Traffic tickets are not considered criminal offences. If a matter were criminal, it would fall under the Canadian Criminal Code, and reporting to the court would be mandatory. Traffic offences, governed by the Highway Traffic Act, typically affect your driver’s license and insurance rate. These offences are not criminal and rarely result in incarceration.
Many clients confuse traffic penalties with criminal charges, especially when faced with severe penalties like high fines or license suspensions. It’s essential to know the difference to avoid unnecessary worries.
Clarification on Traffic Tickets
Traffic Tickets vs. Criminal Offences
Traffic tickets are not the same as criminal offences. Getting a ticket does not mean you are charged criminally. If it were a criminal offence, it would be outlined in the Canadian Criminal Code, requiring you to report to court. Tickets mostly affect your driving record or insurance rates, and usually don’t lead to jail time.
Although penalties under highway traffic legislation might seem severe, they are not criminal. Fines, license suspensions, and occasionally, the risk of jail can cause confusion.
Jurisdiction and Legislation
Traffic ticket laws are usually found in the Highway Traffic Act or similar legislation, not in the Criminal Code. They cover non-criminal matters like speeding or stunt driving.
Each province has its own rules. The laws apply based on where the incident occurred. You must be mindful of different jurisdictions when dealing with any traffic tickets. If you have questions, reach out for assistance.
Consequences of Traffic Violations
Impact on Driving Privileges
Traffic violations can impact your driving privileges. Some of these penalties may include license suspensions or restrictions. This means you might lose your ability to drive legally for a period. It’s crucial to address tickets promptly to avoid these outcomes. Remember, traffic tickets are not criminal, but ignoring them can still lead to severe consequences for your driving record.
Influence on Insurance Rates
Violations can also affect your insurance rates. Higher premiums or difficulty in obtaining insurance can result after a traffic ticket. Insurance companies review your driving record, and frequent violations can signal risk, leading to increased costs. Keeping your record clean is essential to maintaining affordable insurance options.
Taking Action
If you’re unsure whether your ticket involves something more serious, it’s a good idea to consult with professionals like us at OTD Legal. We will assess your situation promptly and provide specific guidance. Our goal is to ensure you understand the nature of your ticket and explore the options available for your defence.
Helping Clients
We have a track record of assisting individuals with traffic tickets, ensuring they comprehend their legal standing fully. If there’s anything you need to address, we’ll inform you right away and guide you on the necessary steps to take. Supporting our clients through their legal concerns is part of what makes our services highly effective.
Video Transcription:
A concerning question that many clients have asked: which traffic tickets are criminal offenses? The answer is none. Traffic tickets are not considered criminal. If this were a criminal matter, or if you were charged with something criminally, it would be found under the Canadian Criminal Code. And in those circumstances, you would automatically be required to report to the court.
And you would know that. Many good people, many great clients have been concerned with this particular fact and knowing the difference. It is an important difference because for many of these offenses, it really only affects your ability to drive or perhaps your insurance rate. Most of these offenses under the Highway Traffic Act, or the non criminal sphere of things, can only affect your driver’s license, or your ability to drive.
It’s a very limited number that is going to put you in a position where you might be exposed to a term of incarceration or jail. When people hear about that, or when highway traffic legislation has Stronger penalties like higher fines, license suspensions, or potential for a period of incarceration.
Clients get confused and automatically feel that this might be a criminal matter, and that is not true. I would suggest, if you’re not sure, we are. So, reach out to us, we will let you know if there’s something that you need to be concerned with here, and we will let you know immediately what you need to do about that.
And in most of these cases, there is something that we can do to help you.
