Understanding Red Light Tickets
Receiving a red light ticket may
seem like a small offense but the truth is that it can still have significant
impact on your driving record and insurance premiums. Many people in Ontario
are aware of the importance of
fighting speeding
tickets, but few people choose to challenge red light tickets. It can seem
like too much of an inconvenience to fight a red light ticket and many people
choose to simply pay the fine to make it go away. A red light ticket does not
simply go away; it will impact your ability to drive for a full three years
after you are convicted.
It is advisable to educate yourself on exactly what the
implications are before choosing to pay any type of motor vehicle ticket. Most
red light tickets not only have a fine, but also involve demerit points. Demerit
points may not seem like a big deal at the time, but insurance companies
periodically review the driver’s abstracts and any traffic violations or
demerit points translate into hefty increases in insurance premiums. For
drivers with previous violations, further demerit points can result in license
suspension.
Know Your Rights and Options
A traditional red light ticket
is issued by a police officer for failure to come to complete stop at a red
light or a stop sign. A red light ticket can also be given to drivers whose car
passes any part of a marked pedestrian walkway at an intersection. The ticket
that is issued will have both the fine amount and the number of demerit points
that will be deducted. These tickets provide three pleas to be entered
including:
- Guilty
- Guilty with an explanation
- Not guilty with the request for
a trial
Payment of the fine displayed on
the ticket automatically enters a guilty plea. Choosing a not guilty plea and
filing intent to appear in court are the only ways to fight for the dismissal
of the ticket or at least a reduction in either the fine amount of the number
of demerit points lost.
Fighting Your Red Light Ticket
There are professional paralegal
companies who will meet with you to discuss your situation and advise you of
the options available. Enlisting the help of experienced legal professionals is
the best way to understand your situation and find the appropriate course of
action.
Obtaining effective
representation allows you to have a representative challenge the traffic ticket
and appear in court on your behalf. This prevents you from missing work to
fight traffic tickets while
also receiving premium quality legal services.
There are paralegal companies
operating in Ontario with over 20 years of experience in the field. This
involves experience helping people fight convictions for a variety of charges
including:
- Impaired driving
- Driving without
insurance
- Speeding
- Careless driving
- Driving under suspension
- Out of province tickets
(including Quebec and New York)
Consult with an experienced paralegal team before paying red
light tickets or pleading guilty to any other type of motor vehicle charge
brought against you. Find out how they can help you understand your rights and protect
your driving record.