Nextlaw - Ontario's Stunt Driving, DUI & U.S. Waiver Law Firm

Often, individuals charged with Stunt Driving in Ontario are left confused at the roadside, because the officer did not show them the radar. The officer gave them a summons for Stunt, towed their car, and issued a 30-day license suspension, but never showed them the speed that caused the charge in the first place.  This is very confusing.  Let's investigate. I didn't see the radar.  I don't believe I was going that fast. In order to clean up our roads from public safety threats, the lawmakers gave police in Ontario the power to issue a Stunt Driving charge immediately at the roadside.  This means that they get to unilaterally decide to possibly arrest you, issue a summons, two your car and give a 30-day license suspension.  And there is nothing you can do about it (at this point).  Whether or not you believe the charge is accurate is not particularly relevant at this point.  You will get these roadside penalties, and you can defend the charges at a later date, in court....

Application for Pardon Canada - Fast Approval (2023) - Application for a Pardon in Canada - How do you get fast approval? - Every client we speak to wants to get their Pardon fast. - And we get it.  The faster you can get your Pardon, which is now called a Record Suspension, the faster you can move on with your life. - To get your Pardon fast, you need to work around these 2 realities. - First, you cannot apply before you are eligible. - And second, there are no ways to “cut the line” to speed up your approval process. - However, knowing these 2 realities, to get your Pardon fast, you need to get these 3 things right. 1/ Get the Measurable Benefit/Sustained Rehabilitation Form right - The hardest part of the Record Suspension Application is getting the Measurable Benefit/Sustained Rehabilitation Form right. - People have problems with this Form because the answers are not straightforward. - You need to answer the questions in a way that will convince the...

As someone who has dedicated my career to traffic defence, I can tell you that hiring the right representation for stunt driving is crucial—but the legal landscape is crowded with options of varying quality. Your chances of finding effective defence depend on knowing what to look for and understanding why experience in both criminal and provincial offences matters. Let me guide you through what separates effective stunt driving defence from the rest. The Specialized Nature of Stunt Driving Defence Stunt driving exists in a unique legal space. While it's prosecuted in Provincial Offences Court, the severity of penalties—including potential jail time—requires defence strategies typically reserved for criminal matters. According to the Law Society of Ontario, lawyers can practice in multiple areas, but true expertise requires focused experience. Key factors that indicate specialized stunt driving defence: - Volume of stunt driving cases handled annually - Published success r...

DUI - How much trouble are you in? - How much trouble are you in when you get charged with a DUI? - That’s what I am going to cover in this article. - Any DUI charge is a serious criminal charge. - However, there are levels of seriousness associated with DUI charges. - Specifically, if the crown decides that your DUI will proceed as an indictable offence and not a summary offence, that is a much more serious categorization of your DUI charge. - Let me explain what this means in plain English. 1/ Summary vs Indictable Offence - First, some important context. - In the Criminal Code of Canada, criminal charges are defined as indictable or summary offences. - In the United States, there is a similar categorization of felonies and misdemeanours. - Indictable offences are more serious than summary offences. - The crimes and penalties associated with indictable offences are more serious than summary offences. - And the legal process you go through is also...

After your charge for Stunt Driving in Ontario, you noticed that there is an "administrative suspension" on your driving record. This reflects the 30-day suspension you received at the roadside when you were charged by the Officer. You want to remove this from your record. Is this possible? Let's investigate. How does that "30-day" suspension affect my driving record and insurance? Although it looks bad, the 30-day administrative suspension should not affect your insurance. You cannot remove it from your record, because your driving record keeps a history of all charges. However, the roadside suspension is called an "administrative suspension" due to stunt/racing, but has no value to an insurance company until it is attached to an actual conviction of Stunt Driving. The easiest way to understand this is the following - although the suspension is on your record, it would still be there if the charges were withdrawn at a later date in court. So even ...

As someone who has defended thousands of stunt driving cases across Ontario, I'll give you a direct answer: your chances of successfully fighting stunt driving on your own are extremely limited. This isn't about selling legal services—it's about understanding the reality of Ontario's court system and the severe consequences you're facing. Let me explain why self-representation in stunt driving cases is particularly risky. The Legal Framework You're Facing Under Section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, stunt driving carries mandatory penalties that judges cannot reduce: - Minimum 1-year license suspension (up to 3 years) - Minimum $2,000 fine (up to $10,000) - Possible jail time (up to 6 months) - 6 demerit points - Immediate 30-day roadside suspension - 14-day vehicle impoundment These are not negotiable upon conviction. The only way to avoid them is to avoid conviction entirely. Self-Representation Statistics in Ontario Courts Accord...

Can I apply for a pardon myself? There are 3 things you need to know about the question, “Can I apply for a Pardon myself?” 1/ The answer is yes - The quick answer to the question, “Can I apply for a pardon myself”? Is, yes. - You can apply for a pardon in Canada, which is now called record suspension, without any outside help. - You do not need to hire any law firm or pardon agency to help you with your pardon or record suspension application. 2/ Beware of fraud - Getting a Pardon is life-changing. - And because a lot of people need help with their pardon or record suspension application, this has led to the rise of fraudulent services. - These pardon service companies are hard to identify because they intentionally design their websites and the name of their companies to look like they are part of the Canadian government. - They want you to believe they are an extension of the Parole Board of Canada to get your business. - And this can lead to terrible consequen...

DUI First Offence - Does good character matter? - If you’re charged with a DUI but have never been in trouble with the law, does that matter in your DUI case? - Many people charged with a DUI have never been in trouble with the law.   - Most have clean criminal records and clean driving abstracts. - Most are not alcoholics. - In other words, these are people with a good character. - We see many situations where someone had a few drinks and genuinely thought they were okay to drive, but legally they were not.   - Their blood alcohol reading was over 80, and they were charged with Over 80 or Impaired Driving. - How will their good character play into the prosecution of their DUI case? - And the answer is, it depends on the facts. - When the Crown, who is the lawyer representing the Canadian government, reviews your case, they consider two tests. - First, is there enough evidence to secure a conviction? - And second, is it in the interest of justice to ...

As someone who has defended thousands of stunt driving cases, I'm often asked about demerit points. Let me address the biggest misconception upfront: demerit points are the absolute least of your concerns with a stunt driving charge. Why? Because if you're convicted of stunt driving, you'll lose your license for a minimum of one year. During that suspension, demerit points become completely irrelevant. By the time you get your license back, you're already halfway to the points expiring. The Demerit Point System: What It Actually Is According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, demerit points are simply an administrative tracking system: - Stunt driving conviction = 6 demerit points - Points remain on record for 2 years from the offence date - Courts have zero jurisdiction over demerit points - ServiceOntario automatically assigns points after conviction *Source: Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Driver's Handbook The Timeline That Makes Points...

Tips for Completing your Record Suspension Application - What are the important tips that you need to follow to successfully complete your Record Suspension Application in Canada? - That’s what I’m going to cover in this article. - Every year, the Parole Board returns or rejects a huge number of Record Suspensions in Canada because of mistakes and missing or incomplete information. - Mistakes will cost you time and, in some cases, rejection. - Ultimately, your life will be on hold. - The good news is that this problem is avoidable. - Now, the key to getting your Pardon is to submit a properly prepared Record Suspension Application. - By far the hardest part of the Record Suspension Application in Canada is to properly answer the Measurable Benefit / Sustained Rehabilitation Form. - There are 3 questions in this Form.   - And you need to answer those questions in a way that will get your Record Suspension approved by the Parole Board of Canada. - Here ar...

What Are the Chances of Avoiding $2,000 or More in Fines for Stunt Driving? As someone who has defended thousands of stunt driving cases across Ontario, I need to put this question in perspective: if you're convicted of stunt driving, the minimum fine is $2,000 under Section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act. However, fines are arguably the least damaging consequence you'll face. Let me be clear: courts can arrange payment plans over months or even years for fines. But you can't arrange a payment plan for your ability to drive. The mandatory one-year license suspension is what destroys lives—not the fine you can pay over time. The Legal Reality of Stunt Driving Fines Section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act mandates: - Minimum fine: $2,000 (no exceptions) - Maximum fine: $10,000 - First offence: Typically $2,000-$3,000 - Repeat offences: Often $5,000-$10,000 These fines are mandatory upon conviction. The only way to avoid them is to avoid conviction entirely....