Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi, I obtained a conditional offer 3 points 100 fine for speeding. It was on the a20 sidcup and I considered appealing.

I choose not to appeal and accepted the 3 points and paid £100.

I returned the letter the next day. I believe it was within 28 days (possibly sent on 27th day as I was intending to appeal / obtaining evidence re signage not sufficient).

I received the form I completed with my licence details from hmcts to say it has been returned to me as it was not within the prescribed time and will receive a summons in due course.

I’m very stressed about this and worried as my job requires a clean DBS and no criminal convictions.

Am I correct receiving a conviction would result in a criminal conviction?

I really need some help.

Thank you for reading.

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately, my regulators are very strict and a criminal offence will be frowned upon.

;(

Do the magistrates have any discretion so that I can obtain a fixed penalty and not a criminal conviction?

Being found guilty or pleading guilty results in a criminal conviction.

It’s the SRA - I work in law.

It’s the SRA - I work in law.

So do I, albeit I’m not regulated by the SRA. Para 7.6 of the Code for Individuals says:

You notify the SRA promptly if:
you are subject to any criminal charge, conviction or caution, subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974;

The SRA won’t care (unless you don’t report it, when they very much will). If you’re a solicitor you should know this.

Have a read of this. Whilst a conviction for speeding is (on a reach) a breach of Principle 1, the SRA is not investigating and referring thousands of solicitors to the SDT for speeding.

Update:
Contacted the police who confirmed receipt of driving licence details…

I will be receiving a new conditional offer which will allow me to return to the fixed penalty stage.
Will also make payment of £100 as previous amount was refunded.
I am very close to 6 month period - though not sure whether the previous letter received last week informing me proceedings were being issued as I failed to provide driving licence within specified period would be valid and classed as proceedings commencing. Any ideas?

Although, I’m telling myself I should just be pleased I will not to obtain a conviction and stop looking for loopholes!