Magistrates Court experience?

[samir786]

All,

As the title suggests, has anybody been to a magistrates court for a speeding offence, if so, any advice?

I was caught a few months ago doing 63mph in a 30mph zone (stupid i know), but the only thing I have working for me is a clean licence for the past 7 years.

I have my summons, and im given the option of pleading guilty by post, or pleading guilty and attending court. I would rather plead guilty and attend, in the hope that a bit of grovelling will reduce potential points/fine or length of ban.

Any advice would be appreciated....

[Actus Reus]

I'd attend and grovel, but only if you can actually put forward an excuse for the speed (unlikely) or a reason that demonstrates that losing your licence would cause hardship. Certainly a friend of mine recently got off 97 in a 70 because it would knacker his job, and also his chance to see his son at weekends.

If you can't find excuses like that, I'd say save the court time and do it by post.

(and whilst I am a lawyer, this is not my field at all I'm afraid, so that's not gospel!)

[trix]

not good samir, consider the above but don't grovel too much in some cases you may just have to face up & take it on the chin.
i'd suggest reading through some of the threads on Pistonheads as there are plenty on there all the time

S

[samir786]

I dont want to attend to make excuses for my speed, there was no reason for it apart from stupidy.
If I did lose my licence, it would affect my work as majority of it is field based. I guess I need to attend and just stick to the point without overdoing it. Work are also willing to write a character reference and state that I need my licence for work..

[trix]

I guess I need to attend and just stick to the point without overdoing it.

as I mentioned above worth a look on PH as you should get a guide of what you are looking at points/ban/fine wise

S

[tony4147]

I got done 10 years ago for 66 in a 40 and prior to that had a clean licence for 15 years. I saw the duty solicitor and he said I would probably get 4 points and £100 fine, I ended up with 5 points and £200 fine.
It's all down to who you are up before, I would attend as you can be banned, if you attend it will show you still want your licence.

[samir786]

Hi Tony,

Is the duty solicitor someone who is assigned to you on the day? I haven't been to see anybody for legal advice yet, or plan on taking a solicitor with me.

[wigit]

Remember don't drive to court just in case....

[samir786]

No where to park there anyway

[mickwillow]

Hi
I got caught doing 104 mph in a 70 mph sum 10 years ago !, Got a 7 Day Ban and £150 Fine with no points

[jammyd]

DO you need a car to work?

I got caught doing 109 on a Motorway, Letter from my boss pleading my case ( already had 3 points at the time) and I got lucky, very lucky, I got 6 points and £1050 for the pleasure.

[mickwillow]

take a look at this

http://www.pepipoo.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[samir786]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Seems like the punishment is not set in stone, so its a matter of waiting until the 12th and see what fate has in store for me.

[tony4147]

Hi Tony,

Is the duty solicitor someone who is assigned to you on the day? I haven't been to see anybody for legal advice yet, or plan on taking a solicitor with me.

There is a duty Solicitor, but he decides if you need hime or not. In my case he decided that I wouldn't need him and got it wrong as I ended up with more points and a bigger fine than he thought.
It all felt a waste of time attending court BUT if you want to keep your licence it probably demonstrates the right attitude.

[Toonman555a]

I was caught back in 1988 doing 122mph on the A1(M) - late for the Match... I got a letter from my disabled Mother and ended up with 3pts and £80.00 fine. I was sooo relieved and the Court was very understanding. Not sure it'd be the same if I hadn't attended and been so contrite.

My advice is attend.

Cheers and good luck.

[lancs_lad]

If the court imposes a ban (no matter how long) you should be required to attend as it is a requirement that you are personally told you are banned. If you are banned without being personally notified in court you have a defence for continuing to drive.