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Criminal Code s.320.16

Fail to Stop After Accident charges in Barrie, Ontario.

Failing to stop after a collision involving another person, vehicle, or animal, with knowledge of the accident. The criminal counterpart to the HTA's Fail to Remain — escalates when injury or death is involved.

Courthouse
Barrie Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)
Court Phone
(705) 739-6111
Consultation
Free & Confidential
i.

What the charge means

Section 320.16 of the Criminal Code prohibits a person involved in an accident with another conveyance, person, or animal from failing to stop and provide their name, address, and licence information, or fleeing the scene with knowledge of the accident.

ii.

Penalties

Hybrid. On summary election: up to 2 years less a day. On indictment: up to 10 years (more for bodily harm or death cases). Mandatory driving prohibitions and criminal record on conviction.

iii.

Available defences

  • Lack of knowledge of the accident
  • Reasonable excuse for not stopping (e.g., fear for safety)
  • Identification of the driver
  • Charter compliance of the investigation
iv.

The process

If Crown elects summary, within paralegal scope. If indictable election is made (common for injury cases), we refer to a barrister. Disclosure focuses on the accused's knowledge of the accident.

v.

Notes for Barrie

OPP Central Region patrols the 400 corridor heavily — Barrie sees a high volume of stunt driving and speeding matters from Highway 400 and Highway 11. Summary criminal matters proceed at the Barrie courthouse on Mulcaster Street.

Barrie Courthouse (Ontario Court of Justice)

75 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON L4M 3P2
(705) 739-6111

Charged with fail to stop after accident?

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