First 'Major' ticket

I'm with plumcrazy on this, set a court date, (it will probably take about a year to get a court date) and they will likely reduce the charge and points.

I did this just before christmas. I had 2 charges, 1. failure to show insurance, (insurance slip was expired). 2. 21km over I think, the officer knocked it down from 30 over, they got me in a trap where the speed limit steped down from 60 to 40. So pretty close to your deal.

Anyhow, here is how the process worked in my case (Scarborough Style)

- I went to court on the dated given, do not be late. While I was waiting around for the court room to open up, the office called out my name, I showed her my insurance slip, which was up to date this time. She was also pretty cool about it, because she walked me through the court process, she also suggested that I listen to the crown prosecuter carefully, hint, hint, nudge, nudge. I took this to mean, they're going to make you an offer, it is a good one and it's the best your going to get so take it, because our case is tight as a drum and you'll get slaughter if this goes any further.

- When you go into the court room, you will meet with the prosecutor, they either call out your name or if your lucky they don't (I'll explain why in a second)
- The prosecutor will likely make you an offer. In my case, they asked the office if they were satisfied with the insurance slip provide, she said yes, the charge was dropped. Then they asked if I would plea to a 15 over, which is a $50 dollar fine and no points. Worked for me.
- Here is the interesting part. If your name was not called, this was about a quarter of the people there, they dropped all charges. I think the officers either did not show up, or the evidence was not sufficient.
- Once the prosecutor meets with everyone, the judge came in and they started calling us up to the front of the room one by one. That where you plead guilty to the charge.
- You leave the court, pay your fine and your done. It was a nerve racking at first, but actually no big deal in the end it only took a couple hours when it was all said and done. I also noticed they had no patience for excuses, the crown just wants to get small fry like us done and over with.

Even if they don't reduce the charges, your insurance is not affected until after the conviction. It will also be off your record 5yrs after the offense date so if it takes a year to get a court date, then you only have 4yrs to go until it clears your record.

Incidently, I believe for simple cases like ours, those ticket fighting places are just playing the odds that the court will reduce the charge.

I should also mention you can meet with the prosecutor anytime before you court date to plea bargin. You'll then plea'd guilty to a justice of the peace.

Your cop must have been having a bad day. I've been pulled over twice, both times the offices recommended it go to court.