What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

[angeloaa]

This summer I decided to detail my car on my vacation, I was heading up north to the Wasaga Beach area. Boy was I ever excited to get this started.
To make a long story short I headed out on the 23rd of Aug. I stopped by Canadian Tire and bought whatever I needed.
I began the job on the 24th, first thing I did was remove my license plates, wash, dry, etc. at around 4:50pm that day I was running out of Quik detailer, I jumped in my car and headed out to buy some more without my license plates on the car. The trip from my cottage to The Canadian Tire (Wasaga Beach area) is approximately a 12 minute drive. I arrived at Canadian Tire at about 5:05pm and checked out at 5:12pm, got into my car and started to drive back to the cottage. I'm sure you guys know what's going to happen next.
At 5:20pm, when I'm 4 minutes or less away from my cottage guess who pulls me over, OPP officer. At first I was confused, I wasn't speeding, I was wearing my seatbelt, then it dawned on me, I don't have my plates on the car, ****.
I explained to him what was going on, showed him the receipt from the Canadian Tire but he still gave me a $110 ticket, (I was hoping that he would let me off, my driving record is clean) I would've rather he said "walk home, get your plates, walk back, put them on, and get out of here"
I'm going to take it to court, what would you guys have done?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

Never, ever pay a ticket in-full via mail. Just showing up and pleading guilty will get you a reduced fine.

I say go and plead your case (guilty with an explanation). You were legally guilty, no doubt, but you have a reasonable excuse. Judge will likely knock it down 40%~

[Chris Thompson]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

I agree, ask for a reduced fine and also ask for the judge to remove it from your record.

[Nick Jacobs]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

[QUOTE=Mark Kleis;439328]Never, ever pay a ticket in-full via mail. Just showing up and pleading guilty will get you a reduced fine.

How can you advise "Just showing up and pleading guilty you will get a reduced fine"? You are in California and he is in Canada. Did Toronto adopt the same judicial process and legislation as your county in CA?

[Nick Jacobs]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

You need to weigh the option and research the law some. Some states say if you have no proof of insurance its automatic impound of vehicle and appear in court. Also if you have expired tags or no tags that vehicle is not allowed to be on the roads, PERIOD! The officer who pulled you over could have impounded your vehicle which could have incurred more expenses for you, instead he gave you a break and gave you a ticket. The magistrate could ream you a new one for trying to fight a ticket that you were already given a break on. $110 ticked I would pay it and be done with it. Its not a infraction where it should make a negative impact on your driving record.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

Nick makes a very good point!

[bmrfan]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

Have to agree with Nick - research your options in Ontario before taking it to court.

When I lived in British Columbia, the courts were much less lenient on violations then in California (we're spoiled in California with our "fix-it" tickets & traffic school).

[Markus Kleis]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

[QUOTE=Nick Jacobs;439331]

Never, ever pay a ticket in-full via mail. Just showing up and pleading guilty will get you a reduced fine.

How can you advise "Just showing up and pleading guilty you will get a reduced fine"? You are in California and he is in Canada. Did Toronto adopt the same judicial process and legislation as your county in CA?

I didn't see that he was in Canada (read the Canadian Tire, but didn't put two and two together), but I also don't see the need for you to address me or anyone else on MOL with that type of sarcasm.

This is a friendly forum where people try and help others, not attack them.

1. No personal attacks toward members or non-members will be tolerated.

2. No arguing with Moderators or Administrators.

3. You are welcome to disagree but you must be polite.

4. No bashing any company or their products. No bashing other people. If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything at all.

Try and tone it down a bit, ok?

[angeloaa]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

The cop had told me that he could've had my car towed, my plates weren't expired, my ownership had my VIN number and license plate number on it, my insurance had my VIN as well. If I lived in the Wasaga beach area I would've probably gotten off, it's true what they say "your more likely to get a ticket towards the end of the month, then the beginning" I think these policemen have to reach a quota for tickets given on a monthly basis.

[Nick Jacobs]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

[QUOTE=Mark Kleis;439353]

I didn't see that he was in Canada (read the Canadian Tire, but didn't put two and two together), but I also don't see the need for you to address me or anyone else on MOL with that type of sarcasm.

This is a friendly forum where people try and help others, not attack them.

1. No personal attacks toward members or non-members will be tolerated.

2. No arguing with Moderators or Administrators.

3. You are welcome to disagree but you must be polite.

4. No bashing any company or their products. No bashing other people. If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything at all.

Try and tone it down a bit, ok?

As I hate to do this on a public forum, I will print this thread in case forwarding it to the California Attorney Generals office is necessary...

1) Where was the attack? For all I know is could have been an attorney and giving out legal advise, but I did not see your name listed on The State Bar of California.

2) Where was the argument? Again, I asked a question based upon your law experience.

3) In what way was my response considered 'rude'.

4) I did not bash any company or product. I did not bash you as well. I simply asked a question on the legal advise you have provided.

Please do not use the title 'moderator' as a power trip since I was simply asking a question when you represented yourself as an attorney.

In case you decide to ban me, I will be in contact via phone with Michael Stoops and Mike Pennington regarding this thread to bring to there attention the legal advise being given on their forum.

Be assured, this is NOT a personal attack against you or anyone. It's just a heads up that giving legal advice on a public forum where you could open yourself up for liability.


Thanks,
Nick

[Nick Jacobs]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

The cop had told me that he could've had my car towed, my plates weren't expired, my ownership had my VIN number and license plate number on it, my insurance had my VIN as well. If I lived in the Wasaga beach area I would've probably gotten off, it's true what they say "your more likely to get a ticket towards the end of the month, then the beginning" I think these policemen have to reach a quota for tickets given on a monthly basis.

There is no quota they have to reach. They are to enforce the laws. However, he gave you a 'break' by not towing your car. He did save you money on a tow fee, storage fees, etc. But plates are to be required on the vehicle, he can run everything through LEIN, which will show plates are valid and that the vehicle has not been stolen and you are not wanted for outstanding warrants.

You need to do what YOU think is right... Pay or fight it. There are a couple of options that can happen if you fight it, or you could pay it and be done with it...

BTW, I am finished with this thread!

[angeloaa]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

[QUOTE=Nick Jacobs;439371]

As I hate to do this on a public forum, I will print this thread in case forwarding it to the California Attorney Generals office is necessary...

1) Where was the attack? For all I know is could have been an attorney and giving out legal advise, but I did not see your name listed on The State Bar of California.

2) Where was the argument? Again, I asked a question based upon your law experience.

3) In what way was my response considered 'rude'.

4) I did not bash any company or product. I did not bash you as well. I simply asked a question on the legal advise you have provided.

Please do not use the title 'moderator' as a power trip since I was simply asking a question when you represented yourself as an attorney.

In case you decide to ban me, I will be in contact via phone with Michael Stoops and Mike Pennington regarding this thread to bring to there attention the legal advise being given on their forum.

Be assured, this is NOT a personal attack against you or anyone. It's just a heads up that giving legal advice on a public forum where you could open yourself up for liability.


Thanks,
Nick

I started this thread to see what other members would do, whatever I decide has nothing to do with Mark Kleis nor Meguiars online.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

Lock it up! Too much testosterone flying around.....but good points made from both sides.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: What would you do? Pay the ticket or take it to court?

Let's just let this one slide, OK guys?

We are very reluctant to have this forum used in any way that pertains to legal advice, even for something as minor as a traffic offense.

We are even less inclined to let a thread continue when a discussion separate from the intent of the initial post starts to go south. No one is getting banned here, and there won't be any need to forward this thread to the California Attorney General's office (really? seriously?).

Lock it up! Too much testosterone flying around.....but good points made from both sides.

Yep, and that's what we're doing with this one. Sorry guys.