Off to Court

[potsy]

Doesn't sound a great deal for all that messing about does it?
Hope the fine was enough to make him think twice next time, and hopefully the huge increase in his insurance will hurt too

 

[Drago]

If your the defendant, it is generally accepted that you can lie through your teeth in court and not be punished. Perjury rules only apply to witnesses, not the accused him/herself.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Having not been on the other side of the fence, I don't know why it's the norm, but every driving case I've taken part in (which isn't that many tbh, probably about three or four) the driver has represented themselves and lost.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Only fair to say though that any motorist that claims never to have taken their eye of the ball is not being very honest. Also insurance companies can refuse liability if the insured admits liability .....this does not mean perjuring yourself though..
I speak from sad experience having been hit by a motorist who also killed my grandfather. I don't bear the motorist any malice....she has to live with her actions for the rest of her life too. She was not speeding or driving recklessly - she was just distracted by her young daughter. Anyone on here that drives should acknowledge that it may be them in court one day.

 

[Drago]

Having not been on the other side of the fence, I don't know why it's the norm, but every driving case I've taken part in (which isn't that many tbh, probably about three or four) the driver has represented themselves and lost.

Roger that Bro - it can be very entertaining indeed!

Anyone on here that drives should acknowledge that it may be them in court one day.

I'll have to buy a car before worrying much about that!

 

[CopperCyclist]

Roger that Bro - it can be very entertaining indeed!

Yes that's true. I remember a case of careless, when my evidence was that I'd seen the driver turn a corner through a junction infront of me in the wet, skidding slightly, before hitting speeds of about seventy in a thirty zone, without realising we were behind him in a police car with flashing lights! He only slowed and then spotted us when slowed by other traffic, at first we thought he was doing one!

The prosecutor asked me questions, during which I gave the above account. The clerk then invited the driver to ask his questions, to which he replied 'None thank you'. The clerk gently suggested he may have some questions for me, otherwise he was accepting that the account I had given was entirely accurate. He simply said, 'No that's fine, it is'.

Still to this day don't really know why he opted to plead not guilty!

 

[Drago]

I had a bloke assaulted me once. Represented himself. Claimed I was a liar (which got the beaks back straight up) cos he couldn't have possibly assaulted me as he is disabled, walks with a stick, blah blah.

Lunchtime recess, and at the time (about 6 or 7 years ago) I was still a smoker, was outside the court with a civvy jacket over my uniform having a craft Benson before going back in. While I'm enjoying myself in flavour country, mater the defendent came running past me at full pelt, presumably thinking he was going to be late, and presumably not recognising me out of uniform.

A quick word with the Clerk when I went back in, they reviewed the outside CCTV, and matey got an extra 28 days for contempt on top of the 8 moths for twotting me, so I was happy.

 

[fossyant]

I must say, the cross questioning he made was laughable, and completely made up. But, we all know about the system, and sometimes the poo doesn't stick.

3 points isnt much, but I recognised him recently driving a black cab, so this will cost him on the insurance.

 

[400bhp]

I must say, the cross questioning he made was laughable, and completely made up. But, we all know about the system, and sometimes the poo doesn't stick.

3 points isnt much, but I recognised him recently driving a black cab, so this will cost him on the insurance.

Unfortunately not necessarily. As far as I recall many won't use 3 points on the licence as a rating factor.

 

[fossyant]

Unfortunately not necessarily. As far as I recall many won't use 3 points on the licence as a rating factor.

Bugger, suppose it depends upon how many he may have already !

 

[compo]

If your the defendant, it is generally accepted that you can lie through your teeth in court and not be punished. Perjury rules only apply to witnesses, not the accused him/herself.

But if you lie to them on the side of the road, especially if you give them (the police I mean) a false identity, they nick you for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

 

[400bhp]

I'm struggling to understand why he got just 3 points?

You get that for doing 35 in a 30 FFS.

 

[dodd82]

To those asking why is isn't charged with perjury, it's because it's been decided beyond reasonable doubt that he is guilty... it's not been proven that he was lying, and I think there might be a difference?

 

[400bhp]

To those asking why is isn't charged with perjury, it's because it's been decided beyond reasonable doubt that he is guilty... it's not been proven that he was lying, and I think there might be a difference?

Read Drago's comment.

 

[dodd82]

Read Drago's comment.

I did - clearly that represents proof that he was lying, does it not?

A different type of case.