ACF Legal Services

Traffic Tickets
Q What are my chances of winning the case?
A Once we obtain the disclosure and review the material provided by the police service we will provide you with a detailed opinion for you to consider. Then, and only then, will we advise a course of action and provide you with various options. No Paralegal or Lawyer should ever provide you with a guarantee regarding the outcome, however hiring a licensed Paralegal or Lawyer should guarantee that you will make an informed decision that will affect the result.

Q How much does it cost to fight a ticket?
A Cost will depend on many factors including, the seriousness of the charge you are facing, the Court you are required to attend, the amount of Court appearances expected, and other factors that will be discussed in person. Fees should not be discussed over the phone. A face to face meeting to discuss all matters, including fees, should take place before a quote for legal fees is offered. Typically, legal fees for minor Traffic Tickets can range from $350 - $750 and more serious offences can range from $750 - $2500. Be wary of anyone who charges low fees for any type of legal services.

Small Claims Court
Q If I win my case am I guaranteed to get the money?
A Unfortunately there are no guarantees that you will actually collect any money that is awarded to you by the Court. Factors such as Bankruptcy.

Q What is the easiest way to evict my tenant?
A There is no easy way to evict a tenant. A tenancy can only be terminated by way of agreement or by way of an Order from the Landlord and Tenant Board. You can only receive an Order for eviction after a hearing is held based on an application that is filed. Only the Court Enforcement Office (Sherriff) can actually evict the tenant.

Landlords
Q Why should I hire a Paralegal to evict my tenant?
A When you are dealing with issues involving your tenant you are likely to end up at the Landlord and Tenant Board, which is a legal process. Whenever you are involved in a legal matter you should seek and retain legal representation. As well, it is important to remember that you are required to know the law inside and out when it comes to your responsibilities to your tenant. If you do not know how to properly apply the law or conduct an eviction hearing then you should hire a Paralegal..

Q How long does the eviction process take?
A Many factors can affect the length of time an eviction can take. The most important factor in the process is to ensure that the paperwork served to the tenant is in order and served properly. The majority of delays are caused by improperly prepared notices and applications or improper service of documents. Often times, Landlords do not discover their errors until the day of the hearing when the mistake is pointed out by the Member hearing the application. Usually when this happens the application is dismissed and the Landlord must begin the process from scratch.

Q How much does it cost to evict a tenant?
A If you hire a Paralegal you can expect to pay legal fees between $500.00 and $2500.00 depending on the type application you are filing. Paralegals should meet with you personally and evaluate your matter for free before they quote you a fee. Remember not all Lawyers and Paralegals are experts at Landlord and Tenant Law. You should expect to pay a little more for experienced legal representatives.

Residential Tenants
Q What can I do if my landlord won’t attend to repair issues?
A You must inform your landlord in writing about any repair or safety issues. If your landlord does not attend to your concerns you can file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board and seek an Order requiring the Landlord to fix the problems or to allow you to fix the problems yourself and deduct the amount you spend from the rent.

Pardon & U.S. Entry Waiver Services
Q What are the requirements for applying for a pardon?
A You must have been discharged from your sentence, including probation, for at least three years for a Summary Conviction Offence or five years for an indictable offence. You must also have paid all your fines or completed any requirements of the sentence such as anger management courses or driver education class.

Q Why should I hire a Paralegal to assist with my Pardon?
A ACF Legal Services are paralegals licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada to provide legal services. Many other agencies that “specialize” in pardon services are not operated by licensed Paralegals or Lawyers. When you hire a legal service operated by a licensed Paralegal or law firm, you as a consumer are protected, and the service providers are guaranteed to be reputable and accountable.

Q Why do I need a Pardon?
A Your criminal record may not be affecting you right now. Perhaps you don't travel, have a steady job and don't volunteer your services. However, if you ever become unemployed and are applying for a position with a new employer, the chance is good that they will require you to undergo a criminal background check. Maybe you want to take a vacation oversees or to the U.S. Your criminal record could prevent you from leaving Canada. Depending on your offence you may also be barred from coaching, mentoring, or other volunteer services if you have a criminal record. A pardon can help solve these issues.

Fingerprinting
Q How fast will I receive the results of my fingerprints?
A Typically you will receive results in three to five days.

Q What is electronic fingerprinting?
A Electronic fingerprinting is fingerprinting which is accomplished with the use of electronic equipment to capture an image of the subject's fingerprints. This technique is also sometimes known as inkless, live scan, or live capture fingerprinting, and it is in increasingly common use all over the world. In electronic fingerprinting, the fingers of the subject are rolled over a scanning bed which picks up the details of the fingerprints. The machine may be capable of printing out a card with the person's fingerprints, of adding fingerprints to identifications, and of storing the data electronically for internal use. In addition, the data can be sent out electronically for matching with remove databases. With electronic fingerprinting, the turnaround on a set of fingerprints can be as little as 24 hours.

Q Is it a good idea to fingerprint my child?
A Many communities now support the idea of fingerprinting kids as a way to maintain reliable identification data that can be used in the event that the child is missing. Fingerprints can make it easier to determine the identity of a child that has been abducted and later escaped from the captor. As part of the fingerprint kit, cards that have the copy of the prints are provided to the parent or caregiver. Sets of these fingerprint ID cards can be kept at home, as well as in the child's school records. Electronic copies can also be kept on file with law enforcement agencies via national databases.

Criminal Court
Q What kind of charges can a paralegal help with?
A If you are charged with a summary conviction offence, or if the Crown Attorney elects to proceed by way of summary conviction on some charges, a paralegal can assist you. You should have the paralegal review the case and determine if he or she can act before you provide a retainer.