Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Speeding Tickets
Can I Request an Alternative Resolution on my Speeding Ticket?
The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service no longer provides alternative resolution on photo enforcement tickets. Since many speeding tickets can be verified via cameras, you generally won’t be able to request an alternative resolution—but that doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) fight your ticket in court.
Why Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?
Fighting a ticket isn’t just about whether you’re found guilty—it can also reduce the number of demerit points that go on your license, or eliminate them completely if you fight the ticket successfully.
Appealing your speeding ticket can also prevent your insurance from going up. Simply paying a speeding ticket is a surefire way to raise your insurance rates (as much as 400% over 3 years)! On the other hand, fighting your ticket in court often leads to reduced penalties, which can also reduce the amount your insurance is affected.
Why Choose We Defend?
We Defend has an excellent track record of helping Alberta drivers fight speeding tickets, along with other traffic tickets and driving charges. We also offer free consultations and 365 day/year service, 24/7, so you can talk to one of our professionals quickly and get the help you need as soon as you need it.
Is Fighting a Speeding Ticket Expensive?
Not compared to doing nothing. As stated above, simply paying a ticket can be the most expensive option, once you factor in how it affects your insurance premiums. Hiring We Defend to appeal a speeding ticket ends up being the most cost-effective option in the long run for many of our clients.
When Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Alberta?
Many people assume there’s no good reason to fight a speeding ticket if they were caught speeding—but that’s actually not true. Fighting a ticket can lower your penalties and stop your insurance premiums from going up, so it’s almost always a good idea to challenge them.
Sometimes, even just showing up to court can result in a win—because the officer who issued the ticket needs to show up as well. Since police officers lead busy lives, get sick, and need to take vacations, there’s a good chance they won’t bother (especially for minor speeding tickets).
Should I Take a Plea Deal?
Most of the time, no. You might get some money knocked off the initial fine, but that’s not the point. Plea deals can still affect your insurance premiums.
When you fight a speeding ticket, the goal should be to reduce or eliminate the penalties you face to prevent your insurance rates from going up. We Defend can act in your best interests and give you the best chance at making this happen.
Frequently Asked Questions about Traffic Tickets
Why Should I Fight a Traffic Ticket?
Fighting a traffic ticket is the best way to prevent it from affecting your insurance premiums. Simply paying the ticket might seem like the easiest option—but even tickets without hefty fines can drive your insurance rates up considerably.
Fighting the ticket gives you (and us) an opportunity to reduce or eliminate your penalties. This can save you money on fines, reduce the number of demerits on your license, and limit the amount your premiums will rise.
Is Fighting a Traffic Ticket Expensive?
Fighting a traffic ticket in court is often cheaper in the long run than simply paying it, since doing so results in your insurance premiums going up. Many of our clients come to We Defend because they realize that appealing their ticket is the most cost-effective option and trust us to do it effectively.
When Should I Fight a Traffic Ticket in Alberta?
You should always appeal a traffic ticket in Alberta unless you’re certain that you’re going to lose, and that the officer who issued your ticket will show up in court. Police officers often have other work to do, and they have lives just like other human beings—so there’s a good chance they won’t make the time for a minor offense. If you show up to court and the officer doesn’t, you win your appeal.
What If I’m Convicted In Absence?
If you didn’t know you needed to contact the courthouse and were convicted in absence, it may not be too late. Fill out the Application to Set Aside a Conviction form on the Alberta Government’s website and a judge will review your case. If you need help preparing this form, contact us—we’ll be able to help.
Why Choose We Defend?
We Defend has an excellent track record of helping Alberta drivers fight a wide variety of traffic tickets and driving charges. We also offer free consultations and 365 day/year with 24/7 service, so you can talk to one of our professionals quickly and get the help you need as soon as you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hit & Run Tickets
What Qualifies As a Hit & Run in Alberta?
A hit and run occurs when a vehicle leaves the scene after striking another vehicle or a pedestrian. But hit and run incidents aren’t reserved for collisions at intersections or highway on-ramps.
In fact, even tapping someone else’s car in the parking lot and driving away without leaving a note is technically still a hit and run if the other party can prove you did it. You might receive fewer demerit points for this kind of hit and run (which is referred to as Failure to Report an Accident), but it can still result in huge insurance premium increases.
Can I Make Voluntary Payments for a Hit & Run?
No. Hit and run charges always come with court dates in Alberta, so you’ll want to make sure you have the best legal support possible. There is no option to simply pay a fine online if you have been charged with a hit and run.
How Does We Defend Handle Hit & Runs?
At We Defend, we understand that being charged with a hit and run is incredibly stressful. You never meant to hurt anyone—but people make mistakes, and sometimes they panic afterwards.
Our experts can successfully make the case that you did not intend to cause harm, or that you had a viable reason for leaving the scene of the accident afterwards. Trust our decades of combined experience and successful track record to deal with your charges.
Is Fighting a Hit & Run Expensive?
The costs of defending yourself against a hit and run charge almost always pale in comparison to the costs of not defending yourself properly. Fines for hit and run range from $400 to $2300, and prison sentences can be up to 6 months long. License suspension is also possible, since it only takes 8 demerit points to lose your license and a hit and run will add 7.
Hiring We Defend to fight your hit and run charge is the best way to reduce or avoid these penalties—potentially saving you huge amounts of time, money, and stress. Don’t let a hit and run ruin your life. Call us now for help.
How Are the Penalties for Hit & Runs Determined?
Hit and run penalties depend on the extent of the damage caused to other persons or property, and whether or not you are a repeat offender. If this is your first time being charged with a hit and run, and no one has been badly injured as the result of your actions, you will likely face much more lenient fines and other penalties.
However, every hit and run has the power to affect your insurance premiums by a significant amount—so even if this is your first offense, fighting your hit and run charge with help from our experienced team is highly recommended.
Why Choose We Defend?
We Defend uses experienced traffic agents with more than 20 years in the industry to demonstrate your good intent and clarify your reasons for leaving the scene. We give you the best chance at reducing or avoiding the penalties for your hit and run charge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Suspended License Tickets
Why Choose We Defend?
We Defend has a successful track record of over 20 years defending drivers charged with driving while suspended. We’ll go over your case thoroughly to look for details that could help you beat the charges or have them reduced. Don’t let the mistake you made cost you more than it has to—let us help.
What If I Get In An Accident While Driving Suspended?
Getting caught behind the wheel with a suspended license is bad enough—but you can face even steeper consequences if you’re involved in an accident. Remember: your insurance only covers you if you’re driving with a valid license. So you’ll likely be responsible for paying any damages you cause to other persons or property while driving without insurance by yourself.
In these situations, it’s even more important to make sure you have qualified experts fighting on your behalf in court. We Defend can help insulate you against the costs and other consequences of accidents that occur while you’re driving without a valid license.
How Can I Get My License Back Once It’s Been Suspended?
When you receive a Notice of Suspension, you’ll also receive conditions for the reinstatement of your license. When you prove that you’ve met these conditions, you will be able to receive a new license.
We Defend can deal with an Alberta registry agent on your behalf to prove that you’ve successfully met the conditions to have your license reinstated.
Is Fighting a Suspended License Ticket Expensive?
Hiring us to fight your suspended license ticket will likely be much cheaper than paying the fines that come with suspended license tickets or the income you’ll lose if you’re convicted and have to spend time in jail. Investing in help from our experts is often the least expensive option in these cases.
Will My Suspension Be Increased for Driving While Suspended?
Yes—if you’re caught driving while suspended, your suspension will likely be increased by another six months. This suspension period will be on top of whatever’s left of your original suspension, meaning you can’t serve both at once.
Losing your license for an extra six months can make many daily tasks such as work and errands extremely difficult. By fighting your suspended license ticket on your behalf, We Defend gives you the best chance of getting your license back sooner.
What Happens to My Vehicle If I’m Caught Driving Suspended?
If you are caught behind the wheel while your license is suspended, your vehicle will be seized and impounded for at least 30 days—regardless of whether you own it or not. The owner of the vehicle will also be responsible for all towing and impound fees.
Frequently Asked Questions about Driving While Uninsured Tickets
Can I Be Charged for Driving Uninsured If It’s Not My Vehicle?
Unfortunately, yes. If you’re driving a vehicle, it’s your responsibility to make sure that it’s insured. However, We Defend may be able to help by making a case that you could not have reasonably known the vehicle you were driving did not have valid insurance. Contact us to discuss your case in more detail and evaluate your options.
Is Driving Without Proof of Insurance Different from Driving Uninsured?
Some officers may give you additional opportunities to prove you have insurance before issuing a ticket if you don’t have your insurance paperwork on you when you’re pulled over—but counting on this is never a good idea.
You are legally required to carry proof of insurance whenever you drive, and not doing so can result in significant fines the same way driving without valid insurance can. In these situations, it’s best to let We Defend step in and fight on your behalf.
Why Choose We Defend?
At We Defend, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping Alberta drivers who have been charged with driving uninsured. As a Calgary-based firm serving the entire province, we understand how insurance in Alberta works and know what details to look for when constructing the best defense for you.
How Are the Fines for Driving Without Insurance Determined?
Fines for driving without insurance are determined by the circumstances under which you were charged and whether or not it’s your first offense. The maximum fine for first-time offenders is $10,000 (although many first-time offenders are charged around $2,875). However, repeat offenders can be charged up to $20,000.
Who Decides Whether My License Will Be Suspended for Driving Uninsured?
Whether or not your license will be suspended for driving without valid insurance is the prerogative of the judge who oversees your court case. This is another reason why it’s vital to have strong representation from the experts at We Defend during your trial—we can argue effectively that your license should not be suspended.
Is Fighting a Driving Uninsured Charge Expensive?
The costs of hiring We Defend to fight a charge of driving uninsured pale in comparison to the financial risks you face by driving without insurance. Remember that the average claim for bodily injuries is more than $15,000—add that to the towing and impound fees, plus the fine for driving without insurance, and you’re looking at a lot of money.
Hiring We Defend gives you the best chance at reducing or avoiding these costs. This makes us by far the most cost-effective option for most drivers charged with driving uninsured.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stunting & Careless Driving Tickets
How Does Stunting or Careless Driving Affect My Insurance Premiums?
Stunting or careless driving substantially increases insurance premiums. The increases to your rates will likely last for at least three years, resulting in you having to pay thousands of dollars more during that time. You may also find it harder to purchase insurance after being convicted of stunting or careless driving, since some insurers will consider you too high-risk for coverage.
What Counts as Stunting or Careless Driving?
Many drivers in Alberta don’t know that even doughnuts, wheelies, or causing excessive engine noise can all technically result in a charge of stunting or careless driving. While not all of these instances may result in large fines or jail time, they can still drive up your insurance premiums and cost you thousands of unnecessary dollars over the next several years.
How Many Demerit Points Will I Get for Stunting or Careless Driving?
Stunting and careless driving charges come with 6 demerit points. Since it only takes 8 to have your license suspended, this charge can easily put you at risk for losing your ability to drive.
Do All Stunting and Careless Driving Charges Require Court Appearances?
Yes—in Alberta, anyone charged with stunting or careless driving must appear in court. Since you’ll be issued a ticket with a mandatory court appearance, it’s in your best interests to fight this charge. Trust We Defend to review the details of your case and create the best possible argument on your behalf.
Is Fighting a Stunting or Careless Driving Charge Expensive?
Not compared to the alternative. The fines, increases to your insurance rates, and potential loss of income from being imprisoned all amount to much more than the costs of hiring We Defend to fight a stunting or careless driving charge on your behalf.
Why Choose We Defend?
We Defend has over 20 years of experience working on behalf of Alberta drivers to fight stunting and careless driving charges. We’ll use our first hand knowledge of Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act and legal system to argue that you exercised due diligence while driving, or that your actions did not cause sufficient danger to others to meet the charge.