Discussion
I am due in court for speeding 110 in a 70 ? and I am considering using a solicitor , simon nichols of norwich , I would like to know if I would be better to go it alone ? or have a brief with me ? taking into consideration the opinion of the magistrates , you know the intimidating old wrinklies with no senses of humour ? thanks boys !
grifonz said:
I am due in court for speeding 110 in a 70 ? and I am considering using a solicitor , simon nichols of norwich , I would like to know if I would be better to go it alone ? or have a brief with me ? taking into consideration the opinion of the magistrates , you know the intimidating old wrinklies with no senses of humour ? thanks boys !
Get a lawyer and don't forget to buy a big tub of vasoline on the way to court.C
In before the judgemental brigade come and tell you off, the OP on this thread was very complimentary about his solicitor in similar circumstances.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Oh, and so the following replies don't seem too unpleasant: you baby killing maniac, won't someone think of the children etc.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Oh, and so the following replies don't seem too unpleasant: you baby killing maniac, won't someone think of the children etc.
Im not sure just how much help a solicitor can offer here. What do you plan to say/what will be the basis of your defence?
The last thing you want to do is throw x many hundreds of pounds at a solicitor with very little hope of any real gain.
May be worth just going your self smartly dressed and looking very sorry/ashamed. The smartly dressed bit in my opinion helps as it displays a certain level of respect for the court and its process'
The last thing you want to do is throw x many hundreds of pounds at a solicitor with very little hope of any real gain.
May be worth just going your self smartly dressed and looking very sorry/ashamed. The smartly dressed bit in my opinion helps as it displays a certain level of respect for the court and its process'
screem said:
Im not sure just how much help a solicitor can offer here. What do you plan to say/what will be the basis of your defence?
The last thing you want to do is throw x many hundreds of pounds at a solicitor with very little hope of any real gain.
May be worth just going your self smartly dressed and looking very sorry/ashamed. The smartly dressed bit in my opinion helps as it displays a certain level of respect for the court and its process'
He may be able to keep his license if pleaded the right way (need car for work, ashamed, sorry, etc etc). A lawyer would advise better than the PH crowd. I wonder if Soovy's about?The last thing you want to do is throw x many hundreds of pounds at a solicitor with very little hope of any real gain.
May be worth just going your self smartly dressed and looking very sorry/ashamed. The smartly dressed bit in my opinion helps as it displays a certain level of respect for the court and its process'
C
Many years ago, I was caught on the A11 (60 limit) doing 108.
I had already had a 1 month ban less than 6 months before for doing 125 on the M25.
(Yes, this was in the days before they sent you to prison for such irresponsible behaviour and I am much older and wiser now).
With the prospect of a much longer ban the second time, I hired a specialist Barrister through a friend of mine. The hearing was in a small Magistrates Court in Norfolk, where the only cases were people caught speeding on the A11, it seemed!
My Barrister spoke on my behalf throughout and at great length. Bearing in mind that most of the other defendants didn't even bother with a solicitor, I did feel that it led to the Court taking my mitigating circumstances seriously. My case was the only one where the Magistrates left the room to deliberate.
I was warned by my Barrister to expect at least a 6 month ban. They gave me a 1 month ban. For me, that was a big result.
That Barrister wasn't cheap, but I was looking at losing my job if I had ended up with anything more than a couple of months off the road, so for me it was a very good decision.
Good luck and slow down a bit in the future
I had already had a 1 month ban less than 6 months before for doing 125 on the M25.
(Yes, this was in the days before they sent you to prison for such irresponsible behaviour and I am much older and wiser now).
With the prospect of a much longer ban the second time, I hired a specialist Barrister through a friend of mine. The hearing was in a small Magistrates Court in Norfolk, where the only cases were people caught speeding on the A11, it seemed!
My Barrister spoke on my behalf throughout and at great length. Bearing in mind that most of the other defendants didn't even bother with a solicitor, I did feel that it led to the Court taking my mitigating circumstances seriously. My case was the only one where the Magistrates left the room to deliberate.
I was warned by my Barrister to expect at least a 6 month ban. They gave me a 1 month ban. For me, that was a big result.
That Barrister wasn't cheap, but I was looking at losing my job if I had ended up with anything more than a couple of months off the road, so for me it was a very good decision.
Good luck and slow down a bit in the future
grifonz said:
I am due in court for speeding 110 in a 70 ? and I am considering using a solicitor , simon nichols of norwich , I would like to know if I would be better to go it alone ? or have a brief with me ? taking into consideration the opinion of the magistrates , you know the intimidating old wrinklies with no senses of humour ? thanks boys !
Employ a solicitor and see if he can arrange it so you don't have to be there at all...that would be my recommendation with an attitude like that.
Alex said:
Unless you have a potential defence, a solicitor will be a waste of money.
My guess: 30 day ban.
That's not really true. There are guidelines, text books (such as Wilkinsons) case authorities and general procedural behaviour in the knowledge of a competent motoring lawyer that a Joe Public doesn't have. It can make a huge difference to sentencing on a guilty plea.My guess: 30 day ban.
Paying for a lawyer but saving your job may be money well spent.
pitmansboots said:
GC8 said:
No, he works for a Scamera Partnership and is a sad little weasel of a man.
He doesn't and he isn't.And no, I won't be on the bench. Your comments might be though.
Mags actually as a group have a great sense of humour - they have to, otherwise they'd get very depressed doing what they do - they just don't/won't show it in court.
To the OP. I take it that you admit that you were travelling at 110.
In which case you will have to plead that any ban will have a direct impact on the lives those around you. There needs to be good reason (not that you dont like travelling by bus) for you not to receive a ban. Any supporting evidence from your boss etc will also help.
In which case you will have to plead that any ban will have a direct impact on the lives those around you. There needs to be good reason (not that you dont like travelling by bus) for you not to receive a ban. Any supporting evidence from your boss etc will also help.
- I was advised that turning up with a lawyer may make the situation worse and the advice and presentation doesn't come cheap either.
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