Safe Speed Forums

I have a court date for my speeding offence.
It's on a monday.
It's in Penrith.
I live and work south of London.
It's a long long journey by car or train and would probably involve a hotel stop (which being a bit skint I'd also rather not have to pay for) so that I can get there for the morning start time.

I have just changed jobs and really cant afford to take a day's holiday to attend so I was considering submitting the written statement. Does attendance/non attendance affect what the court is likely to give (this is my first offence and I have no points)? Any tips for what to say/what not to say on statement also welcome. Thanks v much!

Just a thought - and can any one advise if it's possible to get this moved to a local court on the grounds that the defendant would be denied proper epresentation (etc) if the case was held any distance from his/her local area ( and possibly look for courts that are more lenient )

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on

If you plead not guilty you will get a new date. The first date is a 'clearing' day that only deals with guilty pleas.

Also if you plead not guilty, I presume that you will want to attend or be represented to present your case.

On the other hand, if you are pleading guilty, then a statement of mitigation sent to the court may be all that is required, especially cosidering the travel time and expense. Even if they fined you £200 more, I guess you would be better off 'cos a trip to Penrith would surely cost you £200 in total (and that's not including any loss of earnings).

But I'd plead not guilty. We shall never surrender!

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Paul Smith
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