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My name is Jonathan Cohen, a partner at Nextlaw. We are at the forefront of defending against stunt driving charges in Ontario. I'm here to discuss upcoming changes to Ontario's highway speed limits and their significant implications for stunt driving laws. New Speed Limits on Ontario Highways The Ontario government is setting new precedents on our provincial highways by raising the permanent speed limit from 100 km/h to 110 km/h on several key sections, both in northern and southern Ontario. This decision follows the success of similar adjustments made in 2022 and is in step with speed limits across Canada. Sections of Highways Affected Starting July 12, 2024, the speed limit will increase to 110 km/h on various sections, with all changes expected to be in place by the end of the year. Highways affected include stretches of Hwy 401, Hwy 403, Hwy 406, Hwy 416, and Hwy 69. These modifications extend zones with increased limits and introduce new areas to a faster pace of trav...
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Understanding Ontario’s MOMS Act: Legislative Intent, Stunt Driving, and How We Argue for Fairness Stunt driving law in Ontario has changed dramatically since the introduction of the Moving Ontarians More Safely (MOMS) Act. The stakes are now higher than ever: a conviction under section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act usually means a mandatory one‑year licence suspension, with life‑altering consequences for many drivers. At NextLaw, legal representative Jon Cohen focuses exclusively on stunt driving cases across Ontario and approaches these matters by going beyond the surface level of the charge, and into the logic, purpose, and spirit behind the MOMS Act itself. This deeper understanding of the law is not just academic. It directly shapes how submissions are made to prosecutors, how proportionality arguments are framed, and how first‑time offenders are distinguished from the “worst offenders” the legislature was targeting. What the MOMS Act Actually Changed for Stunt Driving ...
As Jonathan Cohen from Nextlaw, your trusted Ontario Stunt Driving law firm, I often talk to potential clients who are considering handling their stunt driving charge on their own. Some feel prepared after our conversations, armed with information from various online resources, or they may be tempted to save money by not hiring a lawyer immediately. Indeed, self-representation is a legal right, but it's crucial to understand the risks involved with limited knowledge or in an attempt to save money on legal fees. The Risks of DIY Legal Defense Imagine you decide to build a deck for your house. You could watch countless YouTube tutorials, buy your materials, and do it yourself to save on labor costs. However, do you have the necessary experience to ensure it is built safely and to code? What if it collapses? Similarly, handling a stunt driving case by yourself might seem straightforward, but legal proceedings are complex and require specialized knowledge. Comparing Costs and Risks ...
This is a 5-year US Entry Waiver that we successfully secured for one of our clients on their very first attempt.  - Five years is the maximum time you can get for a US Entry Waiver; this is a big win for our client. - What's the secret behind this successful outcome? - In this blog I'm going to cover our law firm's strategy - so insider tips – that will significantly enhance your chances of getting your waiver approved and hopefully get the longest time period possible.  Understanding the US Entry Waiver Process To understand our law firm strategy to maximise your chances of success it's important to understand what aspects of the US Entry Waiver process that are in your control and those that are not. - A key factor that you can't control is the criteria used by ARO, which is the Admissibility Review Office, when assessing your waiver application. - Understanding this criteria and how the ARO interprets them is critical to crafting a waiver appl...
Introduction to Stunt Driving Laws Stunt driving is a significant traffic offense in Ontario, and it's essential to understand what it entails. If you're caught driving 50 km/h over the speed limit, you're not just speeding; you're stunt driving according to provincial law. This charge carries severe penalties that can impact your driving privileges and much more. A Real Case of Stunt Driving: The Impact on a Family Recently, a mother faced a nightmare scenario when she was stopped for driving significantly over the speed limit on a quiet road in Northern Ontario. As a partner at Nextlaw, I handled her case. She was not only shocked by the stunt driving charge but also by the fact that the officer handcuffed her in front of her children, leading to a very stressful situation for the whole family. What Does Stunt Driving Entail in Ontario? In Ontario, stunt driving includes driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit. When charged, the driver faces immediate c...
The Dangerous Myth: Why Delaying Your Stunt Driving Case Won't Make It Disappear When Jonathan Cohen of Nextlaw consults with clients facing stunt driving charges, he consistently encounters one of the most dangerous misconceptions in traffic defence: "I'll just keep delaying my case until it gets dismissed" or "my friend delayed their speeding ticket and it eventually disappeared." As Ontario's leading stunt driving lawyer, Jon Cohen has analyzed hundreds of cases where defendants employed delay tactics expecting favorable outcomes—only to face dramatically worse consequences. This comprehensive analysis examines why stunt driving cases function fundamentally differently from simple traffic tickets, how the Jordan ruling actually applies to provincial offences, and why intentional delay strategies typically backfire catastrophically. Understanding the Fundamental Difference: Part 1 vs Part 3 Provincial Offences According to Jon Cohen's analysi...
Welcome to our deep dive into understanding stunt driving charges in Ontario, brought to you by myself, Jonathan Cohen,  partner at Ontario's premier Stunt Driving law firm, Nextlaw. With years of experience and countless stories, I'm offering a unique perspective to help demystify stunt driving charges and their implications. Today, we'll explore a real-life example that illuminates the gravity of these offenses, aiming to enhance your comprehension of the legal landscape surrounding stunt driving. Understanding Stunt Driving Through a Real-Life Example Imagine driving at a speed of 92 km/h in a zone designated for 50 km/h. To many, this might seem like a simple case of speeding. However, Ontario law paints a different picture, classifying such behavior as stunt driving, especially in areas labeled under the "residential" category for speed limits below 80 km/h. This classification hinges on legal definitions rather than the physical characteristics of the lo...