Hi all,

So I got my summons. It's just for speeding and
the copper noted conditions fine,dry,good etc.
so not too bad...

It seems I have the option to plead guilty
immediately and return the papers with a
letter of mitigation and let the system
deal with that.

I really don't know whether that is the best
course of action. Is there really anything
to gain from going to court considering it
was a 'fair-cop' and my only reason for the
excess speed was not wanting to be late for
my new job? Is not wanting to waste courts
time read as a good thing?

Anyway, I read in places that if they are
considering a ban, then you will have to
attend. But no mention of this on the forms
I got.

Hmmm, what to do? If I'm getting a ban (likely)
I'd really rather not delay it.

thanks,

mico

thundercat

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 13:23:13 GMT, "mico" <(E-Mail Removed)> allegedly wrote:

> I really don't know whether that is the best
> course of action. Is there really anything
> to gain from going to court considering it
> was a 'fair-cop' and my only reason for the
> excess speed was not wanting to be late for
> my new job?

If you're bang to rights, then own up. They've heard nearly every excuse
possible, and aren't likely to buy it - let's face it, everyone is going
to come up with an excuse. Don't know if you'll definitely get a stiffer
fine by going to court, but it certainly won't be less, and you want it
over and done with. So get over it, and get it done.

> Hmmm, what to do? If I'm getting a ban (likely)
> I'd really rather not delay it.

I asked the group this last year or so ago - not for speeding, but
using a bus lane. It was a court summons rather than a fixed penalty
notice - I wrote a (groveling) letter of mitigation and pled guilty by
post but got £30 fine + £45 costs (I think). Not sure the difference
not going made, but saved me wasting a day.

You might not be facing a ban though - would you normally get the
option of pleading guilty by post if it were the case?

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:
>> Hmmm, what to do? If I'm getting a ban (likely)
>> I'd really rather not delay it.
>
> I asked the group this last year or so ago - not for speeding, but
> using a bus lane. It was a court summons rather than a fixed penalty
> notice - I wrote a (groveling) letter of mitigation and pled guilty by
> post but got £30 fine + £45 costs (I think). Not sure the difference
> not going made, but saved me wasting a day.
>
> You might not be facing a ban though - would you normally get the
> option of pleading guilty by post if it were the case?

You can still plead guilty and if they are considering a ban then you will
be told you have to attend
--
Alex

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Zoidberg: "They took away my credit cards!"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk
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GasMan wrote:

<snip>

> As part of my job I have to visit magistrates courts and over the
> years I have developed a working relationship with the senior court
> clerk. When I was stopped last August for 101.5 in a 70 I asked for
> advice from him.
>
> His advice was to employ a solicitor to plead and when the papers
> came through he recommended a particular firm.
>
> FWIW the solicitor wrote to the court advising that the "30 mph over
> rule" is quite arbitrary and, as I was close to it, admitted the
> offence, had a clean licence etc and would pay up on demand it was
> hardly worth a visit to court.
>
> The court accepted that and dealt with the case in my absense fining
> me 300 sovs, 40 sovs costs and 6 points.(1)
>
> Oh and the solicitor represented me at no cost.
>
> HTH
>
> 1. It would have been worth the solicitors fees just to not have to
> listen to some sanctimoious old duffer on the bench saying "Well Mr
> GasMan if your licence is so important to you .......etc" --
>
Given the recent weather, couldn't you have just got on your skis?


--
Lesley
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