Traffic Ticket: Process for Online Dispute vs Not Guilty Plea

[a61z]

Hi all, now that we have this new online system for traffic violations, I am trying to properly understand the process and was hoping that somebody here would be able to provide some insight. I am having a very hard time finding the information online.

Received a traffic ticket and genuinely believe that it was incorrectly issued by the officer. Not a technicality or anything, but does not apply so am not guilty of a violation (I realize how this sounds, but the whole story is not really relevant).

Normally I would go downtown to talk to the bench/JP (?) person at the window to see if the ticket could be dismissed, but this process is no longer in place.

The online options for the ticket are now:

1) plead guilty and pay fine
2) dispute the ticket and submit the reason online
3) request trial date

While it seems that an online dispute would be a simpler first step rather than requesting a trial, it does not specify how this process actually works.
The website says that the dispute process simply sends your form to the prosecutor to decide your fate. It does not explain if I will be forced to accept the decision that they come to or if I can still plead not guilty afterward. Being the prosecutor, it seems that it would be in their interest to simply find everyone guilty and force the fine payment.

Does anyone have any insight? Should I be using the dispute feature in good faith in order to simplify the process, or should I be skipping straight to a trial request?

Appreciate any help! TIA!

[rage2]

The online or write in method isn’t new, have always been around. That said I’ve never heard of anyone successfully getting tossed out using that option. Go get a trial date. Way more fun anyways.

[tirebob]

Go talk to the JP in person. I have had two tickets reduced to the minimum and one ticket tossed that was BS that way. One did have to make it all the way to court, where I got it tossed as well.

[rage2]

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Go talk to the JP in person. I have had two tickets reduced to the minimum and one ticket tossed that was BS that way. One did have to make it all the way to court, where I got it tossed as well.

I think that’s the setting court date process now. They got rid of talking to JP during Covid. Not sure if they reinstated that or not.

[tirebob]

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I think that’s the setting court date process now. They got rid of talking to JP during Covid. Not sure if they reinstated that or not.

Well that's shit... I don't respond well to change.

[ShermanEF9]

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I think that’s the setting court date process now. They got rid of talking to JP during Covid. Not sure if they reinstated that or not.

AFAIK, at least in edmonton, the courts have not pulled the COVID restrictions yet.

[a61z]

Yeah we also no longer have the option to talk to the JP in person. I guess the online dispute option is supposed to be the replacement for that.

Setting a court date seems like way more hassle, but maybe the better option since the online dispute process seems very ambiguous. I still can't determine what options you're given after they review the dispute, so I don't want to be waiving my option of pleading not guilty and instead being forced to accept the dispute's outcome.

[JoniBoy]

You can also try emailing them and seeing if they'll reduce it but it's pretty rare they toss anything completely: [email protected]

Generally I'm with Rage - get a trial date. They're booking out into late 2023, so you get to delay a possible conviction/fine for 1.5 years, and there's always a chance the officer doesn't show up. If he does, they almost always offer you a deal prior to trial to avoid wasting court time. You'll be in and out of the courthouse in 30 minutes.

[rage2]

Cops don’t have to show up anymore. They’re basically writing out a statement and that’s their testimony if it goes to trial.

[JoniBoy]

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Cops don’t have to show up anymore. They’re basically writing out a statement and that’s their testimony if it goes to trial.

I know they've been doing this for intersection camera tickets - have they been doing it even for cases where you're physically pulled over?

[s3v3n]

That's interesting. In that case couldn't anyone just request discovery and then basically get a copy of the cop's entire testimony?

[rage2]

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I know they've been doing this for intersection camera tickets - have they been doing it even for cases where you're physically pulled over?

For me it did haha.

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That's interesting. In that case couldn't anyone just request discovery and then basically get a copy of the cop's entire testimony?

Ya the whole affidavit is attached on the next page.

[a61z]

Awesome thanks guys, that's pretty helpful.
Looks like they are booking about 20 months out now.

[Rocket1k78]

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1) plead guilty and pay fine
2) dispute the ticket and submit the reason online
3) request trial date

While it seems that an online dispute would be a simpler first step rather than requesting a trial, it does not specify how this process actually works.
The website says that the dispute process simply sends your form to the prosecutor to decide your fate. It does not explain if I will be forced to accept the decision that they come to or if I can still plead not guilty afterward. Being the prosecutor, it seems that it would be in their interest to simply find everyone guilty and force the fine payment.

Does anyone have any insight? Should I be using the dispute feature in good faith in order to simplify the process, or should I be skipping straight to a trial request?

Did this in jan and no you dont have to accept their decision. You explain your case and then they send you back a decision but you will get to decide if you accept it or not.

[Mogg]

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Did this in jan and no you dont have to accept their decision. You explain your case and then they send you back a decision but you will get to decide if you accept it or not.

+2 for this.
Nothing really to lose by submitting an online reduction request.

[CUG]

Another element of the online not guilty plea is for the purposes of letting demerits expire, if you happen to find yourself in that situation.

[Team_Mclaren]

Is it still online only or can you show up now?

Got a ticket with no speed recorded or speed limit.

[rvd]

Is it possible to request discovery/disclosure (officer dash cam footage) before requesting a trial or only after ?
Does listing the incorrect city/location on the ticket affect validity ?

[Shlade]

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Is it possible to request discovery/disclosure (officer dash cam footage) before requesting a trial or only after ?
Does listing the incorrect city/location on the ticket affect validity ?

The location doesnt have to be precise itll say at or near xx city/town etc that wont matter.