opinion wanted
Author
Discussion

gonzales

Original Poster:

591 posts

242 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
Hi everyone,

Just looking for a more reasoned opinion. One of the girls I work with has 6 points on her licence for going through the same speed camera twice in a week at 47 and 49mph (40 limit). She was given a summons to attend court last month for going through a red light. To make matters worse she forgot to send the forms back within the 7 days summons period and only sent them back on the day before her court appearance and didn't turn up to court on tuesday. She claims she didn't go through the red light and is pleading not guilty when/if she goes to court.

Now will the courts take a dim view on her not turning up on the original date or let it slide? and what woudl you say she is likely to get when she goes to court?

Cheers

Dwight VanDriver

6,583 posts

275 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
The date for first appearance, with no prior indication of plea, may well have been one to establish her Plea and case could then be adjourned if NG.

If the Clerk was satisfied that the paperwork had been properley served a warrant for arrest could be asked for or case could go ahead despite no plea and verdict reached. I would think this would doubtful because of various factors that could effect the initial correct service.

Best make peace with the Clerk of the Justices (address on papers with summons)so that new date learnt and NG plea entered.

Best not ignore lawful process - do so at own peril.

Offence: Fail to conform to Traffic sign (red light).
Max fine: £1000 (rarely imposed), discretionary disqualification, 3 points.

dvd

Edited by Dwight VanDriver on Thursday 7th June 15:12

gonzales

Original Poster:

591 posts

242 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
Dwight VanDriver said:
Best not ignore lawful process - do so at own peril.
This is what I told her, she is one for putting her head in the sand though.

Cheers.

Slaav

4,375 posts

241 months

Thursday 7th June 2007
quotequote all
gonzales said:
Dwight VanDriver said:
Best not ignore lawful process - do so at own peril.
This is what I told her, she is one for putting her head in the sand though.

Cheers.
Common sense again??

Tell her to pop along to the court and explain how stupid she is and be very apologetic and reasonable. Try and get the clerk on her side and see if that can help with the non appearance. The one time I was ever in front of the beak, the clerk of the court behaved as if it was his own fiefdom. He effectively overuled the mag that was being very nice to me and I got done with increased points as a result of his intervention. Not someone to p1ss off!

Always worth a try? especially as your dim friend is scarily close to a ban. (may not be such a bad thing? smile)