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Difference between revisions of "Traffic Tickets"
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==2. Violation Ticket for less serious offences== | ==2. Violation Ticket for less serious offences== | ||
The police will give you a Violation Ticket (an ordinary traffic ticket) for less serious offences. It is used for many provincial offences, including overtime parking, driving without insurance, and several offences under the ''Motor Vehicle Act''. Read the ticket carefully, because it should show the offence you are charged with. The ticket will normally show a penalty beside each offence. | The police will give you a [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/pay-dispute-ticket/prov-violation-tickets Violation Ticket] (an ordinary traffic ticket) for less serious offences. It is used for many provincial offences, including overtime parking, driving without insurance, and several offences under the ''Motor Vehicle Act''. Read the ticket carefully, because it should show the offence you are charged with. The ticket will normally show a penalty beside each offence. | ||
===If you don’t want to fight the ticket=== | ===If you don’t want to fight the ticket=== | ||
If you don't want to fight the Violation Ticket, you can pay the fine as described below. If you pay | If you don't want to fight the Violation Ticket, you can [http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Paying-and-disputing-tickets.aspx pay the fine] as described below. If you pay it, you don't have to go to court, but you are convicted of the offence. [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/pay-dispute-ticket/prov-violation-tickets/pay-ticket Most tickets over $58 are reduced by $25 if you pay them within 30 days]. | ||
If you don’t fight the ticket within 30 days, you will be automatically convicted. You may receive penalty points against your driver’s licence and not be allowed to drive for a certain time. You won’t be able to renew your car insurance or your driver's license until you pay the fine. | If you don’t fight the ticket within 30 days, you will be automatically convicted. You may receive penalty points against your driver’s licence and not be allowed to drive for a certain time. You won’t be able to renew your car insurance or your driver's license until you pay the fine. | ||
===If you want to fight the ticket=== | ===[http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/dispute.aspx If you want to fight the ticket]=== | ||
If you want to fight the Violation Ticket, tell the government office shown on the ticket in person or by mail, before the due date on the ticket. Say that you want to have a trial. You will be notified by mail of the trial date and location, and can fight the ticket at trial(there is no first court appearance). Well before the trial, send the police a written request for their report on your case. The police (not a crown counsel) prosecute these cases. | If you want to [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/pay-dispute-ticket/prov-violation-tickets/dispute-ticket fight the Violation Ticket], tell the government office shown on the ticket in person or by mail, before the due date on the ticket. Say that you want to have a trial. You will be notified by mail of the trial date and location, and can fight the ticket at trial(there is no first court appearance). Well before the trial, send the police a written request for their report on your case. The police (not a crown counsel) prosecute these cases. | ||
===Trial=== | ===Trial=== | ||
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===Penalties=== | ===Penalties=== | ||
If the judge finds you guilty, the judge will normally fine you the same amount that is shown on the ticket. In some cases, the judge may increase the | If the judge finds you guilty, the judge will normally fine you the same amount that is shown on the ticket. In some cases, the judge may increase the fine—for example, if you have a poor driving record. If you can show real financial hardship, the judge may reduce the fine unless the ''Motor Vehicle Act'' sets a minimum fine for that offence. You might also receive penalty points against your driver’s licence. If you are guilty, penalty points are automatic—you can’t fight them in court. You may also not be allowed to drive for a certain time. | ||
===Fines=== | ===Fines=== | ||
There are [http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/tickets/Pages/Paying-and-disputing-tickets.aspx many ways to pay fines]: by '''phone''', '''in person''' at banks, other financial institutions, most Autoplan brokers, driver licensing offices, ICBC claim centers, government agent offices, and courts. You can pay by cash, certified check, money order, and credit or debit card. You can also pay '''online''' at many bank and financial institution websites. Or you can '''mail''' payment (by certified check or money order, but not cash), as follows: | |||
'''For red-light camera ticket payments:'''<br/> | '''For red-light camera ticket payments:'''<br/> | ||
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If you don’t pay a fine, the government can use a collection agency. This could hurt your credit rating. Money to pay the fine can be taken out of your paycheck or bank account. Also, you won’t be able to renew your driver's licence and car insurance until you pay the fine. | If you don’t pay a fine, the government can use a collection agency. This could hurt your credit rating. Money to pay the fine can be taken out of your paycheck or bank account. Also, you won’t be able to renew your driver's licence and car insurance until you pay the fine. | ||
===If you want to fight just the amount of the fine, or ask for time to pay=== | ===If you want to [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/pay-dispute-ticket/prov-violation-tickets/dispute-ticket fight just the amount of the fine, or ask for time to pay]=== | ||
You can do this without going to court. Fill out the following two forms available at any court registry: | You can do this without going to court. Fill out the following two forms available at any court registry: | ||
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[updated May | [updated May 2018] | ||
