And lying is a big leap from a cell phone ticket.
http://www.defencelaw.com/penalty-administration.html
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There isn't an amount of money you could pay me to stand in front of anyone and say that with a straight face...
I know it isn't what you want to hear, but this is an argument that I would consider to actually hurt your case if it was brought up rather than help it.
As Rob has already suggested, all facial tissues are kleenex. all moving stairs are escalators, all bottles that keep your food/drinks warm is a Thermos.
In the end though, its your choice, maybe the JP would appreciate the laugh, but everything I have read in this thread is completely garbage. Who cares if its not a blackberry, who cares if you have the handsfree ****. If they ask you straight up whether you were using a handheld device at the time, unless you can say no ( which from the looks of this thread you can't without lying ) you are dead in the water and just wasting your time.
This post does not provide any legal advice and readers should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.
And lying is a big leap from a cell phone ticket.
http://www.defencelaw.com/penalty-administration.html
R e a d S l o w l y ! - Children at Play.
What is this disclosure thing, everyone is talking about? I got a speeding ticket today, cop reduced it to $50 and no points, can I use this disclosure thing to save me, or Am I stuck hiring on the the ticket fighting companies?
Morally Ambiguous (submissions welcome)
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." - Oscar Wilde
I think this statement sums it up pretty well. You don't get a free pass because the cop write "blackberry", but you do get to attack his credibility. On that note, what proof do you have that you DON'T own a Blackberry? Having a company phone doesn't exclude the possibility of having a personal phone (e.g. a Blackberry)
Section 11(c) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says otherwise... although this may be a stretch.
Last edited by EngineerJoe; 04-08-2012 at 10:52 AM.
This post does not provide any legal advice and readers should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.
Section 11c is construed quite differently from what Americans call "taking the Fifth." You have a right not to be compelled to be a witness in proceedings against you. That means you have a right to not be called to the stand, to give testimony for The Crown. You can, however, take the stand of your own volition and, if you do, you must answer all questions put to you truthfully. It doesn't matter who asks them.
Morally Ambiguous (submissions welcome)
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." - Oscar Wilde
If you were talking on a phone regardless of being a BB or not, I don't think it will matter. Also, if you work for Motorola, and you don't pay for your phones, then I am sure you would be supplied with a Motorola hands free device because your employer cares about the laws and your safety while working for them.
I am all for fighting tickets though, so I wish you luck in your defense.
Just did a little research on "taking the Fifth" in the US and, rather surprisingly, it's quite similar in use to out 11c. You can't be compelled to be a witness against yourself, but must answer all questions put to you if you do take the stand. This is the same as 11c.
The difference between the two is if you are called as a witness, in a case in which you are not the accused. In the US you can "take the Fifth", refusing to answer questions when doing so might serve to incriminate you. In Canada you must answer, but the information cannot be used against you (Charter part 13).
Just goes to show that I'm also not immune to the American television mind-screw, but at least I look it up.
Morally Ambiguous (submissions welcome)
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." - Oscar Wilde
Worst case is you take time off work to go to court, pay for parking, waste a day sitting around waiting for your trial and get convicted. Seeing as you are telling us here that you were using a phone, why would you want to go that route? Generally people who plead not guilty are not guilty.
I looked it up as well (thanks Wikipedia) but after reading the Charter and the Wiki (more the Charter than the Wiki), I wasn't sure if 11c applied to the entire testimony or just individual questions, hence stating I think it's a stretch.
Your second paragraph is news to me though.
the 2nd paragraph is 100 % correct.
a witness in canada in proceedings against another is generally compellable and must answer all questions.
You can not refuse to answer questions that are incriminating, but they can not be used against you in separate proceedings against you.
That being said there are other grounds to refuse questions, usually on a privilged basis ( spousal /solicitor client) etc.
This post does not provide any legal advice and readers should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.
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