Long story short- Due to an accident I was charged with "Driving with undue care and attention" Which is a mandatory court appearance. My neighbour is a crown prosecutor and she called a friend of hers in the traffic section and I guess once your file is down at the traffic court building you can go and dispute it.
I went down today and waited in line (30mins) to meet with the duty prosecutor (an ex-cop). I explained my story and asked if he would consider allowing me to plead guilty to the lesser fine of following too close. He one-upped me and gave me R.O.following too close (registered owner) which is the same fine with no demerits.
This is the same thing that Pointts does, infact, Charlie from pointts was down there with some cases at the same time I was. All you have to do is point out a valid point or two and they are pleased to lighten the docket for court hearings. Its a win-win. They get the money and a lighter court docket and we get to save some cash along the way.
I would urge anyone who is considering hiring someone for ticket defense to try it on their own first, I saved myself $375 by giving it an hour of my time. You don't need to know any loop holes in the law, its more of a plea bargain. Everyone who was infront of me today got off easier ( I was eavesdropping so I would know what to say). And if possible, always try for R.O. because you are charged as the registered owner, instead of the driver so the fine doesn't carry any demerits.
I figured if it didn't work, I could always hire someone to defend me, but with the prospect of saving myself $375 I thought it was worth it and would definately do it again. You make your statement in a small private office, not in open court. There is no spectators, or cops or anything. Just you and the duty prosecutor. And he is pretty fair. What I did today, is the same thing Charlie and Pointts would do, except it'd cost more.