If you happen to receive a ticket in Ontario, formally known as an Offence Notice, it will usually give you three options. You can find these on the back of the ticket. If you’ve been given a green Offence Notice then your three options will be:
- Option 1: Plead “Guilty” and pay the ticket
- Option 2: Meet with the Prosecutor to discuss a possible resolution
- Option 3: Plead “Not Guilty” and request a trial
Some jurisdictions still use the old blue tickets and the three options are slightly different:
- Option 1: Plead “Guilty” and pay the ticket
- Option 2: Plead “Guilty” but with an explanation to the court
- Option 3: Plead “Not Guilty” and request a trial
Regardless of the colour of the ticket, “Option 1” is the same. Most jurisdictions make it so easy for you to pay the ticket. You can pay over the phone, you can pay online, and you can use a credit card to pay it. Simple and easy. A couple clicks of the mouse and it’s done. You should only pick this option if you do not care about your driving record, you are so rich you can afford the huge increases in your auto insurance over the next few years, or you have given up the automobile for a bicycle as your sole mode of transportation for the next three years.
For the rest of us, “Option 1” is the worst option.
Why?
Once you pay the ticket, and the court office accepts your payment, it constitutes your plea of guilty and a conviction is registered against you. You will lose:
- the right to dispute any of the evidence against you, which may be flawed;
- the cost of the fine itself, plus the victim surcharge;
- the points against your driver’s licence (which could lead to being suspended from driving);
- potentially thousands of dollars over the next 3 to 5 years as your insurance rates increase from 15% to 200% per year; and
- possibly your job, or perhaps other job opportunities that require a clean driving record.
If you simply pay your ticket by choosing “Option 1” you are essentially relieving the Crown of the burden of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. There are many ways to raise a reasonable doubt of your guilt, even if you think you are dead to rights.
Please seek legal advice whenever you get a traffic ticket so all the options can be explained to you and then you can make an informed decision.
Tell us about your experience, leave a comment, or ask a question.
