Too bad the internet wasn't around when I was a teen. I could have used a tutorial on court proceedings on my first visit (17 years old at the time). My mother was close friends with a local JP (didn't even know what that was at the time, LOL). She overheard my griping about my latest ticket and calmly explained that if I have some issue with the charge I should have it heard by the court. So I went as a total newb! Spoke out inappropriately at times, questioned who this mean guy was making derogatory comments beside me (the Crown, LOL), etc. But as green as I was, I still managed to WIN that first case. Actually, I think the JP took pity on me and found a way to help me win by quoting specifics from the HTA that I should have been reciting myself <chuckle>.

After several later visits, I have become fairly comfortable with the proceedings. I have found that as long as I mind my manners and don't offend the JP, they seem to be "rooting for the little guy", and rule quite fairly. The only case I lost was when an actual judge sat in that day. It's clear he saw me pull in earlier in my jacked-up hot rod because he found me guilty the second he asked me if that was my orange car in the parking lot, LOL. I felt very much offended by that decision. It's one I was certain I would win. 28 years later and I'm still mad!

So now I encourage all my friends, family and co-workers to try it at least once, so they learn the process and know better how to prepare for the next time

Allan E. Scott's "Fight that Ticket in Ontario

Required reading for "Law in everyday life" at Gerogian College in Barrie.

Although we have been off on several tangents I want to draw us back to Radarscam's original question in this thread about electronic tickets. I found the regulation under the POA: ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS, O. Reg. 497/94.

According to section 2(1) A document is properly signed in an electronic format if the document contains a code, name or number of a person that is capable of identifying the person as the originator of the document and the code, name or number.

In other words, no original signature required. It's a beginner's mistake and I should know better: check the regs, not just the Act! So radarscam, allow me to eat humble pie and apologize for originally suggesting you had a fatal error.

If you can tell me what the charge is, perhaps I can redeem myself with suggesting other methods of attacking the ticket.

ticketcombat wrote:

So radarscam, allow me to eat humble pie and apologize for originally suggesting you had a fatal error.

I worked hard on this for you ticketcombat

That's a good looking pie! I didn't know you could bake