(01-19-2021, 11:24 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: I would be curious to know what kind of success rate people have fighting tickets, including using services like "x-coppers" or whatever. Cross referencing with income, race etc. I feel like someone must have studied this data.
I can give you non-scientific evidence, based on my personal experience being in traffic court.
The paralegal services are great if you can't take a day off work, but they don't really have any "insider" knowledge. They will attempt to get a reduction in fine amounts, just like any citizen can do by pleading guilty with an explanation. They check to ensure the officer is in attendance (and will request the charge be withdrawn if they are not) - something anyone can do if you recognize the officer. They are also aware of what on a ticket is fatal (ie. there are very few things on a ticket that will get it thrown out, but if one of those exist, they will exploit it) as well they know very well everything that the officer has to prove in their testimony, and if something is missed, they will request the charge be withdrawn as required evidence is missing. (ie. Officer stated in the City of Cambridge, but did not state in the Province of Ontario, therefore I have concerns that this court has no legal authority to deal with this charge, and that it be withdrawn).
Normally plead guilty in exchange for a reduction (that they can claim to the customer is "a win"), and sometimes they sit thru the trial with a checklist, have no evidence to present and accept the verdict at the end.
Coke