Summons For Speeding - Would You Attend?
 

Brief overview

Colleague + A1(M) + 95-99MPH Over 3 Miles + Unmarked BMW = Summons

He has 3 valid points for speeding already. I have told him it may be better for him if attends court rather than plead guilty by post.

What do you reckon?

T

Nah... guilty by post.

Reasoning for this - When I was done for 90.9 on an A road I was told that:

Up to 25 over the limit you can get a fixed penalty...

Between 25 and 30 over the limit it's up to the officer... but...

30+ over the limit it'll go to court.

So - when I had a 90.9 in a 60, I was just over 30+ - and went for a "guilty by post" (2nd offence, same bit of road - had previously been banned on the same stretch, etc. but didn't want to go through the 'stand up, sit down, turn around, get lecturered' crap again...)...

... and I got 3 points, and a big fine.


As your colleague is in the 25-30 over category I'd absolutely just plead guilty by post and take the points and fine. He shouldn't get banned for that, just lucky it was a 70mph limit!

He is still in the 3 point zone, just, but turning can sometimes lesson the fine, its upto him really

If they are considering banning him (and they probably are) then there will be no option but to attend. D

magistrates guidelines indicate that 4-5 points are the usual for this kind of offence. Fine can be upto £2500, but usually alot less and subject to means form testing

It depends on the magistrates and area. I got banned for a week n large fine for 26mph over.

If you take the trouble to turn up at the court, smartly dressed and speak up for yourself, with an apology and assurance of future better behaviour, the magistrates are very much more likely to look on you in a better light.

This is my personal experience anway!

Les

I got caught doing 97 on the M6 at J21a. I knew I was going to go guilty and didn't really have any mitigating circumstances (apart from I was in the Scoob which had just be fully decatted and had a clear stretch of Motorway in front of me!!). I didn't see the point of taking a day off work just to face the Magistrate.

I pleaded by post apologising for taking up the Courts time. The result: 4 points, £200 fine + £35 costs. TBH, I was more then satisified as I knew I was on the verge of being disqualified.

Not quite the same but i got a court summons for driving without due care and attention many years ago.Already had 6 pts for speeding and was possibly looking at a ban if the judge got out of bed the wrong side.

Went to see a solicitor who wrote a grovelling letter for me.He even said at the time it'd probably be better just to accept you're wrong and apologise by letter as sometimes the court can look upon you in a negative way if you turn up and 'waste their time'.

I got 3 pts and £120 fine - best £5 i ever spent !

Not sure on the 'wasting their time' bit but i suppose it really depends on the judge fella,if he's against so called 'boy racer' type cars he may make an example or he may be reasonable about it all.

In 2001 I was summoned for 103mph on the A303, went to court and faced the magistrates. They looked relieved to see someone made the effort and showed some respect to them after dealing with all the Basingstoke scum before me.
Anyway left there with 6 points and £200 fine. Quite happy with that.

i got done doing 106mph on the a127 after a meet at tescos in basildon and down to the seafront.

turned up all suited and booted, looked appologetic and ended up with 6 points and £150 fine (four years ago next Sunday).
i think the magistrates was glad to see someone showing a bit of respect as there were people there in T shirts and caps etc.

very fortunate but making an effort definately helps imo.

Well some varying input which is always good. Magistrates is somewhere in Cambs. and he was in a Laguna so not very boy racer. I have advised him to attend suited and booted and looking demure..........

We shall see

Cheers chaps

T