About XPolice Hamilton
XPolice Hamilton – Over 20 Years of Dedicated Traffic Defence
Our Hamilton office has been helping drivers fight traffic tickets and provincial offences since 2003. From the beginning, the mission has been clear: to provide experienced, honest, and strategic defence to everyday people facing driving and regulatory charges.
The legal system was meant to be straightforward for the average person — but it’s not. The process is confusing, the penalties are serious, and even a simple mistake can cost you your licence, your job, or your record. That’s where we come in.
In 2016, the office became locally owned and operated by Steve Petersen, a retired officer with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. He was later joined by Greg Zafirides, also a retired officer with more than 30 years on the force. Together with our team of licensed paralegals, we’ve become one of the most trusted names in traffic ticket defence in Southern Ontario.
Our reputation is known to the courts, to the police, and to the public — and we’re proud to carry that legacy forward.
Traffic Defence in Hamilton: Your Trusted Legal Partner
We’re not just another paralegal firm; we’re one of the most experienced and recognized names in legal defence for traffic and provincial offences in the region.
With over 30 years of policing experience on our team and decades of combined courtroom work, we know how to navigate Ontario’s legal system — and how to fight for your best possible outcome. From traffic tickets to MTO charges, insurance violations, bylaw infractions, and even regulatory offences like Sewer Use or Building Code violations, we’ve seen it all and defended it all.
Whether you're a professional driver, new licence holder, or small business owner — we provide trusted, realistic defence that gets results.
✔️ Over 20 years serving Hamilton and Southern Ontario
✔️ Thousands of cases defended under the HTA and POA
✔️ Licensed paralegals + retired police officers on your team
✔️ Known and respected by local courts and prosecutors
✔️ Real help, real defence — no call centre, no runaround
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Talk to us before you plead guilty — we’ll help you understand your options and protect what matters most.
Meet our team
Steve Petersen
Owner / Operator – Licensed Paralegal
30+ Years in Policing | CVOR & Traffic Enforcement Expert
Steve Petersen began his policing career in 1986 with Durham Regional Police before joining Hamilton Police in 1989. Over three decades, Steve served in numerous units: patrol, marine, custody, weekend and holiday courts, and traffic. He helped launch the bicycle unit and spent several years as a motorcycle officer. He also trained as a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Enforcement Officer, inspecting large trucks and buses for safety violations.
After retiring from policing in 2016, Steve became a licensed paralegal and immediately began defending traffic and provincial offence matters full-time. In 2017, he became the owner/operator of both Hamilton XPolice offices. With deep knowledge of police procedures and enforcement, Steve brings unmatched insight to POA and HTA defence.
Jose Vizinho
Partner/ Licensed Paralegal / Notary Public
Jose Vizinho is a licensed paralegal and notary public known for his authoritative courtroom presence and strategic advocacy in traffic and provincial offences matters. Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario in 2020, Jose has built a leading practice at XPolice Hamilton, earning a reputation for his ability to dissect disclosure, challenge evidentiary weaknesses, and advance sophisticated legal arguments under the Highway Traffic Act, Provincial Offences Act, and related legislation.
Jose regularly conducts contested hearings and trials involving complex procedural and Charter issues. He is the author of Fighting Traffic Tickets in Ontario, a published guide grounded in real courtroom experience and practical legal insight. Fluent in English and Portuguese, Jose provides disciplined, high level representation focused on protecting his clients’ licences, records, and livelihoods.
Sara Hamilton
Licensed Paralegal
Sara Hamilton is a licensed Paralegal who combines legal expertise with a practical, client-first approach. She has hands-on experience working on active legal files and is highly effective in fast-paced, detail-driven environments.
Bilingual in English and French, with roots in Montreal, Sara communicates with clarity and empathy, helping clients feel informed and supported throughout their legal matters. Her background includes over a decade of senior leadership in finance and operations, where she honed her skills in compliance, discretion, and relationship management.
With a strong knowledge of Ontario court and tribunal procedures, Sara is known for her organized, thoughtful approach and her ability to simplify complex processes for her clients.
Greg Zafirides
Consultant
31 Years Police Experience
During his career, Greg served in uniform patrol, core and bicycle patrol, as an acting supervisor, as a scene of crime officer, and as a traffic enforcement officer.
The last five years of Greg’s career was spent assigned to the Divisional Safety Officer where responsibilities included traffic enforcement, personal injury collision investigation, and commercial motor vehicle enforcement.
While serving with the Hamilton Police Service, Greg was trained in the following:
- Collision investigation.
- Commercial motor vehicle enforcement.
- As a motorcycle and ATV officer.
- As a Radar and Lidar speed detection operator.
- As a Scenes of Crime Officer.
- As a Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T) member.
Aynsley Petersen
Operations Manager / Licensed Paralegal
Private Investigator | Commercial Licence Holder
Aynsley Petersen is a licensed paralegal and a long-time private investigator. She holds a commercial driver’s licence and graduated in Police Foundations in 2010. Aynsley continues to operate her private investigation firm while managing the day-to-day operations at XPolice Hamilton. Her background in surveillance, transportation, and client service supports the team’s mission of delivering high-quality POA and traffic defence across Hamilton and surrounding jurisdictions.