Contesting a Parking Offence - Help!
Discussion
I parked in a disabled bay in a busy High Street on 22nd Feb this year for 5 minutes (isn't it always!) whilst taking my days orders to the post office (I work from home). Of course, I got a ticket. How annoying! It was also 20 minutes before the parking restrictions finished for the day but 5 minutes before the sodding Post Office closed and I had loads of urgent parcels - but that's by the by.
Anyway! I first contested the ticket - I was absolutely sure I had parked in a loading bay, I'm new to the area and these bays are peppered all around this street, but obviously Mr Policeman says it was disabled - fair enough. Now, four months after the offence and having changed addresses (I was lucky to pick up the summons in time!) I've had a court summons through the post and I want to just plead guilty and pay the fine but all the info with the summons is really confusing.
There's a financial statement, a statement of mitigation, a costs application & a letter from the local police about a statement from an officer.
Can anyone here shed a bit of light on what I need to do in order to settle this?
Anyway! I first contested the ticket - I was absolutely sure I had parked in a loading bay, I'm new to the area and these bays are peppered all around this street, but obviously Mr Policeman says it was disabled - fair enough. Now, four months after the offence and having changed addresses (I was lucky to pick up the summons in time!) I've had a court summons through the post and I want to just plead guilty and pay the fine but all the info with the summons is really confusing.
There's a financial statement, a statement of mitigation, a costs application & a letter from the local police about a statement from an officer.
Can anyone here shed a bit of light on what I need to do in order to settle this?
Having been reported by Police and not a LA Parking attendant then you go to Court by way of Summons.
Parking in a disabled Bay IIRC, unless they have changed the rules, does not attract points and therefore a Courts power to consider discretionary disqualification so attendance at Court not strictly required unless for a reason unknown to me they want you appearance.
So, read carefully through the bumpf that was sent and it could well be that there is information on how to plead "Guilty" to the offence by letter and therefore not attend Court. You may have missed this throught the trauma of receiving the summons.
If there is no information on this then have a words with the Magistrates Court Office that sent the summons out to confirm whether or not your presence is required and WHY or if you can plead Guilty by letter.
The bits on finanacial matters is to see what you are worth and give the Bench some idea how much to fine you. Don't fiddle the fiqures as that is an offence if they find out.
If the offence is other than parking them come back with what is stated on the summons.
Try being a bit more careful in future where you park. It just aint worth it taking a chance.
dvd
Parking in a disabled Bay IIRC, unless they have changed the rules, does not attract points and therefore a Courts power to consider discretionary disqualification so attendance at Court not strictly required unless for a reason unknown to me they want you appearance.
So, read carefully through the bumpf that was sent and it could well be that there is information on how to plead "Guilty" to the offence by letter and therefore not attend Court. You may have missed this throught the trauma of receiving the summons.
If there is no information on this then have a words with the Magistrates Court Office that sent the summons out to confirm whether or not your presence is required and WHY or if you can plead Guilty by letter.
The bits on finanacial matters is to see what you are worth and give the Bench some idea how much to fine you. Don't fiddle the fiqures as that is an offence if they find out.
If the offence is other than parking them come back with what is stated on the summons.
Try being a bit more careful in future where you park. It just aint worth it taking a chance.
dvd
Thanks for your help. I've given them a call to check which bits need filling in, filled them in, admitted the offence/pleaded guilty and hope that the fine isn't too much. There's £35.00 court costs which I expected & the court date is the 25th July so a few more weeks to wait for the verdict. Fingers crossed.
Hannah.
Hannah.
Is there not any scope to say that you missed the last letter detailing that your penalty would stand and offer to pay the FPN instead of it going to court? I'm guessing it might be too late, but it's worth a shot as a trip to court (even in abstentia) will probably cost you a few quid.
tigger1 said:
Is there not any scope to say that you missed the last letter detailing that your penalty would stand and offer to pay the FPN instead of it going to court? I'm guessing it might be too late, but it's worth a shot as a trip to court (even in abstentia) will probably cost you a few quid.
I did ask this but the girl at the court said it was too late.
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