How long should summons take?

How long should summons take?

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Popester

Original Poster:

36 posts

282 months

Thursday 27th December 2001
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I was stopped my a mobile radar trap in early August doing 66 in a 40 - dual carriageway, clear road etc etc. PC was delighted to have netted a TVR - smug b*&^er and gave me a hard time - breathalyser, even though it was lunchtime and I had not been drinking !

The PC told me that I would be reported and summonsed for speeding and gave a me a slip of paper to produce docs. He said I should expect a summons in 6-8 weeks. Took docs to local station following day - they noted details and retained the slip of paper. I queried this and they said that was it, which surpised me but I wasn't going to argue.

I have not heard anything since - is there a time limit by which a summons has to be issued. Was this guy just trying to put the wind up me - certainly worked, I have been driving around like an old man since.

macca

508 posts

286 months

Thursday 27th December 2001
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My understanding is that you should just get 3 points and a fine. Had you been doing 71 then you would be looking at a summons.

marky

14 posts

275 months

Friday 28th December 2001
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there are two time limits here

1) they have two weeks to give you a notice intended prosecution (NIP) from what you say this was done verbally on the spot.

2) they have 6 months to issue you with a summons if you get one after this get take legal advice.

regardging the issue at the police station, I think them saying "thats it" only refers to the doco producer, ie they will not be prosecuting you for failure to produce insurance D/L etc.

If you do get a summons (in six months) you should not need to go to court if you wish to plead guilty, unless you have a good reason not to I would take this option, you can attach mitigating circs to the guilty plea. It may be worth pointing out the road type/ condtions etc, but you realise it is up to you to assertain and ovserve limits and you will be more diligent in this in the future. You still get 3 points but I might help your bank balance (I got away with 60 quid for 91 in a 40 some years ago).

I am not a legal expert so dont take this all as gospel

nonegreen

7,803 posts

277 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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The NIP was delivered verbally when you were informed you would be reported for speeding.

hertsbiker

6,371 posts

278 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2002
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by the way, if you DO have mitigating circumstances, you would be mad NOT to take it to court.

If you mitigate by post, it looks like you're guilty, so will attract a guilty verdict.

On the other hand, if you have nothing to say, then take whatever they offer. Court is scary sometimes.

C