Free Traffic Legal Advice

Thanks for the useful discussion above.

I have a few more questions — mainly about whether I can raise the following points in my defence/mitigation at the hearing. I also have written proof to support each of these points below:

1. I have a history of co-operating in the past — for a previous speeding ticket I responded straight away and attended the speed awareness course.

2. Ongoing health issues in my family — my wife had an operation the same month.

3. Generally a clean driving history — apart from these two speeding matters, I have no other speeding offences in 12 years (since got the liscense).

4. I work full time as a doctor with a very busy schedule and often move house. I genuinely forgot to update my V5C after moving this time, I have learnt from this and will be careful in future .

Also, a couple of practical questions:

Can I actually read my written defence in court (rather than relying on memory, and talking), as for sure I’ll be quite nervous speaking?

Just to double check — once you’ve pleaded guilty to one offence, there’s no option to change that plea later, is there? Apologies if that’s a daft question, and apologies for my ignorance.

Thanks for the useful discussion above.

I have a few more questions — mainly about whether I can raise the following points in my defence/mitigation at the hearing. I also have written proof to support each of these points below:

1. I have a history of co-operating in the past — for a previous speeding ticket I responded straight away and attended the speed awareness course.

2. Ongoing health issues in my family — my wife had an operation the same month.

3. Generally a clean driving history — apart from these two speeding matters, I have no other speeding offences in 12 years (since got the liscense).

4. I work full time as a doctor with a very busy schedule and often move house. I genuinely forgot to update my V5C after moving this time, I have learnt from this and will be careful in future .

Also, a couple of practical questions:

Can I actually read my written defence in court (rather than relying on memory, and talking), as for sure I’ll be quite nervous speaking?

Just to double check — once you’ve pleaded guilty to one offence, there’s no option to change that plea later, is there? Apologies if that’s a daft question, and apologies for my ignorance.

1. Is no more than is expected of you.
2. Is irrelevant.
3. Is irrelevant: you're defending a "a fail to furnish", not a driving offence
4. Very poor excuse.

Of course a bench of magistrates may take a different view, but I doubt it.

So what should I say in the court?

It is my view that you do not have a viable defence to the FtP charge.

You need to concentrate on getting the prosecutor to drop that charge. It would be a fairly simple matter had you not already pleaded guilty to speeding. But you are where you are.

You need to engage with the prosecutor before you are called into court and try to negotiate as I suggested in my post on 30/9 at 4:02pm.

Yes, just turn up early and ask the Usher to direct you to the prosecutor.

Ushers are generally easy to identify because they are normally the only ones wearing robes.

If it is a large 'combined court' then you can always ask security to direct you to an Usher.

Good result. Thanks for letting us know.