Summoned to magistrate's court - any advice?
Discussion
I ran a red light whilst following Google Maps instructions in an unfamiliar area and t-boned a car at 30 mph. Both cars were written off. The ambulance was called and the driver spent a bit of time in there but ultimately was sent on his way with a friend. The police attended and I was breathalysed (nil reading). I have no previous points on my licence. I admitted I was at fault.
I received my Single Justice Procedure via post and plead guilty. Then later I received the Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification on the grounds of "the seriousness of the offence" and am due to attend magistrate's court at the end of the year.
If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd be grateful for any advice.
Steps I'm currently contemplating are:
- Taking an advanced driver's course to show I'm taking things seriously (could you advise on which company?)
- Getting affidavits from my 2 employees in the retail business I own to confirm they do not drive and that I am the only one who can deliver stock from the cash and carry.
- I'll wear a suit and tie, have a fresh haircut and shave, and look sufficiently apologetic during the proceedings.
- I'll instruct a solicitor to represent me.
Any other advice? Thanks
I received my Single Justice Procedure via post and plead guilty. Then later I received the Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification on the grounds of "the seriousness of the offence" and am due to attend magistrate's court at the end of the year.
If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd be grateful for any advice.
Steps I'm currently contemplating are:
- Taking an advanced driver's course to show I'm taking things seriously (could you advise on which company?)
- Getting affidavits from my 2 employees in the retail business I own to confirm they do not drive and that I am the only one who can deliver stock from the cash and carry.
- I'll wear a suit and tie, have a fresh haircut and shave, and look sufficiently apologetic during the proceedings.
- I'll instruct a solicitor to represent me.
Any other advice? Thanks
ATV said:
I ran a red light whilst following Google Maps instructions in an unfamiliar area and t-boned a car at 30 mph. Both cars were written off. The ambulance was called and the driver spent a bit of time in there but ultimately was sent on his way with a friend. The police attended and I was breathalysed (nil reading). I have no previous points on my licence. I admitted I was at fault.
I received my Single Justice Procedure via post and plead guilty. Then later I received the Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification on the grounds of "the seriousness of the offence" and am due to attend magistrate's court at the end of the year.
If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd be grateful for any advice.
Steps I'm currently contemplating are:
- Taking an advanced driver's course to show I'm taking things seriously (could you advise on which company?)
- Getting affidavits from my 2 employees in the retail business I own to confirm they do not drive and that I am the only one who can deliver stock from the cash and carry.
- I'll wear a suit and tie, have a fresh haircut and shave, and look sufficiently apologetic during the proceedings.
- I'll instruct a solicitor to represent me.
Any other advice? Thanks
I’d suggest following the advice of the solicitor that you’re going to be paying for, as they’re the experts, unlike us on here who will say anything and could land you in much bigger do-do than you currently are. I received my Single Justice Procedure via post and plead guilty. Then later I received the Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification on the grounds of "the seriousness of the offence" and am due to attend magistrate's court at the end of the year.
If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd be grateful for any advice.
Steps I'm currently contemplating are:
- Taking an advanced driver's course to show I'm taking things seriously (could you advise on which company?)
- Getting affidavits from my 2 employees in the retail business I own to confirm they do not drive and that I am the only one who can deliver stock from the cash and carry.
- I'll wear a suit and tie, have a fresh haircut and shave, and look sufficiently apologetic during the proceedings.
- I'll instruct a solicitor to represent me.
Any other advice? Thanks
Out of interest why do you think being in an unfamiliar area is relevant? Surely you’d pay more attention rather than less, equally red lights have the same meaning in all areas and they’re not exactly difficult to see.
Durzel said:
IANAL but saying that you were in an unfamiliar place and blindly following the satnav as a reason you missed a red light are aggravating circumstances, not mitigating.
I don't think the OP was planning on using those as mitigating factors in the courtroom, more perhaps to stave off the inevitable PH response when someone screws up and asks for help 
bad company said:
Great advice and ignore the sanctimonious comments here from those who’ve obviously never made a mistake.
Or maybe the 'sanctimonious comments' here are from those who HAVE made mistakes, learnt from them and now wish to pass on their knowledge to others.Still agree though that contacting AGT is the best advice.
What a crap situation alround. Credit for taking responsibility though, see so many threads on here with people denying things, passing the blame and lying out right when causing an accident.
As has been said above, solicitor like AGTLaw and follow their advice to the letter.
As for advanced driving, take a look at the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) or RoSPA (Royal Society Prevention of Accidents). They will have groups local to you, cost is absolutely negligible and you'll pick up alot of skills and brush up on skills you currently have.
As has been said above, solicitor like AGTLaw and follow their advice to the letter.
As for advanced driving, take a look at the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) or RoSPA (Royal Society Prevention of Accidents). They will have groups local to you, cost is absolutely negligible and you'll pick up alot of skills and brush up on skills you currently have.
Confuses me plenty of time people make these mistakes and seem to get away with it.
OP has made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Most of us though make mistakes when noone is about or we get away with it.
I've certainly accidentally ran a red light before. It happens.
By any chance OP are you a youngish male of any ethnicity and do you have an even remotely interesting car?
I would suspect if it was a 45 year old woman in a Jazz they wouldn't get a summons.
OP has made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Most of us though make mistakes when noone is about or we get away with it.
I've certainly accidentally ran a red light before. It happens.
By any chance OP are you a youngish male of any ethnicity and do you have an even remotely interesting car?
I would suspect if it was a 45 year old woman in a Jazz they wouldn't get a summons.
Edited by 320d is all you need on Sunday 16th May 16:28
320d is all you need said:
Confuses me plenty of time people make these mistakes and seem to get away with it.
OP has made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Most of us though make mistakes when noone is about or we get away with it.
I've certainly accidentally ran a red light before. It happens.
By any chance OP are you a youngish male of any ethnicity and do you have an even remotely interesting car?
I would suspect if it was a 45 year old woman in a Jazz they wouldn't get a summons.
I suspect if you ran a red light, T-boned a car enough for an ambulance to be called, the judicial outcome would be similar.OP has made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Most of us though make mistakes when noone is about or we get away with it.
I've certainly accidentally ran a red light before. It happens.
By any chance OP are you a youngish male of any ethnicity and do you have an even remotely interesting car?
I would suspect if it was a 45 year old woman in a Jazz they wouldn't get a summons.
Edited by 320d is all you need on Sunday 16th May 16:28
(ps. What does the term ‘of any ethnicity’ mean? Surely that means ‘anyone’?)
I had an accident about 10 years ago.
I was rear ended at high speed.
An ambulance was called. My car was a complete write off. The road was closed for 2 hours.
I had to take a month off work for genuine severe neck pain and had nightmares about it for 6 or 7 months.
The person who hit me seemed on drugs but officially she "had dropped her sat nav in the passenger footwell and reached down to get it".
This is after tailgaiting me for a long time. Very close. Couldn't see her headlights, it was that close. Then she backed off and seemingly rammed me..
She received no punishment for her crime. It was dropped by the Police. They sent me a letter basically saying they are not taking any further action.
I was rear ended at high speed.
An ambulance was called. My car was a complete write off. The road was closed for 2 hours.
I had to take a month off work for genuine severe neck pain and had nightmares about it for 6 or 7 months.
The person who hit me seemed on drugs but officially she "had dropped her sat nav in the passenger footwell and reached down to get it".
This is after tailgaiting me for a long time. Very close. Couldn't see her headlights, it was that close. Then she backed off and seemingly rammed me..
She received no punishment for her crime. It was dropped by the Police. They sent me a letter basically saying they are not taking any further action.
ATV said:
I ran a red light whilst following Google Maps instructions in an unfamiliar area and t-boned a car at 30 mph. Both cars were written off. The ambulance was called and the driver spent a bit of time in there but ultimately was sent on his way with a friend. The police attended and I was breathalysed (nil reading). I have no previous points on my licence. I admitted I was at fault.
I received my Single Justice Procedure via post and plead guilty. Then later I received the Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification on the grounds of "the seriousness of the offence" and am due to attend magistrate's court at the end of the year.
If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd be grateful for any advice.
Steps I'm currently contemplating are:
- Taking an advanced driver's course to show I'm taking things seriously (could you advise on which company?)
- Getting affidavits from my 2 employees in the retail business I own to confirm they do not drive and that I am the only one who can deliver stock from the cash and carry.
- I'll wear a suit and tie, have a fresh haircut and shave, and look sufficiently apologetic during the proceedings.
- I'll instruct a solicitor to represent me.
Any other advice? Thanks
What is the offence you have been accused of?I received my Single Justice Procedure via post and plead guilty. Then later I received the Notice of Proposed Driving Disqualification on the grounds of "the seriousness of the offence" and am due to attend magistrate's court at the end of the year.
If anyone has been in a similar situation I'd be grateful for any advice.
Steps I'm currently contemplating are:
- Taking an advanced driver's course to show I'm taking things seriously (could you advise on which company?)
- Getting affidavits from my 2 employees in the retail business I own to confirm they do not drive and that I am the only one who can deliver stock from the cash and carry.
- I'll wear a suit and tie, have a fresh haircut and shave, and look sufficiently apologetic during the proceedings.
- I'll instruct a solicitor to represent me.
Any other advice? Thanks
320d is all you need said:
Confuses me plenty of time people make these mistakes and seem to get away with it.
OP has made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Most of us though make mistakes when noone is about or we get away with it.
I've certainly accidentally ran a red light before. It happens.
By any chance OP are you a youngish male of any ethnicity and do you have an even remotely interesting car?
I would suspect if it was a 45 year old woman in a Jazz they wouldn't get a summons.
.
I’m guessing you’re completely on the side of the guy who started the thread based on this comment, but then you post the below. WeirdOP has made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Most of us though make mistakes when noone is about or we get away with it.
I've certainly accidentally ran a red light before. It happens.
By any chance OP are you a youngish male of any ethnicity and do you have an even remotely interesting car?
I would suspect if it was a 45 year old woman in a Jazz they wouldn't get a summons.
.
Edited by 320d is all you need on Sunday 16th May 16:28
320d is all you need said:
I had an accident about 10 years ago.
I was rear ended at high speed.
An ambulance was called. My car was a complete write off. The road was closed for 2 hours.
I had to take a month off work for genuine severe neck pain and had nightmares about it for 6 or 7 months.
The person who hit me seemed on drugs but officially she "had dropped her sat nav in the passenger footwell and reached down to get it".
This is after tailgaiting me for a long time. Very close. Couldn't see her headlights, it was that close. Then she backed off and seemingly rammed me..
She received no punishment for her crime. It was dropped by the Police. They sent me a letter basically saying they are not taking any further action.
I was rear ended at high speed.
An ambulance was called. My car was a complete write off. The road was closed for 2 hours.
I had to take a month off work for genuine severe neck pain and had nightmares about it for 6 or 7 months.
The person who hit me seemed on drugs but officially she "had dropped her sat nav in the passenger footwell and reached down to get it".
This is after tailgaiting me for a long time. Very close. Couldn't see her headlights, it was that close. Then she backed off and seemingly rammed me..
She received no punishment for her crime. It was dropped by the Police. They sent me a letter basically saying they are not taking any further action.
I'm not on any side.
I'm just saying there doesn’t seem to be parity on these things
OP made a mistake. Caused a reasonably major accident.
No harmful or long term injuries
Gets summoned to court
The lady who crashed into me made a mistake. Caused a reasonably major accident
No harmful of long term injuries
Doesn't get so much as a drivers awareness course
I have read a lot of stories about these types of accidents in news articles over the years.
I have noticed, not always, but often, if the person who caused the crash is a younger male in a nice/sporty car they seem more likely to be prosecuted in some way than if it was a 60 year old lady in a boring shopping car.
I'm just saying there doesn’t seem to be parity on these things
OP made a mistake. Caused a reasonably major accident.
No harmful or long term injuries
Gets summoned to court
The lady who crashed into me made a mistake. Caused a reasonably major accident
No harmful of long term injuries
Doesn't get so much as a drivers awareness course
I have read a lot of stories about these types of accidents in news articles over the years.
I have noticed, not always, but often, if the person who caused the crash is a younger male in a nice/sporty car they seem more likely to be prosecuted in some way than if it was a 60 year old lady in a boring shopping car.
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