Update on my speeding offence
Discussion
Hi everyone,
A few months back I asked for some advice after being caught speeding on the motorway by Antrim traffic branch. I received much support - many thanks.
Well, the summons was hand delivered at the back door to my house a fortnight ago - by a very nice policeman.
I saw my brief yesterday who said that I am looking at a fine of £1,500 and a 3 month ban.
I can not afford to loose mobility for 3 months - it will cost me my job - which means I can't pay my mortgage - or my mother's mortgage - so we will both end up on the street.
Is it normal for a magistrate to take such a heavy line with a first offender? I thought the judicial system was supposed to be fair? But it appears that it depends on the mood of the magistrate on the day - or his particular pet hate.
I have been told the magistrate in Antrim is very hard - so my bad luck for getting stopped in Antrim.
If any of you have had the experience of going through Antrim court I would appreciate hearing what happened to you.
A few months back I asked for some advice after being caught speeding on the motorway by Antrim traffic branch. I received much support - many thanks.
Well, the summons was hand delivered at the back door to my house a fortnight ago - by a very nice policeman.
I saw my brief yesterday who said that I am looking at a fine of £1,500 and a 3 month ban.
I can not afford to loose mobility for 3 months - it will cost me my job - which means I can't pay my mortgage - or my mother's mortgage - so we will both end up on the street.
Is it normal for a magistrate to take such a heavy line with a first offender? I thought the judicial system was supposed to be fair? But it appears that it depends on the mood of the magistrate on the day - or his particular pet hate.
I have been told the magistrate in Antrim is very hard - so my bad luck for getting stopped in Antrim.
If any of you have had the experience of going through Antrim court I would appreciate hearing what happened to you.
That's probably the worst scenario.
Dress up smartly, apologise and hope for the best.
What speed were you caught at?
I am guessing that unless it is well in excess of 100 that a short ban and large fine, or longer ban and small fine depending on your circumstances will be doled out.
Dress up smartly, apologise and hope for the best.
What speed were you caught at?
I am guessing that unless it is well in excess of 100 that a short ban and large fine, or longer ban and small fine depending on your circumstances will be doled out.
I travel all over the UK with my job - and I just can not afford to pay someone to drive me - plus their hotel and flights - I have been advised to develop Vertigo for a while - so that I can still do work - as I have the opportunity of working from home - but not be able to drive.
I could maybe get away with that for a month - but not for three - my job involves me travelling - I do around 30 - 35 thousand miles a year.
I could maybe get away with that for a month - but not for three - my job involves me travelling - I do around 30 - 35 thousand miles a year.
susiwong said:
I travel all over the UK with my job - and I just can not afford to pay someone to drive me - plus their hotel and flights - I have been advised to develop Vertigo for a while - so that I can still do work - as I have the opportunity of working from home - but not be able to drive.
I could maybe get away with that for a month - but not for three - my job involves me travelling - I do around 30 - 35 thousand miles a year.
Careful with the vertigo thing, if you are banned it may be in the local paper. Plus, if it's a company car they may do a licence inspection at some time. If you can work from home if ill, wouldn't a reasonable employer accommodate you through short term licence loss?
The problem is I am still in my probationary period with my employer - and I do not want to rock the boat so to speak.
I don't use a company car - I drive my own or hire cars
3 months is a long time in terms of what I do for a living - and since I am in management - I can not disappear for that length of time - I need to be mobile.
I don't use a company car - I drive my own or hire cars
3 months is a long time in terms of what I do for a living - and since I am in management - I can not disappear for that length of time - I need to be mobile.
Can your mother drive? (And can you stand her driving?
)My mum is completely oblivious to the deep crap I have myself in at the moment. She is a pensioner, partially disabled - and there is no way I am going to worry her about the possibility of losing her home. It would quite literally kill her off.
The only person who knows is my partner. He has said that if I get a ban for 1 month he can drive me - but the brief said I am looking at 3 - which is why I have the problem.
I know there is an appeal procedure that I can go through - and that would put me in front of another judge - and I can apply to be allowed to drive while I am waiting on the appeal. Apparently the appeal judge is bit more sympathetic - but I just dread the thought of this thing dragging out.
I am quite literally worrying myself sick over this. Its a very effective diet - 3 stones in three months - but I don't think that it will make the top ten - Atkins has nothing to worry about!
The only person who knows is my partner. He has said that if I get a ban for 1 month he can drive me - but the brief said I am looking at 3 - which is why I have the problem.
I know there is an appeal procedure that I can go through - and that would put me in front of another judge - and I can apply to be allowed to drive while I am waiting on the appeal. Apparently the appeal judge is bit more sympathetic - but I just dread the thought of this thing dragging out.
I am quite literally worrying myself sick over this. Its a very effective diet - 3 stones in three months - but I don't think that it will make the top ten - Atkins has nothing to worry about!
susiwong said:
Hi everyone,
A few months back I asked for some advice after being caught speeding on the motorway by Antrim traffic branch. I received much support - many thanks.
Well, the summons was hand delivered at the back door to my house a fortnight ago - by a very nice policeman.
I saw my brief yesterday who said that I am looking at a fine of £1,500 and a 3 month ban.
I can not afford to loose mobility for 3 months - it will cost me my job - which means I can't pay my mortgage - or my mother's mortgage - so we will both end up on the street.
Is it normal for a magistrate to take such a heavy line with a first offender? I thought the judicial system was supposed to be fair? But it appears that it depends on the mood of the magistrate on the day - or his particular pet hate.
I have been told the magistrate in Antrim is very hard - so my bad luck for getting stopped in Antrim.
If any of you have had the experience of going through Antrim court I would appreciate hearing what happened to you.
Haven't you got any para-military mates who can pay the magistrate a visit?
Sorry I thought that's the way things are done over there! Seriously. Surely if you are paying two mortgages you own two houses. Sell one, mother lives with you, then you will be quids in and can hire a driver and pay the fine therefore keeping your job. It's not rocket science.
If only I did know some of the "boys" but I don't mix in that circle!!
I would never sell my mum's house - I think the other half would have an issue with her living with us!!
I just have to hope for either a fine and points, or a small ban and a big fine - I know I have to take what is coming to me for breaking the law - and I won't mind doing it - but when I read the speed survey on this site - and see what other people have been given - particularly the ones who have done more that 117 on motorway - I do get the impression that I am going to get royally screwed on this one.
I would never sell my mum's house - I think the other half would have an issue with her living with us!!
I just have to hope for either a fine and points, or a small ban and a big fine - I know I have to take what is coming to me for breaking the law - and I won't mind doing it - but when I read the speed survey on this site - and see what other people have been given - particularly the ones who have done more that 117 on motorway - I do get the impression that I am going to get royally screwed on this one.
susiwong said:
My mum is completely oblivious to the deep crap I have myself in at the moment. She is a pensioner, partially disabled - and there is no way I am going to worry her about the possibility of losing her home. It would quite literally kill her off.
The only person who knows is my partner. He has said that if I get a ban for 1 month he can drive me - but the brief said I am looking at 3 - which is why I have the problem.
I know there is an appeal procedure that I can go through - and that would put me in front of another judge - and I can apply to be allowed to drive while I am waiting on the appeal. Apparently the appeal judge is bit more sympathetic - but I just dread the thought of this thing dragging out.
I am quite literally worrying myself sick over this. Its a very effective diet - 3 stones in three months - but I don't think that it will make the top ten - Atkins has nothing to worry about!
Flippin' 'eck! There are other jobs you know! You're gonna be seriously ill if you're not careful. I know you're worried, but try to keep some perspective. As somebody once said to me, when I was down, "you only come this way once, it ain't a rehersal!". I know I don't know your full circumstances, but if it were me I'd already have had a preliminary what if? conversation with my employer. At least you'd know then what cards you're playing with. They may just surprise you. If the answer is no licence then no job, end of chat, I'm not sure that's a firm I'd want my long term with any way.
Good luck.
Right heres my two penneth.
You need to put together an extreme hardship case.
You need to involve your employer, because you need a letter from them saying you will lose your job to win the extreme hardship case you are going to put together. You need to tell your employer now, the longer you leave it, the less time they have to work it out. Most directors I know are regularly over 100mph, and may be suprisingly understanding on reatining your position, and they will certainly be willing to write a letter for the court.
You also need to play up the disabled mother angle ( sound cynical ? it is, but you need your licence ) You need a car as she is no longer capable of driving or using public transport, and you take her doctors/shopping, need to visit etc there are no other childern to look after her etc.
You need a statement of means, ( you will need one of these anyway so they can work out a fine ) which shows that the loss of your Job would cause cause income to fall to a level where you cannot afford to pay back morgages.
I am been quite literally worried sick myself about similar issues. Get a decent brief, read up on extreme hardship and you will be able to get off.
Most magistrates hear crap excuses from pikeys, dangerous drivers and drunks all of the time. A smartly dressed professional person with a brief presented case is almost always belived.
If the worst happens, you might be suprised at how lenient lending companies can be. Lots of people fail to pay for periods longer than 3 months. You can often re-negotiate, or find one with payment holidays. Find out, and re-assure yourself you are NOT going to be homeless.
Hope this helps.
You need to put together an extreme hardship case.
You need to involve your employer, because you need a letter from them saying you will lose your job to win the extreme hardship case you are going to put together. You need to tell your employer now, the longer you leave it, the less time they have to work it out. Most directors I know are regularly over 100mph, and may be suprisingly understanding on reatining your position, and they will certainly be willing to write a letter for the court.
You also need to play up the disabled mother angle ( sound cynical ? it is, but you need your licence ) You need a car as she is no longer capable of driving or using public transport, and you take her doctors/shopping, need to visit etc there are no other childern to look after her etc.
You need a statement of means, ( you will need one of these anyway so they can work out a fine ) which shows that the loss of your Job would cause cause income to fall to a level where you cannot afford to pay back morgages.
I am been quite literally worried sick myself about similar issues. Get a decent brief, read up on extreme hardship and you will be able to get off.
Most magistrates hear crap excuses from pikeys, dangerous drivers and drunks all of the time. A smartly dressed professional person with a brief presented case is almost always belived.
If the worst happens, you might be suprised at how lenient lending companies can be. Lots of people fail to pay for periods longer than 3 months. You can often re-negotiate, or find one with payment holidays. Find out, and re-assure yourself you are NOT going to be homeless.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for the information. My brief is already working the mother angle - none of it is a lie - but it doesn't make me feel any better about having to use the situation like this. 
I have been told (although I have been told lots of things since this happened) that no magistrate will put someone out on the street due to something that I have done
Since this is my first and only offence I hope that is the case.
I have also been told that the brief is giving me the worst case senario so that when he hands me his bill I will gladly pay it!
I have been told (although I have been told lots of things since this happened) that no magistrate will put someone out on the street due to something that I have done
Since this is my first and only offence I hope that is the case. I have also been told that the brief is giving me the worst case senario so that when he hands me his bill I will gladly pay it!
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