As former police officers and licensed paralegals, we’ve helped thousands of drivers successfully fight their speeding tickets. We can help you too.
Each case is handled by a trial paralegal who specializes in fighting speeding tickets. Our approach is strategic and thorough.
How We Fight Your Speeding Ticket
We’ll handle every step of your case by:
- Listening to your side of the story
- Filing your ticket at court and entering a not guilty plea
- Preparing the case for trial by:
- Ordering the officer’s notes (disclosure)
- Filing legal motions or applications
- Attending all pretrial meetings and motion dates
- Appearing on your trial date for you
- Providing a detailed written report after the trial
We also gather all necessary evidence, including officer notes and radar manuals, while keeping you updated throughout the process.
Most drivers don’t have to attend court. OTT Legal will appear for you.
What Happens in Traffic Court
Speeding ticket trials are held in traffic court before a justice of the peace (JP). The police officer is represented by a provincial prosecutor.
The prosecutor’s job is to help the officer prove the charge and secure a conviction. The Prosecutors are not there to assist drivers, and there is no duty counsel or legal aid for traffic offences.
The prosecutors job is to convict you of the offence, they are not in court to help you, or provide you with any guidance at all. There is no Duty Counsel or Legal Aid for traffic tickets
When the Officer Doesn’t Show Up
There are instances where the officer doesn’t appear in court, which happens about 10% of the time. When this occurs, the charge may be withdrawn. However, if the prosecutor offers a valid reason for the officer’s absence, the justice of the peace (JP) can reschedule the trial.
The question being, if this is your only defence strategy, what are you planning to do if the officer is there?
Relying on the hope that the officer won’t show is not a reliable strategy for winning. Most drivers prefer better odds by hiring a professional to fight on legal technicalities and cross-examine the officer. If you need to request an adjournment, you must have a valid and verifiable reason. Lying or misleading the court is considered a criminal offence.
Why Were You Speeding? Explanations vs Defences
Explaining why you were speeding won’t get your ticket dismissed.
The prosecutor might offer to reduce the ticket, but the conviction will still appear on your driving record. This can:
- Increase your insurance rates
- Lead to demerit points
- Result in license suspension in some cases
Only a legal defence, a legal reason will result in your ticket being dismissed. e.g. the officer didn’t test the speed measuring device that day, or the officer has used the wrong jurisdiction on the ticket. A reduced fine may not save you from the long-term effects on your driving record and insurance.
Winning a Speeding Ticket Trial
Speeding ticket trials are won based on legal technicalities such as:
- Cross-examining police officers
- Legal issues like filing dates, errors, or omissions
- Issues with disclosure and time delay arguments
- Testing procedures for speed detection devices
At OTT Legal, we know how to challenge these issues and win your case. With years of experience in traffic court, we’ve successfully fought thousands of speeding tickets.
In traffic court, the police officer is assisted by a court-appointed prosecutor who may have years of experience. To even the playing field, it’s essential to have experienced representation like OTT Legal by your side.
Learn more about fighting traffic tickets >>