Charged With Running a Red Light in Ontario? Protect Your Record
A red light conviction can affect your driving record and insurance — early defence can help
A red light ticket in Ontario can carry fines, demerit points, and insurance consequences that affect your driving record long after the ticket is issued. Whether the charge comes from an officer or a red light camera, the consequences can be more serious than many drivers expect.
Red light cases often involve technical issues, timing, signage, and procedural requirements that must be proven correctly. Not every ticket is as straightforward as it appears, and mistakes in evidence or process can make a difference.
Our Ontario-licensed paralegals provide experienced red light ticket defence across the province. We review the charge, assess disclosure, and represent you through early resolution discussions or trial when appropriate — with the goal of protecting your record and minimizing long-term impact.
Clear guidance. Strategic defence. Professional representation.
✔ Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario
✔ Flat-Fee Pricing — No Hidden Costs
✔ Defending Drivers Across Ontario
★★★★★ Verified Google Review
“I’ve contacted several paralegals and they were the fastest and most informative. Damian gave me clear guidance right from the initial consultation.” — Kelly Y., Former Client
Failure to Stop Charge Really Means in Ontario
A “failure to stop” offence in Ontario usually means entering an intersection after the light has turned red. While often treated as a minor ticket, a conviction can still lead to demerit points, fines, and insurance consequences.
These charges are laid under the Highway Traffic Act and often rely on timing and an officer’s observation. Factors such as when the light changed, your position in the intersection, and how the event was documented can all affect the strength of the case.
Because failure to stop charges frequently involve judgment calls, they are often defensible when the evidence is reviewed carefully. How the charge is handled early can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.
The Real Penalties of a Failure to Stop Conviction in Ontario
A failure to stop conviction in Ontario can lead to fines, demerit points, and lasting insurance consequences. While the offence may seem minor, it still appears on your driving record and can affect your insurance rates for years.
Beyond the immediate penalty, what many drivers underestimate is the long-term impact. Insurance companies often treat moving violations seriously, and even a single conviction can result in higher premiums or policy changes.
Because these charges often depend on timing, visibility, and an officer’s interpretation, they are frequently worth challenging. How the charge is handled early can determine whether it stays on your record or is resolved more favourably.
If your licence, record, and insurance matter to you, addressing a failure to stop charge strategically — not passively — can make a real difference.
We Defend All Failure-To-Stop Charges Across Ontario
Failure-to-stop charges can arise in many different ways, and the details matter. Whether the allegation involves a red light, stop sign, or an officer’s interpretation of when a signal changed, each situation requires careful review.
We defend drivers against all types of failure-to-stop offences, including officer-laid tickets and red-light camera charges. Our approach focuses on examining the evidence, assessing how the offence was observed and documented, and identifying issues that may affect the strength of the case.
No matter how the charge was issued or where it occurred, we provide clear guidance, strategic defence, and professional representation designed to protect your driving record and minimize long-term consequences.
HOW IT WORKS
Your Failure-to-Stop Defence — Step by Step
Step 1: Free Consultation (Start With Clarity)
Your defence begins with a free consultation.
We review the failure-to-stop charge, explain the potential penalties, and clarify how the allegation may affect your driving record and insurance. You’ll get straightforward answers about your options and what steps make sense next — without pressure or obligation.
Evidence Review and Disclosure Request
Once retained, we request full Crown disclosure and carefully review the evidence. This may include officer notes, signal timing details, intersection layout, or red-light camera records.
Because failure-to-stop charges often rely on timing and observation, this step is critical to identifying weaknesses or inconsistencies.
Defence Strategy & Resolution Options
Based on the evidence, we develop a defence strategy tailored to your situation.
Where appropriate, we pursue early resolution discussions.
If the allegation is unsupported or unclear, we prepare to challenge the charge through the court process.
Court Representation & Case Resolution
We represent you through the Provincial Offences Court process, handling filings, communication with the prosecutor, and court appearances where permitted.
In many cases, the matter can move forward without you needing to attend court, reducing stress while your case is resolved.
Why Choose Cordaie for Failure-to-Stop Defence in Ontario
A failure-to-stop charge can have lasting effects on your driving record and insurance. Even a single conviction can follow you for years if it isn’t handled properly.
At Cordaie, we provide focused failure-to-stop defence across Ontario. These charges often rely on timing and officer observation, which makes careful evidence review critical. We assess disclosure, identify weaknesses, and guide your case strategically from start to resolution.
With clear communication, efficient handling, and professional representation, we work to minimize long-term consequences — often with little or no court attendance required.
“I’ve contacted several paralegals and they were the fastest and most informative. Damian gave me clear guidance right from the initial consultation.”
Kelly Y., Former Client
Verified Google Review
Failure-to-Stop Defence for Drivers Across Ontario
We defend drivers charged with failure-to-stop offences anywhere in Ontario — from major cities to smaller communities. Your defence doesn’t depend on where the ticket was issued. Our province-wide approach allows us to manage your case efficiently and consistently under the Highway Traffic Act.
Much of the process can be handled remotely, with limited or no courthouse attendance required in many cases. From your first consultation onward, we handle deadlines, disclosure, and communication with the prosecutor, so you’re never left navigating the system alone.
With clear guidance, careful preparation, and transparent pricing, we provide focused failure-to-stop defence designed to protect your driving record wherever you’re charged in Ontario.
Your Questions About Failure-to-Stop Charges in Ontario — Answered Clearly
After receiving a failure-to-stop charge, many drivers are left with the same questions: How serious is this? Will it affect my insurance? Do I need to go to court? Can it be challenged?
This FAQ section addresses the most common concerns Ontario drivers have after being charged with a failure-to-stop offence under the Highway Traffic Act. It explains how these charges are handled, what penalties may apply, and how the process works in Provincial Offences Court.
These answers are meant to provide general guidance — not legal advice. Every case depends on specific facts, evidence, and timing. Getting clear information early can help you avoid mistakes and understand whether the charge is worth challenging.
Knowing your options early puts you in a stronger position to protect your driving record.
1. What happens if I get a ticket for not stopping at a stop sign or red light?
If convicted, you’ll receive 3 demerit points, a fine up to $1,000, and likely see an increase in your insurance premium.
G1/G2 drivers may face licence suspension, and if the incident involves an accident, it could be upgraded to careless driving — a much more serious charge.
2. Is it worth fighting a failure to stop ticket?
Yes — absolutely. These charges impact your driving record and insurance long-term.
Many cases involve subjective interpretation (e.g. “rolling stop”) or unclear signage, and we’ve successfully had many of these tickets withdrawn, dismissed, or reduced.
3. What if I didn’t fully stop, but slowed down?
That’s still considered a violation under the law. “Rolling stops” are one of the most common reasons people are ticketed at stop signs.
However, we can often challenge whether the stop was sufficient or whether visibility, road markings, or officer position play a role in your defence.
4. Can a failure to stop ticket be removed from my record?
If you fight the ticket and win or get it withdrawn, it will not go on your driving record.
If you plead guilty or don’t respond, it will stay on your record for at least 3 years — and your insurer may see it even longer.
5. Do you handle these cases outside the GTA?
Yes. Cordaie Paralegal Services handles traffic offences across Ontario, from Toronto to Ottawa to Windsor and everywhere in between.
We have experience with local courts, judges, and prosecutors across the province.
6. What if I’m a novice driver (G1 or G2)?
You face stricter penalties, including an automatic 30-day licence suspension on your first offence.
It’s especially important to fight these charges before they affect your driving record or insurance eligibility.
7. How much does it cost to fight a ticket with Cordaie?
We offer flat-fee pricing, so you know your cost upfront. No hourly rates, no hidden fees.
Your case is handled by a Law Society of Ontario (LSO) licensed paralegal from start to finish — no shortcuts.
All our fees are stated right here on our website under the Fees Schedule for Traffic Offences & Other POA.
Start Protecting Your Licence and Record — Before Court
Throughout Ontario — from large urban centres to smaller communities — we represent drivers charged with failing to stop at stop signs or red lights under the Highway Traffic Act. Wherever your charge was laid, you receive the same focused, professional defence.
Our process is designed to minimize disruption to your life. Many steps can be handled remotely, with little or no courthouse attendance required in many cases. From the start, you are guided through each stage and never left to manage court deadlines or procedures on your own.
Our Ontario-wide POA defence is built on careful preparation, clear communication, and transparent flat-rate pricing. We thoroughly review the evidence and explain your options in plain language to ensure your defence is handled properly from the outset. Whether the allegation involves intersection timing, signal changes, or officer observation, we assist drivers at every stage, anywhere in Ontario.
