This article provides you with answers to the most frequent questions, drivers usually ask about speeding tickets.

The officer declined my request to show radar reading. Is that right?

According to the Toronto traffic laws, the officer is not obliged to provide any driver with the radar reading at the time of the stop. However, it's not banned to ask the officer for radar reading and it's up to his/her will to chose to satisfy your request or not.

What should I do with my speeding ticket?

Well, for one thing you have an option to pay your fine. However, as you pay your fine for speeding you automatically plead guilty of the charge and as a result score demerit points. Eventually, they will be reflected on your driving record and stay there for 3 years. As a matter of fact, the penalty for breaking the speed limit incorporates the actual fine, demerit points and increased insurance rates as a consequence. Evidently, this is not the best option to go for.

Secondly, you can plead guilty with an explanation. That way you can reduce the amount of fine. However, the number of demerit points can not be dropped and will be marked on your driving record for 2 years.
As it turns out, the best way to beat your speeding ticket is to stand a trial. That way, you'll have a chance to prove you're not guilty and consequently dismiss your speeding ticket and demerit points.

The police officer treated me in a rude manner. Can I file a complaint for this offence?

This kind of an offence is not taken care of by The Justice of the Peace since their foremost concern is solely traffic offences. That is to say, all kinds of personal issues and unpleasant experiences with police officers are beyond the scope of the aforementioned institution. However, if you were verbally offended by the police officer you have the right to file a complaint with the Complaint Bureau of the police office for the further investigation. Remember though, your case will be examined in the most detailed way, therefore make certain your complaint is drawn up in a proper way and the officer will appear in court to give evidence.

I wasn't going as fast as officer claims. Is that a defense to my speeding ticket?

There is no sense in claiming that you were speeding less than the officer had registered. In any case you were speeding and therefore breaking the law. 10 or 25 km over the limit makes no difference. Speeding means you violated the Toronto traffic law and by challenging the issue you basically admit you committed this offence. That is to say, putting under question the number of kilometers you overreached means you automatically plead yourself guilty of the charge.

I can't meet my trial date. What shall I do?

Apply for an adjournment to a later date. If you are unable to be present at the trial on a due date you'll have to provide plausible reasons for that. Your adjournment application should be made in written form and submitted to the court 3 days before the trial date. Someone has to be present on your behalf. You cannot send it in by mail.

I missed the court date. What is going to happen to my speeding ticket?

If you miss the date of your trial it automatically means that you plea guilty of a charge. The trial will take place in your absence. As a result you'll be convicted of the offence. According to the court's decision you will have to pay a fine within the term of 15 days from the conviction date. As a consequence, this moving violation will be registered on your driving record and appear there not less than 3 years.

If the officer doesn't appear at court should my speeding ticket be automatically dropped?

Yes, it should. However, it's not always the case. If the officer can not be present at court due to the plausible reasons, the trial will be adjourned. In the event, you don't agree with the court with its decision to adjourn the trial to a later date you have the right to file a motion against it. Yet, you will need to clearly state all of the solid facts why the trial shouldn't be postponed and your speeding ticket subsequently dropped.

It's advisable you hire a professional paralegal to speak on your behalf and represent your case in due order. If you decide to defend yourself in court without any qualified assistance your risk to lose the case due to lack of specific knowledge and legal illiteracy. If you loose your case not only you will face another trial but kill your chance of having your ticket dismissed completely.

What is pre-trial?

Pre-trial refers to serious offences. Pre-trial takes place before the actual trial date providing both parties with the opportunity to discuss the issues to be brought up during the trial. Pre-trials are not typically associated to speeding tickets. You can not represent yourself at pre-trial because it will be carried out in the most professional way. If don't have any legal experience there is no way you can help yourself. You'll need to hire a qualified paralegal to assist you through the pre-trial.