Fighting Traffic Tickets Since 1980 | Over 40 Years of Experience
Traffic Ticket? Don't just pay it. We can help!
We handle all driving offences issued under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), Liquor Control Act (LLCA), Cannabis Control Act (CCA), Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA) and all related regulatory offences. Whether you received a standard ticket with a fine or a serious summons to appear in court, our legal team has the expertise to protect your license and your insurance rates.
Unsure what type of charge you have or what your next steps should be?
Click the button below to upload a copy of your ticket, or call us toll-free at 1-866-801-8299 for an immediate, free ticket review with a licensed agent.
At Ticket Defenders, we pride ourselves on being completely forthright, honest, and upfront with you. If a ticket isn’t worth hiring a representative for, we will tell you straight out. We will always give you a realistic understanding of your options, how to fight it, and what reasonable expectations to have for your matter.
These are standard Ontario traffic tickets (like speeding, running a red light, or stop sign violations) that feature a set fine amount listed at the bottom of the ticket.
The Rules & Deadlines: You have 15 days from the offence date to file the ticket with the court. Legally, your three options are to plead guilty and pay, request an Early Resolution Meeting (ERM), or request a Trial.
Our Strategy (Why We Choose ERM): At Ticket Defenders, we file the ticket on your behalf and we always select the Early Resolution option first. Why? Choosing ERM forces an early meeting with the prosecutor. This gives us a strategic window to review their evidence (disclosure) and negotiate a withdrawal or reduction before a formal trial is even scheduled. If a resolution cannot be reached during ERM, your legal right to a trial is still fully preserved, and we will proceed to block out a trial date.
Expected Timeline:
These are high-stakes, severe offenses under the Highway Traffic Act (such as Stunt Driving, Careless Driving, or Driving Under Suspension). There is no set fine amount at the bottom; instead, you are issued a Summons ordering you to appear in court on a specific date.
The Process & Court Occurrences: Part III matters are intensely legalistic. Your first court appearance is purely administrative in nature—meaning a final decision or trial does not happen that day. Instead, it is used to formally request disclosure, establish a timeline, and set the next date. Part III matters require multiple court appearances, usually spaced out every 1 to 2 months. All critical discussions and negotiations take place with the prosecution outside of active court time.
Why Early Representation Matters: We highly recommend hiring a representative prior to your first appearance date. Having a licensed professional on record from day one ensures fluid control over the case timeline, prevents accidental errors, and guarantees a clear, professional record if specialized legal motions need to be brought before a judge.
Expected Timeline: Part III matters are a marathon, averaging anywhere from 6 to 18 months from the initial summons date to a final resolution or trial conclusion.
A reopening application is explicitly for Part I tickets where you were convicted in your absence without a hearing (e.g., you missed a deadline or a court notice). It is a formal request asking a Justice of the Peace to strike down the conviction and grant a new trial date.
The Rules & Deadlines: You must submit a Reopening Application/Affidavit to the court within 15 days of becoming aware of the conviction. You must prove to the court that the conviction happened through no fault of your own (for example, if you never received your trial date notice in the mail).
The Trap of “Just Paying the Fine”: Sometimes drivers panic, pay the conviction fine, and then realize afterward that the hidden penalties—like catastrophic insurance hikes or a sudden medical suspension—are too much to handle. Technically speaking, paying the fine is viewed by the court as a voluntary plea of guilt, meaning a reopening is not always successful and depends heavily on local court jurisdictions. If you are in this loop, contact us immediately before filing anything
If you were convicted at any point during a serious Part III matter or went through a full trial on a Part I ticket and the decision did not go your way, you have the right to appeal the conviction or the severity of the sentence to a higher court.
The Rules & Deadlines: Appeals are highly technical and have a strict deadline of 30 days from the date of the conviction. Unlike reopenings, an appeal cannot be granted just because “it wasn’t your fault you missed court.” It requires proving a specific mistake of fact (the trial judge misread the evidence) or a mistake of law (the law was applied incorrectly).
The Process: Appealing a matter requires ordering, paying for, and analyzing the official court transcripts from the original trial. Generally, the outstanding court fines must also be paid in full before an appeal can proceed, unless a judge grants a specific extension or waiver. This is an intricate, upper-tier legal battle that should never be attempted without experienced licensed representation.