No one likes getting a traffic ticket. In fact, they dislike it so much, many people look for ways to get a traffic ticket dismissal.
They have good reason too. If you are convicted of the charges on the traffic ticket, you can face a few different costs. First, you have to pay the fine for the ticket. Second, traffic ticket convictions on your driving record can increase your car insurance rate. Third, you nay have costs related to attending court.
When Courts May Dismiss Your Traffic Ticket
Unfortunately, unless you have reliable legal advice from and experienced traffic ticket lawyer, there are generally only three ways to get your ticket dismissed.
First, if the officer who issued the ticket doesn’t appear in court, the ticket could be withdrawn. Second, if there is any fatal error in the information on the ticket recorded by the officer who issued it, like the wrong section number or if the original copy of the ticket isn’t signed the ticket may be withdrawn. Third, courts may stay a traffic ticket if there is violation of your Charter Rights. Example: The court took too long to schedule your trial date (delay).
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting a Traffic Ticket Dismissal
Your traffic ticket will list the three options you have. The first two options — plead guilty by paying the fine; and, second, plead guilty with an explanation, meet with the prosecutor — give you no possibility of having your ticket dismissed.
Therefore, if you want any chance of a traffic ticket dismissal, you must choose the third option — the trial option. When you choose the trial option, you give yourself many advantages
- It’s the only option where you can get the traffic ticket dismissed (other than the scenarios listed above)
- You will not have to pay any fines until after the trial
- If a conviction results in increased car insurance rates, they will not go up until after the trial
- Any demerit points that you get due to conviction will not be added to your record until after the trial date
- You may have a defence to the charge that can be presented at trial and hopefully result in a dismissal
You Need a Specialized Traffic Ticket Attorney
Unless you are very knowledgeable in how traffic tickets are issued, understand court procedures and know how to properly present your case, you should hire a traffic ticket lawyer to have the best chances of having your ticket dismissed.
X-Copper’s team of traffic ticket lawyers and former police officers understand the laws, methods of enforcement and court procedures, to defend your rights, and get the best possible outcome for you.
To learn more about fighting traffic tickets, check out our recent article “5 Steps to Appeal Traffic Ticket Convictions“.
