Ontario Traffic Ticket Defence
Carli Geist provides professional paralegal representation for a full range of Highway Traffic Act and Provincial Offences charges. Don't let a traffic conviction define your driving record.
Charges We Defend
Every case is different. Click any service for full details on the charge, penalties, and your defence options.
Stunt Driving
Stunt driving under section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act is one of the most serious traffic offences in Ontario. A conviction can mean a minimum 30-day licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, demerit points, sky-high insurance premiums, and substantial fines. Carli Geist reviews every stunt driving case for technical defences — from radar calibration to the officer's observations — and fights to protect your licence and your record.
Potential Consequences
- 30-day immediate roadside licence suspension
- Vehicle impounded for 14 days
- Fines up to $10,000
- 6 demerit points on conviction
- Possible one-year licence suspension on conviction
Careless Driving
Careless driving under section 130 HTA is a broad offence covering situations where a driver fails to give "reasonable attention" to traffic. It is often used in accident situations and carries up to 6 demerit points, fines up to $2,000, and a possible licence suspension of up to two years. Prosecutors charge it when they believe the facts support it — but the standard is not always met. Carli Geist examines the evidence carefully and challenges careless driving charges where the Crown cannot prove the standard was breached.
Potential Consequences
- Up to 6 demerit points
- Fines from $400 to $2,000
- Possible licence suspension up to 2 years
- Significant insurance rate increases
Hand-Held Devices
Ontario's distracted driving law under section 78.1 HTA prohibits using a hand-held wireless communication device while driving. A conviction carries 3 demerit points and fines of $615 to $3,000 depending on prior convictions. Novice drivers face immediate licence suspension. There are defences available — including whether the device was "in use" at the time of the stop, and whether the stop itself was lawful. Carli Geist reviews the officer's observations and the circumstances of every distracted driving charge.
Potential Consequences
- 3 demerit points
- First offence: $615–$1,000 fine
- Second offence: $1,000–$2,000 fine
- Third+ offence: $2,000–$3,000 fine
- Novice drivers: immediate licence suspension
Drive Suspended
Driving while suspended under section 53 HTA is treated very seriously by Ontario courts. A first conviction carries mandatory fines of $1,000 to $5,000 and a further 6-month suspension. Second and subsequent convictions add mandatory jail time. If your suspension arose from unpaid fines or an administrative oversight, there may be strong grounds to challenge the charge or minimize the outcome. Carli Geist analyses the background of the suspension and the circumstances of the stop to build the best possible defence.
Potential Consequences
- First offence: $1,000–$5,000 fine
- Additional 6-month licence suspension
- Second offence: mandatory jail time
- Vehicle may be impounded
No Insurance
Section 2(1) of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act makes driving without valid insurance one of the most heavily penalized traffic offences in Ontario. Mandatory minimums start at $5,000 for a first offence, rising to over $25,000 for subsequent offences — plus licence suspension and vehicle impoundment. There are defences: the accused must knowingly be without insurance, and there may be issues with the evidence. Carli Geist assesses every no-insurance charge and pursues every available avenue to reduce or eliminate the penalty.
Potential Consequences
- First offence: $5,000–$25,000 mandatory minimum fine
- Subsequent offences: $10,000–$50,000 fine
- 1-year licence suspension
- Vehicle impoundment
CVOR
The Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) system tracks safety records for Ontario commercial vehicle operators. Violations — including HOS (hours of service) infractions, equipment defects, and at-fault accidents — accumulate as "counts" that can lead to warnings, performance reviews, and ultimately suspension or cancellation of your CVOR certificate. For truck drivers and fleet operators, your CVOR is your livelihood. Carli Geist understands the CVOR system and works to minimize the impact of charges on your safety record and your ability to keep working.
Potential Consequences
- CVOR count accumulation leading to audit
- Warning letters and performance reviews
- CVOR suspension or cancellation
- Loss of commercial driving privileges
Speeding
Speeding is the most common traffic offence in Ontario — but that doesn't mean you should simply pay the ticket and accept the consequences. Demerit points, fine increases for higher speeds, and insurance rate hikes can follow you for years. For speeds 50 km/h or more over the limit, you're in stunt driving territory. Carli Geist reviews the prosecution's evidence — radar or laser records, officer notes, and disclosure — to identify whether the charge can be reduced, withdrawn, or successfully defended at trial.
Potential Consequences
- 1–6 demerit points depending on speed
- Fines starting at $2.50/km over the limit
- Insurance rate increases
- 50+ km/h over = stunt driving charges
Accident Charges
Being involved in an accident often brings secondary charges — failure to remain (s.200 HTA), careless driving, unsafe turns, improper lane changes, or failing to report. These charges can be layered on top of each other and used to establish civil liability in insurance disputes. Carli Geist represents clients charged as a result of accidents, reviews police reports and disclosure carefully, and challenges whether the evidence actually supports each charge — because paying the ticket is the same as admitting guilt.
Potential Consequences
- Failure to remain: up to $2,000 fine + suspension
- Multiple demerit points per charge
- Used as evidence in civil/insurance claims
- Possible criminal implications for serious accidents
Results That Speak
I was charged with stunt driving on the 403. Carli got the charge reduced to a minor speeding ticket — I kept my licence and my insurance didn't go through the roof. She was straight with me the whole way through.
Marcus T.
Hamilton, Ontario · Stunt Driving → Reduced
"Got a distracted driving ticket and panicked about my insurance. Carli reviewed the officer's disclosure and had it withdrawn at first appearance. I didn't even have to go to court."
Diane R.
Burlington · Hand-Held Device → Withdrawn
"Carli was upfront from the start — told me exactly what to expect and delivered. My careless driving charge was reduced to a minor HTA offence. She knows these courts inside out."
Kevin O.
Stoney Creek · Careless Driving → Reduced
Past results are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Every case is different.
Carli handles the full range of Ontario traffic and POA charges.
Even if you don't see your charge above — call. Free consultations, straight answers, no obligation.