Worth having a solicitor?

[woll]

Got a court date for my crash. Getting done for careless and not within terms of my licence.
The evidence they have for the careless charge is flawed in my mind, they say that two black bikes overtook them. There was one black and one red. He then says one of the riders had red boots on, neither of us have red boots. Mate has silver, mine are black sidis. He then rambles on and says he was at the crash site, knew it was one of us that overtook before cos i had red boots on when i was lay on the floor. There is a red logo on my boots but they are all black besides that, the speeds he claims we were doing i dont think he'd be able to see the sidi logo.
On that is it worth fighting the careless charge?
The solicitors i got recommended told me it would be £500 for representation in court. I had a letter of them with all theirs terms on, and it says £500 + VAT so it comes to £600. At the moment i see no point in fighting the careless charge because they will just turn round and say the boots had some red on them.
So is it worth me having a solicitor in court if i'm pleading guilty to both charges anyway? I really can't afford one with what im working + the fact i'll be getting a fine either way. I personally can't see any need for a solicitor if im just pleading guilty. What can they do for me if i do?
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Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[daemonoid]

Why are you pleading guilty if you think the evidence is flawed? I'd guess that fighting a simple charge like this has more reward than risk but a solicitor will be able to tell you.

In court a solicitor may help reduce the fine and will be able to tell you what is worthwhile evidence and what is not.

I've only had to use a solicitor once (outside of contract matters) and they were well worth the money.
____________________
current: ducati monster 750
past: hyosung gt250r, bajaj pulsar 180, hyosung gt 125 comet
@thomasgarrard | www.straitjkt.com | www.racingseven.com

[Rogerborg]

I'll stick my oar in, but you can get better advice from the member(s) who work in the magistrate courts.

T.C might be able to help, have you PM'd him?

[sickpup]

Can we see a picture of your boots please.

[Pete.]

EDITED
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[woll]

By they i mean the CPS. It's just the word of a witness and my crash.

Neither i don't remember, I just know my bike was black and my mates red. Not sure on what his v5c says though.

I have one pair of boots. And they are the only ones i ever wore i then bike. And the police handed them back to me. Not seen any pictures from the police. This is just what the witness has said.

Without my licence my business goes tits up and I go on the dole + the nearest bus stop is nigh on 2 miles away. Leaves me stuck in the house with nothing to do.

I was injured, missed the crash thread? (won worst crash of 2011 i'll have thee know)
____________________
Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[sickpup]

Can't see that picture Pete.

And what colour is your bike?

[woll]

[sickpup]

Do you wear trousers over the outside of your boots and if so what colour are they?

Again what colour is your bike?

[woll]

No trousers over the boots. I had black leather trousers on, with blue jeans underneath.
My bike was Black with some orange on (Hmplant rep) my mates bike is Red with some black
____________________
Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[Nexus Icon]

FWIW, I'd never describe those boots as red in a million years. If your mate's bike is as black as they are red I'd seriously consider challenging the witness statement.

I'm not sure I'd be pleading guilty either. Unless you put your hands up at the time of course.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[sickpup]

were you ever questioned under caution?

[woll]

Police man cautioned me when he gave me my gear back and asked what happened. I told him what i knew. Which is i dont remember anything. That's in the evidence that come with the court letter.
____________________
Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[sickpup]

[woll]

[sickpup]

So what gear did he give you?

Incidently this is like pulling teeth ie not much fun. You need to actually give some level of detail as we weren't there and you had the original thread pulled so we know next to nothing.

For instance, we don't know if your bike was examined or run up on a dyno. We don't know if you signed a statement, basically we know nothing.

As it stands it looks like you need to plead guilty to the license bit and not guilty to the careless bit as it would appear the chap is rather confused and not able to show that the bikes he allegedly saw driving badly were you and your friend but unless you can represent yourself confidently you need a solicitor.

[woll]

I got my helmet, gloves & jacket back of pc plod.
There was another thread made in the show n tell. I just had that removed so i didn't drop myself in any shit.
The bike was examined. There are pictures down the carbs to the valves showing no washers.
Only thing i signed was the release for my blood tests, which came back clear. I wasn't worried about that i hadn't had a drink since the 28th of june, and hadnt had a doob for a good 3 weeks.
____________________
Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[sickpup]

[D O G]

There is a short answer to your question.

Yes, you need a solicitor.

I think that you are falling into a trap. That trap is what the police try to use - lack of knowledge of the legal system, and the social niceties people normally adhere to when conducting their daily business with other normal people.

You are up against a legal system which knows what it is doing, and how to get what it wants. As Sickpup is pointing out tho, it would seem that they lack the critical evidence to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. Good legal representation should point out this fact to the magistrate, a million times better than you or I ever could.

Give yourself a chance, get a solicitor now.

[sickpup]

[daemonoid]

Sounds more and more like you need a solicitor, non of us can give legal advice. Next time and for anyone else in a similar situation there is one thing to learn: don't talk to the police - that's about the american justice system but the point is still valid in Europe.
____________________
current: ducati monster 750
past: hyosung gt250r, bajaj pulsar 180, hyosung gt 125 comet
@thomasgarrard | www.straitjkt.com | www.racingseven.com

[-LG-]

If you are found not guilty, do you still have to pay the fees, or do the courts pay them?
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Snow rider wrote: I'm far to annoying to be near for long periods of time

[iooi]

[Rogerborg]

[woll]