Should You Call a Lawyer Now or Later for a Traffic Ticket?

When people get a traffic ticket in BC, they usually look at the ticket hoping to spot a technicality. They read the ticket and learn that they have 30 days to file it in dispute if they wish to challenge it. They may then start researching on the Internet, discovering lawyers who defend tickets, like us, and begin to wonder whether they should call a lawyer right away or wait until the trial date is set. Concerns such as legal fees, anxiety about speaking to a lawyer, or the belief that it might just go away are common but often based on misunderstandings.

The good news is, contacting a lawyer is easy. You can call our office or send an email, and we usually respond quickly. There’s no cost for an initial consultation to discuss the process and consequences of your traffic ticket. While technical defences are possible, there are also defences based on the process, and defences that may arise during trial or that the lawyer can identify early on.

There’s really no downside to contacting a lawyer right away, but there are definite advantages. Firstly, legal fees are typically the same whether you contact a lawyer now or later, and fees for defending traffic tickets are generally quite reasonable. More importantly, a lawyer can take steps early on that may significantly affect the outcome of the case. When a lawyer files your ticket in dispute, it ensures the correct paperwork is filed and prevents issues like missed deadlines or lost mail. Additionally, lawyers have systems in place to handle correspondence from the government and may have strategies for trial scheduling that can influence the outcome.

At our firm we know many of the traffic officers and are familiar with their strengths and weaknesses in court. Some are pragmatic, while others are more dogmatic. Knowing this helps us plan our trial strategy accordingly. Scheduling trials, while not gaming the system, can also be crucial, and lawyers can often speak to the timing of the hearing in a way that benefits the client. Additionally, a lawyer will gather evidence or choose not to based on these factors, which may play a decisive role in your case.

One of the biggest problems we see is procrastination. People may put off filing their dispute, not realizing that they only have 30 days to file. If they miss that deadline, they get a deemed conviction, which can create a host of new problems. If you wait to hire a lawyer, the trial date may be set without any input from the lawyer, leading to issues like a strategically poor trial date.

Lastly, when a lawyer has more time to work on a case, they can think through strategies, discuss the file with colleagues, and better plan how to approach the trial. Lawyers often spend time outside of work thinking about cases, seeking solutions. The earlier you contact a lawyer, the more time they have to consider every possible defence. And, as mentioned, the fee will typically be the same regardless.

If you’ve received a traffic ticket, call us as soon as possible. Even if you’ve waited, contact us now. While we prefer to be involved from the start, we can still offer a strong defence. The sooner, the better—call us today. The BC Driving Lawyers defend traffic tickets everywhere in British Columbia. Reach us at 604-608-1200.