Charged With Failure to Remain at the Scene in Ontario? Act Immediately
A conviction can lead to licence suspension, criminal charges, and long-term consequences — early defence is critical.
A charge for failure to remain at the scene of an accident in Ontario is extremely serious. Depending on the circumstances, it may be prosecuted under the Criminal Code or the Highway Traffic Act, and can result in criminal charges, licence suspension, significant fines, jail time, and long-term consequences for your record and future.
These cases often turn on what you knew, when you knew it, and why you left. Situations involving confusion, panic, or lack of awareness can quickly escalate into severe legal exposure if not addressed properly from the outset.
Our Ontario-licensed paralegals provide focused representation for failure to remain charges. We carefully review the facts, assess the evidence, and act quickly to protect your rights and pursue the strongest possible defence strategy.
Serious allegation. Strategic defence. Experienced legal support.
✔ Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario
✔ Flat-Fee Pricing — No Hidden Costs
✔ Defending Drivers Across Ontario
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“Working with Damian felt like finally having someone in my corner who truly cared and knew how to make the system work.” — Abdul H., Former Client
You’re Not Alone — And There Are Clear Legal Options
Failure to remain (or “hit and run”) charges can arise even from minor fender-benders, parking lot incidents, or confusion after a collision. But the legal consequences are serious — and often misunderstood.
At Cordaie Paralegal Services, we help Ontario drivers protect their record, insurance, and future when facing these allegations.
We review the facts carefully, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and respond strategically to limit penalties and defend your right to keep driving.
What a Fail to Remain Charge Really Means in Ontario
Under section 200(1) of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, any driver involved in a collision is legally required to:
- Remain at the scene
- Provide identifying information, including name, address, driver’s licence, vehicle permit, and insurance details
- Offer reasonable assistance if anyone is injured
If police believe you failed to meet any of these obligations, you can be charged — even if you did not realize damage occurred, believed the incident was minor, or left unintentionally.
⚠️Important: This is not a simple parking or traffic ticket.
A conviction for Fail to Remain can carry serious, long-term consequences for your licence, insurance, and future.
Common Situations That Can Lead to Fail to Remain Charges
Fail to remain charges often arise from stress, confusion, or misunderstanding, not intentional wrongdoing.
Common scenarios include:
- Panicking after a minor collision and driving away
- Not realizing contact or damage occurred
- Leaving briefly to find a safer location or call for help
- Another person driving your vehicle at the time
- Delayed or incomplete reporting due to confusion or shock
These are not excuses — but they can form the basis of a defence when the facts are reviewed carefully and handled properly from the outset.
What You’re Facing If Convicted
A conviction for failure to remain at the scene carries serious and lasting consequences, even when the underlying incident involved minor damage or no injuries.
Depending on the circumstances and whether the charge proceeds under the Highway Traffic Act or the Criminal Code, penalties may include:
- Significant fines, often starting in the thousands
- Immediate licence suspension and possible reinstatement conditions
- Demerit points and a permanent mark on your driving record
- Jail time, particularly in cases involving injury or criminal prosecution
- Insurance cancellation or extreme premium increases
- Criminal record exposure if prosecuted under the Criminal Code
Courts treat fail to remain charges harshly because they involve public safety and accountability, not just driving conduct. Penalties can escalate quickly if the case is not handled properly from the start.
Early legal action can make a meaningful difference in limiting the damage to your licence, insurance, and future.
HOW IT WORKS
Your Defence Process —
Step by Step
How We Defend Fail to Remain Charges — Step by Step
Failure to remain charges move quickly and can carry serious consequences. Our step-by-step process is designed to take control early, protect your rights, and position your defence strategically from the outset.
Step 1: Free, Confidential Consultation
Your defence begins with a free consultation. We review the charge, explain whether it falls under the
Highway Traffic Act or the
Criminal Code, and outline the potential penalties and risks you may be facing. You’ll receive clear guidance on what matters most right now and what steps should be taken next.
Evidence and Disclosure Review
Once retained, we request and review full disclosure, including police notes, witness statements, collision reports, and any video or photographic evidence.
We assess what the prosecution must prove and identify gaps, inconsistencies, or procedural issues that may weaken the case.
Defence Strategy and Resolution Options
Based on the evidence, we develop a defence strategy tailored to your situation. This may include addressing intent, knowledge, timing, or identification issues.
Where appropriate, we engage with the prosecution to explore resolution options aimed at
limiting penalties or avoiding more serious outcomes.
Court Representation and Case Resolution
We represent you through the court process, handling filings, communications, and appearances where permitted.
Whether the matter resolves early or proceeds further, we advocate for an outcome that
minimizes the impact on your licence, record, insurance, and future.
“Damian approached my case with empathy and expertise, and made me feel like I finally had someone in my corner.”
Abdul H., Former Client
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Why Drivers Facing Serious Charges Choose Cordaie
- Licensed & Law Society of Ontario (LSO) regulated paralegals — qualified legal professionals experienced in serious driving and fail-to-remain charges
- Flat-fee pricing — clear, upfront costs with no surprise hourly billing
- Courtroom-focused defence — strategic advocacy, not routine ticket processing
- Ontario-wide representation — serving clients from Toronto to Ottawa to Thunder Bay
- Responsive and strategic approach — your case is handled carefully and decisively from the start
When your licence, livelihood, and future are on the line, experience and preparation matter. Trust a defence team that treats your case with the seriousness it deserves.
Your Questions About Fail to Remain Charges — Answered Clearly
A Fail to Remain charge (often called hit and run) is one of the most serious driving offences in Ontario. Even when no one is injured and damage appears minor, leaving the scene of an accident can lead to significant fines, licence suspension, insurance fallout, and — in some cases — criminal charges.
In this FAQ section, we answer the most common questions drivers have about Fail to Remain charges. Our experienced Ontario paralegals know how to analyze the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and respond strategically to protect your driving record, insurance, and future.
Still Have Questions?
Start with a free, confidential consultation and get clear answers before your court date.
1. What is “Fail to Remain” or “Hit and Run” in Ontario?
Under section 200(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, any driver involved in a collision must stop, stay at the scene, and give their information to the other party or police.
If you leave — even briefly — you can be charged with Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident (commonly known as a hit and run).
2. Is “Fail to Remain” a criminal charge?
It can be.
If the case involves injury, death, or serious property damage, police may lay Criminal Code charges in addition to the Highway Traffic Act offence.
Those carry heavier penalties, including possible jail and a permanent criminal record.
3. What happens if I didn’t realize I was involved in an accident?
Intent matters — the Crown must prove you knew or ought to have known a collision occurred.
If you genuinely didn’t notice damage or impact, that can be a valid defence, depending on evidence.
4. Will I lose my driver’s licence?
A conviction can result in a licence suspension of up to two years, depending on the severity and whether it’s your first offence.
Even if you don’t lose your licence immediately, your insurance rates will likely skyrocket and stay high for years.
5. Can a licensed paralegal handle a "Fail to Remain" charge?
Yes — under Ontario law, licensed paralegals regulated by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) are authorized to represent clients in Highway Traffic Act cases.
If your case involves Criminal Code charges, we can likey assist you if it is a summary offence.
6. Can I avoid a conviction?
Possibly.
Every case is unique — and we’ve seen many resolved through:
- Negotiated withdrawals or reductions
- Procedural errors in police reporting
- Insufficient proof of identification
- Charter or evidence-based challenges
That’s why it’s crucial to act fast and have your case reviewed before your first court date.
7. How soon should I contact Cordaie Paralegal Services?
Immediately.
"Fail to Remain" cases move quickly, and early disclosure requests or witness preservation can make a huge difference in your outcome.
The sooner you contact us, the more strategic options we can preserve for your defence.
8. How much does it cost to hire Cordaie Paralegal Services?
We offer flat-fee pricing — no hourly surprises.
Every client receives a clear quote upfront based on the complexity of their case. All of our fees are stated right here on our website. Visit our fee schedule to see our rates.
Our initial case review is completely free and confidential.
9. Will this affect my insurance?
Yes — insurance companies treat “Fail to Remain” as a major conviction, often resulting in non-renewal or massive premium increases.
However, if we help you avoid conviction, your insurer cannot treat it as one.
10. What should I do right now if I’ve been charged?
Don’t panic — but don’t wait.
Avoid speaking to police or insurance adjusters until you’ve spoken to a legal representative.
Call Cordaie Paralegal Services immediately for your free, confidential case review.
Don’t Wait — Early Action Matters
Failure to remain charges are taken seriously and delays can limit your options. Early legal guidance helps assess the evidence and protect your position. We handle the process, communicate with the prosecutor, and guide you every step.
Start with a free, confidential consultation and get clear answers today.
Ontario-Wide Defence for
Driving While Prohibited Charges
From major cities to smaller communities across Ontario, we defend individuals charged with failure to remain at the scene of an accident under the Highway Traffic Act and the Criminal Code. These allegations are taken seriously and can arise in a wide range of circumstances, from minor property damage to more serious incidents. Our approach is designed to reduce stress during a challenging legal situation, with many steps handled remotely and minimal need for courthouse attendance. You receive clear guidance throughout the process and are never left to navigate deadlines, court requirements, or procedural rules on your own.
Our Ontario-wide defence services for failure to remain (hit and run) charges focus on careful preparation, detailed review of the evidence, and effective advocacy. We provide transparent flat-rate pricing, assess whether the legal elements of the offence can be proven, and offer practical, straightforward advice at every stage of the case. Whether the allegation involves property damage, bodily injury, or identification issues, we represent clients across Ontario from start to finish.
