Traffic violations and ignoring to pay

They'll be waiting for you when/if you come back. You will have your drivers license suspended and you will not be allowed to drive until they're paid. In extreme cases they can put out a "bench warrant" for your arrest, but that is extremely unlikely. Extremely. Unlikely.

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Iceman said:
They'll be waiting for you when/if you come back. You will have your drivers license suspended and you will not be allowed to drive until they're paid.
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Yep, this basically. You'll have to pay them all if/when you return, as well as a $150 licence reinstatement fee at that time.

A warrant would only come into play if it was a serious charge involving a death or something, I would suspect....but the tickets will never go away, there's stories out there on the HTA forum about guys that had 10-15 year old tickets that resulted in a suspended licence still sitting there waiting for them when they tried to get things reinstated.
 
If driving under suspension x whatever that they will be looking for jail time upon conviction they may issue a bench summons. Not a warrant. Criminal they can put out a warrant, but I doubt they would allow you out the country.

On the other note, Your insurance will slam you if you have your dl suspended. One of the questions they ask when you apply for a dl.
 
With unpaid fines, your Ontario license # will remain in the system associated to you. I'm not sure at what point it gets suspended, but if you are found driving in Ontario at some time in the future, even though you may have a d/l from another province or another country, the suspended Ontario d/l applies and the related driving while suspended charges and penalties will be applied.
 
An administrative license suspension (didn't renew in time, and unpaid fines also falls under the "administrative" category IIRC) doesn't effect insurance, only a suspension related to DUI (and related) or major point tally counts against you for insurance purposes.
 
PrivatePilot said:
An administrative license suspension (didn't renew in time, and unpaid fines also falls under the "administrative" category IIRC) doesn't effect insurance, only a suspension related to DUI (and related) or major point tally counts against you for insurance purposes.
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**thread hijack**
Did you get my pm?
**back to thread**

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Are you guys all certain about the no-warrant thing?

Years back I got a ticket in Quebec that I thought was a warning -- it was all in French and had a box checked saying '48h advertisement' or something like that... so I ignored it.

This ticket was from the municipality of Levis, but I am fairly certain I got a letter from the RCMP -- although it could have been the QPP -- stating if I didn't pay the fine there would be a warrant out for my arrest.

The ticket was for not having a mirror on my motorcycle -- at least they didn't notice I didn't actually have a motorcycle license at the time.
 
Whatever it is ....fight it in court if you still can. They are not invincible and the cop might not show and you walk away.
At the very least you can get a reduced fine and pay then by the time you get back any insurance issue will likely be gone.
 
I don't think its that serious of an offense that there will be warrants issued. I got 4 Tickets.

1. Failure to follow the road sign. (Primary)
2. Unable to provide ownership papers.
3. Unable to provide original Insurance document. (I have a Massachusetts insurance and we don't carry insurance cards in MA, cuz everything is linked.)
4. Failure to report change of address.
I have no idea what that means. I was a student in Boston, now back in Canada for a while and then off to UK (James Bond style!!!)


Well I'm definitely contesting the tickets, but depending on when the court date arrives I may or may not be in the country. I will be leaving for UK this July and from my experience in the past sometimes the courts take half a year to issue date of appearance.
 
You can either hire someone, or get a friend to show up in court for you. At least it gives you a chance of dealing with it. Otherwise, they'll just enter a conviction on all tickets and those tickets and a suspension will be waiting for you when/if you come back to Canada.

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Joe Bass said:
**thread hijack**
Did you get my pm?
**back to thread**
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Yes, busy day, will respond shortly. ;)

Motorcycle Mike said:
Are you guys all certain about the no-warrant thing?

Years back I got a ticket in Quebec that I thought was a warning -- it was all in French and had a box checked saying '48h advertisement' or something like that... so I ignored it.

This ticket was from the municipality of Levis, but I am fairly certain I got a letter from the RCMP -- although it could have been the QPP -- stating if I didn't pay the fine there would be a warrant out for my arrest.
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La Belle Province beats to a different drum and although I wouldn't put money on it I'm pretty confident the threat amounts to nothing more - a threat to get you to pay up. You being out an out of province resident would have only given the more fodder to intimidate you.

MacDoc said:
Whatever it is ....fight it in court if you still can. They are not invincible and the cop might not show and you walk away.
At the very least you can get a reduced fine and pay then by the time you get back any insurance issue will likely be gone.
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As I understand it now, once you decide to fight a ticket you can no longer get it reduced, that's only if you plea guilty with an explanation (Option #2) and negotiate with the JP. In the case of more serious charges that people choose to fight I've read that the judge can now jack UP the ticket to the contrary.

xX-GMan-Xx said:
Well I'm definitely contesting the tickets, but depending on when the court date arrives I may or may not be in the country. I will be leaving for UK this July and from my experience in the past sometimes the courts take half a year to issue date of appearance.
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I wouldn't fight them unless you are 100000% sure you can beat them, particuarly if you are not sure you won't actually be able to attend the court date they give you as if you don't show you are found 100% guilty in absence..

The insurance slip, if you can prove (bring proof) you were not legally required to carry one because of the US insurance setup, that should get tossed. The others, your call. If I were you I'd go to the courthouse and talk to the JP and explain the situation - if you are honest telling them you're leaving the country (bring proof) and want to just get everything settled beforehand the JP may cut you some big breaks - they have a lot of leeway with the dollar amounts, but NOT the charges or points, but those won't be much of a concern for you as they'll be gone eventually, perhaps after you return.
 
Likely all fightable except the road sign

If you are more than 50 km from the court you can talk with the prosecutor over the phone and arrange a plea.

None of it sounds dire ...all of it should be dealt with.

http://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/sel...efendants-in-provincial-offences-cases/guide/

I beat my speeding ticket on reasonable doubt despite a furious prosecutor who was still arguing with the judge when I left.
From what I observed while waiting pleading down is the norm. ....but you need to start the process.

I wouldn't fight them unless you are 100000% sure you can beat them,
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That's a crock especially in Ontario where it affects your insurance. Fight every traffic ticket ( not parking ticket ) - if the cop does not show it's over and there are methods to help that occur.

There are all sorts of forums that advise you on doing it yourself ...the judge is neutral in this and effectively on your side as the prosecutor is on the hook and never your friend in it ...they just want a fast process....mostly it's a money churning machine.

here is one forum
http://www.ontariohighwaytrafficact.com

and another

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ask-...traffic-ticket-speeding-parking-etc-945928/3/

••••

here is a situation of reasonable doubt

Should you proceed to trial in which you cannot get a stay or adjournment, then you will have the opportunity to question the officer. According to your description of the events, you say you did stop, but the police officer says you did not. I also assume from your description that the police offer wasn't sitting hiding making sure everyone stops, but that he was visible and actually driving through the intersection, this is correct?
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http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ask-...traffic-ticket-speeding-parking-etc-945928/3/

and if it comes down to your version of events versus the cop ....IF the judge beleives you as she did with me....then you win as doubt always goes in favour of the accused. If it's your word against the cop and both explanations are reasonable...you should win. ( the prosecutor will lie to you and say that is not so quoting some latin crap )

But in OP primary ticket case I have no idea...but in all cases fighting it is worth while...that's what the process is for...don't be a wuss. :D
 
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MacDoc said:
That's a crock especially in Ontario where it affects your insurance.
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I used to agree wholeheartedly, but my concern with that tactic now, so far as fighting something you can't have any chance of winning (short of the officer now showing up, which is getting increasingly more rare it seems), it's been reported that the judge can increase the ticket retroactively (on a no-set-fine ticket, as I understand it) if he/she is having a bad day, or feels that you're wasting the court's time. ie, you got a ticket, the officers notes clearly indicated you admitted to the infraction, and now you're pleading not guilty.

Particularly considering the OP is unlikely to be able to actually attend a scheduled court date 6 or 8 months in the future, he'll be found guilty by default, and the full ticket amounts will stand. Pleading guilty with an explanation will at least reduce those (so pay a little now, or a lot later situation), and as mentioned...it doesn't sound like the points or record will matter much as it'll all be off his record by the time he actually returns, so that's all moot. The ONLY positive outcome that could be positive for the OP in fighting everything is the highly unlikely chance it all gets thrown out and he owes $0, but again...highly unlikely IMHO.
 
For serious infractions, the Justice of the Peace in traffic court can order a fine with time to pay with a jail sentence in default of payment.
Example: $1000 fine, 90 days to pay with 45 days in prison if you don't pay.
This used to be standard years ago, but not so much anymore.
There are still people driving around who get stopped by police.
The cops run their name on the computer and up comes the warrant.
Off to the station with a stop at the Green Machine.
 
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I forgot to pay a ticket once, license was suspended for a week and a half.

Got a letter in the mail saying my license was suspended as of 3 or 4 days prior. So for those days 3 or 4 days I was pretty much driving on a suspended license. Then when you pay your fines and fees it takes a few days. Takes even longer if you do it online, which I did thinking it would be the fastest way.

Never again.
 
OP on the fail to produce insurance card, doesn't matter what the "normal" procedure is in MA, Your insurer provides you with some form of proof of insurance when in Ontario, (or other states), you have to go by the law there. Now if you don't have one, get your insurer to email one to you. You will be going for "first attendance" or meet with crown. In about 98% of those meetings they will drop that charge if you have proof. As for the change of address, as long as you have proof your a foreign student, then again that charge should be withdrawn. Same thing if you provide your bike registration. Then the only thing left to deal with is the sign. If your not likely to be in Ontario, for three years then the insurance ramifications will be negated.

Your likely to already be paying high premiums when you return unless the insurer accepts your insurance history from overseas anyway.
 
hedo2002 said:
OP on the fail to produce insurance card, doesn't matter what the "normal" procedure is in MA, Your insurer provides you with some form of proof of insurance when in Ontario, (or other states), you have to go by the law there.
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My experience with this, on a non-ticket level, is that the officials don't care about policies or procedures from US states, even when legit. I bought a trailer in MI several years ago and when I imported it I went through all the usual RIV procedures to get an official Ontario ownership - only issue was that for trailers under 2500 Pounds, Michigan does not issue Titles, they only give you a permanent licence plate which constitutes ownership as well as paperwork related to the plate only, not the trailer. It seemed stupid and just invited theft since the plate was easily replaced, but I was able to confirm it.

The issue was when I went with all my RIV paperwork, inspection, etc etc to jump through the last hoop at the MTO and get my Ontario ownership - they demanded a title to prove I was legitimately in posession of the trailer. Except there was no title. They demanded one. I didn't have one, nor could I get one. They refused to issue me an ownership, suggesting that I had no proof I even owned the trailer. I called the MI DOT and they refused to issue one as the trailer was under 2500# and I wasn't even a resident. Eventually I found a loophole and got the trailer in my name, but it was a 2 month PITA to accomplish.

Now, all that said, when it comes to licence and insurance issues, there is supposed to be a certain level of reciprocity, no?
 
sesamestreet said:
I forgot to pay a ticket once, license was suspended for a week and a half.

Got a letter in the mail saying my license was suspended as of 3 or 4 days prior. So for those days 3 or 4 days I was pretty much driving on a suspended license. Then when you pay your fines and fees it takes a few days. Takes even longer if you do it online, which I did thinking it would be the fastest way.

Never again.
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Notifications regarding suspended licences are sent via registered mail.
The MOT must have proof of service (someone signed for the letter) before you can be convicted of Drive Under Suspension.
So if the Ministry suspended your licence on the 15th of the month, but you did not receive the letter until the 20th of the month,
you can't be charged for driving on the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, or 19th of that month.
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