Help Legal Advice Needed

[mikeyb13]

Got flashed by a Speed Camera last October and got a letter through saying I was flashed at 86 in a 50 and asking to indentify the driver. Sent it back saying it was me and heard nothing more from them. A few weeks ago whilst I was on Holiday I recieved a letter to say I was to go to the Police station to collect legal doccuments but when I went they said they had been returned to the PF. On Thursday 8th a chap came to the door to deliver a letter which said that I had failed to attend a hearing on 23rd Mar and the case had been adjorned to the 13th Apr.

On the Friday I phoned the PF as I hadnt even revieved a copy of the charge with and was told that it was a speeding charge and that they would post me out detail of the charges which I presume ill recieve on Monday 12th mid morning. They seemed to think it was resonable that I have less than 1 working day to appoint a solicitor and prepare a plea/defence.

What can I do? Ive been told I have to attend or appoint a solicitor and have a half a day during which Im meant to be at work

[thefastone]

This does not sound particularly fair... I'd get yourself a solicitor mate, as it sounds like they are being pretty unfair about the whole thing... I'm pretty certain that they have to confirm that you have been informed before they can do you for failing to appear... Sure that it has to be signed for...

Sounds like they are playing funny buggers to be honest mate...

I mean, no matter what you did, you put your hands up, you showed willing, it was them that didn't inform you.

Oh, and by the way, there's a good chance that you are about to lose your licence straight off the bat... (I'm no expert, but sure they only generally call you in to court for that reason...)

Edited April 11, 2010 by thefastone

[gordi82]

I know of 3 people who have been let off with similar offences. If you can go in prepar a sorry letter put your hands up and tell them just how important your licence is to you and your family. Everyone I know has had a semi large fine Around the £700 mark but betwwen 4 and 7 points. If you just go in and say nothing they will ban you. Make sure you sound sinsere and you should be ok. You will get a solicitor quite easily.

Good luck

[david_taylor]

I know of 3 people who have been let off with similar offences. If you can go in prepar a sorry letter put your hands up and tell them just how important your licence is to you and your family. Everyone I know has had a semi large fine Around the £700 mark but betwwen 4 and 7 points. If you just go in and say nothing they will ban you. Make sure you sound sinsere and you should be ok. You will get a solicitor quite easily.

Good luck

Couple of years ago, I stupidly got caught doing 91 in a 50(M80). I got my letter delivered to the door by a copper, and I asked why they did not just post them. He said that they need to have a signature from the offendant to proceed with the case.

I would ask the same question, as you cant exactly turn up at court if you dont know you were meant to be there.

I pleaded guilty my post and was not summoned. Got 5 points and 200 pound fine.

Lesson learned!!

[marky.t.s]

Couple of years ago, I stupidly got caught doing 91 in a 50(M80). I got my letter delivered to the door by a copper, and I asked why they did not just post them. He said that they need to have a signature from the offendant to proceed with the case.

I would ask the same question, as you cant exactly turn up at court if you dont know you were meant to be there.

I pleaded guilty my post and was not summoned. Got 5 points and 200 pound fine.

Lesson learned!!

i remember that................stupid boy!

[david_taylor]

i remember that................stupid boy!

Hence the 1.6 focus these days!!

[StrikE]

Failing to stop for a police officer, doing 70 in a 40 about 15 yrs ago in a Cavalier CDi

Went to court, gave them a letter from my employer that i typed up on stolen headed paper pleading for the 'employee' not to lose his licence, got 4 point and £200 fine

Got off with the failing to stop & i to this day dont know what those 2 gay traffic barstewards were doing in that bush together before they jumped out on me

Came to my door a few days later at 6:30 am on a Sat & just about knocked my door down to tell me i was busted

lesson learned also, never speed in a 'built up' area, that area being the big straight road before lanark loch late late evening.

I watch speed limits more than i look out of my windscreen now and rightly so, limits are there for a reason.

Best of luck

[WRXGirly]

Got flashed by a Speed Camera last October and got a letter through saying I was flashed at 86 in a 50 and asking to indentify the driver. Sent it back saying it was me and heard nothing more from them. A few weeks ago whilst I was on Holiday I recieved a letter to say I was to go to the Police station to collect legal doccuments but when I went they said they had been returned to the PF. On Thursday 8th a chap came to the door to deliver a letter which said that I had failed to attend a hearing on 23rd Mar and the case had been adjorned to the 13th Apr.

On the Friday I phoned the PF as I hadnt even revieved a copy of the charge with and was told that it was a speeding charge and that they would post me out detail of the charges which I presume ill recieve on Monday 12th mid morning. They seemed to think it was resonable that I have less than 1 working day to appoint a solicitor and prepare a plea/defence.

What can I do? Ive been told I have to attend or appoint a solicitor and have a half a day during which Im meant to be at work

they can't take you to court if you've not been served with papers within 6 months of the date of offence, sending them back to the polcie office and asking you to go collect ain't on. go to court , tell them the details and ask for a continuance. you should get it. tell the judge that you've not been presented with any evidence ( ie police statements , pictures etc ) and you are entitled to this before your trial. when you get the continuance get a lawyer quick smart.

only thing i can foresee ****ing you up is you sent back the NIP and told them it was you hence pleading quilty in advance of the court case and it just being a matter of how bad the points and fine are gonna be.

as for the person above who said your getting a ban just for being taken to court, talking pish. get a good lawyer , get a letter from your employer and you'll walk away with less than 6 points

[braveheart]

An idea coming your way.. sent you a pm..

[badbaz]

Failing to stop for a police officer, doing 70 in a 40 about 15 yrs ago in a Cavalier CDi

Went to court, gave them a letter from my employer that i typed up on stolen headed paper pleading for the 'employee' not to lose his licence, got 4 point and £200 fine

Got off with the failing to stop & i to this day dont know what those 2 gay traffic barstewards were doing in that bush together before they jumped out on me

Came to my door a few days later at 6:30 am on a Sat & just about knocked my door down to tell me i was busted

lesson learned also, never speed in a 'built up' area, that area being the big straight road before lanark loch late late evening.

I watch speed limits more than i look out of my windscreen now and rightly so, limits are there for a reason.

Best of luck

They'll let anyone moderate these days!!

Hello Del

[weedman]

Have a look at http://www.pepipoo.com/ It's a site dedicated to looking at speeding offences.

Go to FAQ's and Forums and fill in their NIP (Notice of Intended prosecution) wizard. You should get some useful replies.

[tomwrx08]

if u have been flashed with a camera they have i think 2or 4 wks from the date of incident to serve u notice or they cant continue,

defo get a lawyer,am sure u have to sign the paperwork regardless if u admit guilt via post as there no proof u got the summons that why they usually send a copper round with it

and for the ban ,if u do more than 20mph above the speed limit it always goes to court but then they have to take into time,road,traffic,area etc before a ban is considered,

best of luck and let u know how it went

Edited April 12, 2010 by junior1910

[StrikE]

They'll let anyone moderate these days!!

Hello Del

lol Barry if it needs done, i am your man

I never nicked it........ the secretary i was er, 'giving a lift home' got it for me

[Jimmy321]

if u have been flashed with a camera they have i think 2or 4 wks from the date of incident to serve u notice or they cant continue

I hope you are correct, i got flashed 4 weeks ago yesterday doing 76 in a temp 50 zone going north after J44 on the M6.

[thefastone]

as for the person above who said your getting a ban just for being taken to court, talking pish. get a good lawyer , get a letter from your employer and you'll walk away with less than 6 points

Yeah, not like me to talk pish eh...

Actually, I didn't say it was for sure, I said "Theres a good chance" but 36mph over the limit... Last time I got caught that far over the limit, It was a straight ban and fine (no points)... (English Magistrate admittedly - With my Commanding officer there to give a statement to the court) so, talking from experience. Though, to be honest this is one that I hope is let off on a technicality for the way that the police have handled it...

let us know how you got on mate.