Pleading guilty

[Jayy]

So, I've had my summons through about my speeding case, 29th July. It says I can either plead guilty by post or in person. For anyone not aware, it was 61 in a 30 so it's not just going to be a 3 pointer and £60 fine. More than likely looking at a short ban, if not longer, who knows.

Few people have said, "Plead guilty by post, they don't like having their time wasted in court for speeding matters when they have more serious shit to deal with".

Few other people have said, "Goto court in person, it looks better and they like the fact you've showed up and make an effort (suited an booted)".

What do I do?

[Carl_steveo]

Either way they are going to do you. I would turn up and plead insanity. Say you were actually reversing at -61mph. So therefore you want them to remove three points from your license and give you £300 in court costs.
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Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[iooi]

[27cows]

I'd turn up in person and admit to riding in an unacceptable manner. Tell the magistrates you are an experienced rider and should be aware of the dangers of speeding...offer no excuses. Apologise for your scandalous disregard of the law.

I very much doubt they'd give you worse than you'd get if you pleaded guilty by post, and they might just be impressed by you having the balls to go there and hold your hands up in person. 61 in a 30 - could get away with a 28 dayer, maybe even no ban at all. But it may also depend on where you did that speed (busy street near a school would get you flayed - but a quiet road on the outskirts of town might lead to them being lenient).
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Ariel Badger]

Take a friend with you who can act a a character witness. They should be professional and a person of standing and may even bring some props along with them to help your case.
I suggest Paul Gascoin with some beers and a fishing rod.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Mister James]

Definitely turn up - despite what some say, it can't hurt as long as you are well presented and appear respectful and decent.

Magistrates are used to dealing with slag (and ugly coppers!) all day long; a polite, well-dressed and remorseful citizen who gives them a chance to prove how compassionate and understanding they are is like a gift from heaven for them.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[G]

I turned up to court for a CU30. Suit etc, five hour journey to get there. They made me wait all day then gave me a VERY heavy fine for what it was. Do wonder if it was because of making more hassle for them.

[Blue_SV650S]

I'd plead guilty by post .. you are going to get stung, why waste any more of your time/money?
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[Carl_steveo]

[Jayy]

Problem is, I look like a thug as a few people have said, I fear turning up in court with a skin head in a suit might not help my case haha.

On the forms, you can write out your mitigating circumstances which will be read out if you plead by post.

This is the dilemma, turn up and possibly make it worse by saying something stupid (I have a habbit of blurting out the wrong words and putting my foot in it) or plead by post and hope what I've written makes an impact.

The court is only down the road from me, and it says my case is at 9.45am so it could be an in/out job if I went.

[leenit]

[Ste]

[Carl_steveo]

I know what you mean about the skinhead wearing a suit thing. If I wear one for a wedding or a christening I always look like I'm on my way to court. I look like a posh thug.
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Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[Misc]

Jay, wasn't you going to use that guide for speeding you posted a few weeks back, or is it too late for that?

[Jayy]

That speeding document is for if you're pleading not guilty and defending yourself, giving you all points to challenge the police about.

I could let my hair grow a little, got just under 3 weeks. I could wear a blond wig and pretend I'm a tranny?

[2wheelsteve]

In person because if you plead by post your certain for a ban, good luck cause you'll need it

[waffles]

[Jayy]

Fuck it, i'll do it by post, why waste their time and mine when they're going to fuck me with my pants on anyway?

[Mister James]

Cissy!

[Jayy]

I might look like a neo nazi skin head but I'm an articulate speaker. I don't see the point in turning up, what can I possibly say that I can't write down that has to be read out?

[Mister James]

As others have pointed out, showing up shows a bit of effort. Shouldn't matter, but it probably would.

I guess it depends on how much you care about the points! If it were me, I'd be doing everything I could think of to mitigate the punishment.

Turning up can't do any harm, and it might do some good. I'd go for it.

As I've said, I spend days in court every month, and most slag that turn up are cooooooonts. If you turn up looking decent and remorseful, you might be able to turn the bench in your favour.

Gotta be worth a go?
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[G]

[Mister James]

Reckon that's likely to be an every day thing?

I'd be minded to play the percentages...

Magistrates are often loonies though, I'll concede that!
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[G]

I don't know.

I do know the cop in question obviously had it in for me, so it's possible he influenced the outcome too.

It was definitely a significant waste of my time and money.

If I thought it would save me points, I'd do it. If we're talking a lower fine, I'd have to not have anything else to do that day already.

[dodgydog]