the Highway Traffic Act) is "Speeding", which you admit to. The only bone of contention is the amount of speed and ultimately the Demerit Points. Therefore whatever we can do for you, we can do without you attending.
(2) You cannot give any meaningful evidence on your behalf.
Example: An officer charged you with speeding 34km/h over the speed limit, and you
tell us you are not sure how fast you were going.
Most people don't want to attend court even if they really should. One thing you can be assured, a C.O.P.S. representative can attend court for you if you don't want to go. You pay us to look after your interests at court.
Remember. If you are not required at court, you are always able to attend court
if you wish.
HOW COME MY INSURANCE WENT UP AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY CHARGE WAS
REDUCED OR WITHDRAWN?
You have to remember that Insurance companies are out to make money, simple as that. They raise rates through tickets (your driving record) and at fault accidents and claims. For accidents, they use what is commonly known as a "fault chart". This determines (between the involved insurance companies) who is deemed at fault for the accident without having a big costly "investigation" of the facts. Certain charges will also affect insurance rates. When you combine the two, that is where you get a substantial increase in your rates. We try and minimize any rate increase (if there is going to be any).
Example: You rear end a car and cause several thousand dollars damage; no injuries. The police attend and charge you with Careless Driving.
1) The insurance company will raise your rates a little to recoup the money paid out to fix your car. 2) A Careless Driving conviction will raise your insurance rates to the same as a convicted impaired driver, which is usually known as "facility" or high risk insurance.
If we attend court and get you out of the Careless charge, the insurance will still go up a little as a result of the accident, but the insurance company cannot raise your rates because of the Careless charge. We would therefore save you literally thousands on insurance premiums over the next 5 or 6 years (the length of time an accident can stay on your)
"insurance record")
THE OFFICER WROTE DOWN THE WRONG YEAR OF MY CAR ON THE TICKET. CAN I GET OFF?
There is a spot on the ticket that shows your licence plate number. Beside the plate number there is a box marked year. This is not for the year of your car, but the licence plate sticker year. That area has nothing to do with your vehicle year at all.
THE OFFICER SPELLED MY NAME WRONG. CAN I GET OFF?
The court can amend (change) anything on the ticket (that is wrong) to conform to evidence. Having said that, the courts choose not to amend certain things. It is best to give us a call and we will go over the mistakes and advise you what can dismiss (in this case the legal term is "Quash") and what won't.
ALWAYS REMEMBER!!!
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN by fighting your tickets.
Charges against your record (even no point charges; depending on the number) will
effect your insurance rates. It is best to fight each and every ticket you receive.
You could save yourself hundreds and sometimes thousands in increased insurance
premiums.
Give us a call and we will tell you what we can do for you.
Have a ticket….You Should Call The C.O.P.S.
Toll Free At 1-888-666-COPS (2677)
