Speeding charge - mitigating circumstances form advice

[zed4]

Hi,

I’m filling out a mitigating circumstances form for a speeding charge. It’s being heard at a magistrates court.

I have a form with dotted lines which I’m supposed to fill out by hand. I’ve typed up a letter, could I print it out and staple it to this, or cut it out and glue it onto this form? Or does it really need to be handwritten? I don’t think I could fit it all on that page! Also, how much should I write? I may have written too much...

Thanks,

Dan

[TooMany2cvs]

"Please see attached letter"

[agtlaw]

TooMany2cvs said:

"Please see attached letter"

And, if applicable then - "Please also see attached letter from my employer."

ETA some advice about mitigation letters:

- send five copies of your letter/s - as there are usually 3 magistrates, a clerk and sometimes a prosecutor
- your letter should be one page in length, or two at most.
- typeface should be 12 or 14 point.

Edited by agtlaw on Sunday 1st February 14:43

[zed4]

agtlaw said:

TooMany2cvs said:

"Please see attached letter"

And, if applicable then - "Please also see attached letter from my employer."

Fantastic, thank you both.

[abc2011]

Don't make it too long or the Magistrates won't want to read it.

[richs2891]

If make claims that not your own car driving (eg hire car) at time or a new car to you - then have proof of this.
Same with any claim - have proof to back it up as much as possible.

Dont expect the magistrate to want to read them or believe your mitigating circumstances and
Be prepared for logic or any mitigating circumstances to be totally ignored.

(They should treat every case as unique and without prejudice, but I guess some magistrates have heard every excuse under the sun)

[Slidingpillar]

There are various tricks to getting something shorter, one of them being to look carefully at all occurrences of the word 'that'. If it can be removed without altering the meaning, do so.

Prose that features excessive use of the word 'that' can also sound rather like preaching. Definitely not a good idea in your circumstances.

Edited by Slidingpillar on Wednesday 21st January 20:34