Description

Further to your report on speeding tickets, I would like to relate my experience when I took an unwarranted speeding ticket to the next step, by fighting it in court, since complaining to the officer fell on deaf ears.

Trip #1. In order to set a court date it was necessary to take a trip downtown to the court office on Edward St. Costs include gas, parking, and the annoyance of driving downtown from Oakville during the day.

Trip #2. After I received my court date in the mail I had to make another trip downtown, plus gas and parking, to the Old City Hall in order to apply for disclosure of the evidence. I gave them a list of what I wanted and left it with the clerk.

Trip #3. I was informed by telephone that my disclosure was ready and to come and pick it up. Another trip downtown, plus gas and parking, to Old City Hall to pick up the copies of disclosure. Out of a list of items I requested I received one, the officers notes.

Trip #4. Another trip downtown, plus gas and parking, to attend my trial which ended with the crown offering me a deal before I even stepped inside the courtroom. All ended well but at what cost to me.

The only reason I decided to fight this was because I am retired but what if I still worked. Total cost of 4 trips downtown, 4 days of parking costs, 4 days of gas for the car and for anyone else, 4 days or even part days off work. Defending oneself could easily cost $500.00. In addition to these costs we are creating further congestion downtown and adding to the pollution. What if the person was from Ajax or even further.

Did I deserve this ticket in the first place, I do not believe so, yet in order to right a wrong I had to spend this money, mainly for the fear of paying the price in increased insurance premiums but also for the principle. Justice is available to anybody but at what cost....what price do you place on principle.

In this age of computers why was all this necessary? Why do I have to be inconvienced so much in order to defend myself against an injustice when I could easily do the preliminary work from a computer. Why, when the ticket was issued in Etobicoke, did I have to attend court in the middle of downtown Toronto. Any person working would probably weigh the cost of the ticket, versus the cost to defend yourself, and not bother. How many other drivers are put in this position and pay the fine just to avoid the aggravation. How much money does the city rake in from unwarranted tickets?

If something is in dire need of fixing it is our court system and the ability of John Q. Public to defend himself.

Regards,

Larry Snow