Author Topic: SJPN Received. Not previously received any communication  (Read 788 times)

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SJPN Received. Not previously received any communication
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Hi, to my surprise I received an SJPN in the post with 1 offence listed on the charge sheet:
1. “Fail to give information relating to the identification of the driver / rider of a vehicle when required."

Context / Background:
In the mail, they’ve also included evidence of the NIP letter from November 2024, and the final reminder on 23rd December 2024. The original NIP was for the following: “Drive on road other than motorway, fail comply with red / green arrow / lane closure light signals - automatic equipment”. (I  clumsily ran a red light by 1.7 secs).

I remember the original offence, expected something in the post but genuinely didn’t receive anything. I maybe rather naively assumed I had gotten away with it and got on with life. I live alone, work from home, open all my letters and I’m the type of person that would have addressed this immediately. My address is correct on all documents / licence and my V5C. I am aware that I cannot prove I didn’t receive anything previous, I can only say I genuinely did not. I've currently got 3 points on my licence so this isn't ideal at all.

Can anyone offer any advice? I have read through this forum and seen similar cases to mine with the following advice:

“Respond to the SJPN (note it is a Single Justice (not "Joint") Procedure Notice) by pleading not guilty to both offences. In the "reasons for pleading not guilty" section say you are willing to plead guilty to the speeding offence on the condition that the "failure to provide driver's details" charge is dropped. This is a common procedure which is well known to all court users (magistrates, their legal advisors and lawyers).”



I am thinking this is exactly what I should do but I’ve noticed in other people’s cases they are charged with two offences separately on their SJPN whilst I seem to be only charged with one? Does this change anything? Does the advice above still apply to me or am I missing something / being dim.

Thanks in advance.
« Last Edit: June 17, 2025, 04:59:48 pm by g_legend »

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Re: SJPN Received. Not previously received any communication
« Reply #1 on: »
Quote
Does this change anything?

Yes it does.

You cannot offer to plead guilty to something with which you have not been charged.

You have an additional problem in that the red light offence “times out” on 23rd June. The police cannot raise a charge for the offence beyond that date.

So unless you can persuade the prosecutor to raise an “out-of-time” charge and the court to agree to it (which is very unlikely since to do so is unlawful) you are stuck with defending the “Fail to Provide” charge. And that won’t be easy.

You might try contacting the police, explaining the situation and ask them why you have not been charged with both offences (which seems to be usual). You might persuade them to raise the red light charge before 23rd June (which is next Monday). I'm not sure whether that is likely to work but it's the only thing I can think of.

Re: SJPN Received. Not previously received any communication
« Reply #2 on: »
Thanks for this.

This is really frustrating. I'm at a loss as to why they would only charge me for the one offence and not list it on the charge sheet.

I am going to proceed with the following:
1. Submit my SJPN response online and plead Not Guilty.
2. Explain non-receipt honestly and briefly.
3. Send an email to the police/CPS asking if they can raise the red light offence before the 6-month time limit - there is no email provided on any of the documentation provided - only a PO Box for me to write to. Can anyone possibly assist with this or would I just have to write to the PO Box / go to my nearest police station and hope to receive a response.
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Re: SJPN Received. Not previously received any communication
« Reply #3 on: »
Might be a first if you go to the Nick and beg to be charged with something!    ::)

Re: SJPN Received. Not previously received any communication
« Reply #4 on: »
Haha  ;D fair play. Even in my sorry situation at can I least find that funny. I will write to them and send it via Royal Mail Special Delivery first thing tomorrow morning and hope for the best.