According to The Toronto Star, the new annual ‘Family Day’ holiday, set for February 18th by the re-elected Liberal government, may help those with minor traffic offenses bypass their court appearances set for that day.

“McGuinty hastily decreed the new holiday with an order-in-council signed by cabinet on Oct. 11, the day after his Liberals were re-elected. It was proclaimed into law Dec. 19.

Despite the change, trial notices have already been sent out, meaning hundreds of people charged with offences are being summonsed to court on Feb. 18”.

As courthouses across the province will be closed for the statutory holiday, those who are facing February 18^th court dates may be presented with an opportunity to miss their trials, as changing dates for so many cases is, as paralegal Brian Lawrie states, “legally and logistically difficult”.

“Brendan Crawley, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General, confirmed that the courts in all 54 Ontario jurisdictions would be closed for the new holiday.

Advised that there could be a loophole to be exploited, Crawley said: `I couldn’t comment on what individual litigants may or may not do’.”

For the most current and up-to-date information regarding Ontario’s courts and traffic law, keep coming to the Legal Action blog, as we cover all the stories, incidents and reports that may effect your driving record and your place on the road.

If you have any questions regarding a traffic offense you have incurred, contact us and we’ll be your legal guide in Ontario’s legal jungle.