Dispute For Speeding Ticket.. Need Help!!

[GSR_aaron]

Hi,

I got a $200 speeding ticket a couple of months ago,,

it is my first one ever..

and I heard about reducing the amount of fine by dispute,

so I am gonna go to Justice of the Peace tomorrow morning..

I'm gonna dispute for..

1. it's my first time..

2. and didn't know the speed limit(was 80km/h.. I didn't know that)

3. and.. I am a kinda newbie in Canada...

but one of my companion told me to just pay the whole fine

because I will have to wait half a day to be on the court,

and lose time and money. (I paid $100 per a day in my work.)


so.. do u guys have any idea?

usually do I have to wait for hours? (not for disputing, but for attending on the court..)

reducing of the fine would be possible? in my case??

hmm please help me.. confused.... hmm...:dunno:

[Kaos]

Go early in the morning. (Even before they're open, so you dont wait an hour or so)
#1 & #2 isnt gonna get you a lower fine.
They'll tell you that you should be aware of whats around you.
What if you hit a pedestrian, you cant say you didnt see them.
They'll ticket you for driving with undue care

Talk to the JP and see if you can just pay the fine and not get any demerits.

[TaiChino]

I heard if you plead guilty to a traffic offense, sometimes they will lower the fine or demerits for you, don't quote me though.

P.S. Pleading ignorance - Saying you didn't know about the limit - is one of the worst things you can do, so when you do go to court don't use that one. They don't look kindly on it.

[googe]

Here is how it works

Go before the date specified on the ticket, wait in line to see the Justice of the Peace. You have the choice of paying, or talking to the Crown Prosecutor. Say youd like to talk to the CP. She'll take your name down and you sit down on the chairs.

After that, youll hear someone yell your name from the row of offices by the chair. Go in. Dont give any excuses, just ask if he has any other options to offer you. 99% of the time he will say 1 of 2 choices

1) Pay full fine, but receive no demerits on your driving record

2) Reduce the charge, so you pay a lesser fine (Example if you went 30 over, he might reduce it to 20 over), and also receive demerits associated with the lesser charge on your record

Both of these imply a guilty plea

Just for talking to the CP they will usually reduce it, and he will say choose one of those now, or set a court date. Its highly unlikely he will drop it altogether.

If you dont like any of his options you can then set a date to fight it entirely, but you probably wont want to do that.

Best to take an offer by the CP and it will probably take 1-2 hours depending when you go.

[GSR_aaron]

Thank you for replies...

I'm gonna go there about 7:30 am..

and.. If I meet CP, and choose "Reduce the charge" option,

all of these procedures happens one day? (1-2 hours) or....hmm

I thoght that,,,

I have to go for apply dispute, first,

and later, have to attend again when they call me

(by letters some thing like that..)



which is right??

I can spend just 1-2 hours for this ticket? if so..

I would be happy..hahah.....

anyway thx again for u guys.. :thumbsup:

[googe]

Originally posted by GSR_aaron
Thank you for replies...

I'm gonna go there about 7:30 am..

and.. If I meet CP, and choose "Reduce the charge" option,

all of these procedures happens one day? (1-2 hours) or....hmm

I thoght that,,,

I have to go for apply dispute, first,

and later, have to attend again when they call me

(by letters some thing like that..)



which is right??

I can spend just 1-2 hours for this ticket? if so..

I would be happy..hahah.....

anyway thx again for u guys.. :thumbsup:

Yes, all in 1 day. You only have to come back a 2nd time if you do not want to take what the CP offers, and want to fight the ticket in court. I think last time I went it took me 45 minutes to go from my car in the parking lot, to standing in lane, to talking to the JP, then the CP, getting my ticket reduced, paying it, and getting back to my car.

The CP might offer you nothing, but I dont think he will, unless they have changed in the past few months. In Calgary I have never heard of them not offering a reduction just for showing up. Other places in Alberta are more strict.

If the CP offers you no choices to reduce it, then your only option is to plead not guilty and take it to court which will be set at a later date.