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What you get is 'A Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty' (COFP). In other words, the offer says that evidence exists which indicates you are guilty of an offence and that if payment of £xx pounds is received and, where applicable, your licence is submitted for application of points, then no further action will be taken. You can choose to ignore this offer, if you choose, and a summons will eventually be issued for you to appear in court to answer the charge. Until you appear you are presumed innocent and no monies will be demanded or your licence effected in any way.
Remember, under the UK Bill-of-Rights, no fine is legal without a trial. A COFP is not a 'fine', it is an offer which you may accept or reject. You are always entitled to have the matter tried at court. If you know you are guilty and that evidence exists which will convict you, then you are losing nothing by paying the COFP.
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