Failure to respond to speeding fixed penalty offer

FelinePrincess

Hi,

I wonder if someone can please tell me, will failure to respond to an fixed penalty offer for speeding result in a criminal record? I have searched online but can't seem to find a clear answer anywhere

Thanks in advance!

marleyboy

You are legally entitled to appeal it, but would strongly urge you dont just ignore it for a number of reasons....

Failure to pay a parking ticket can raise the cost of the ticket. The court can increase the amount of money you owe, so, the longer you take to pay, the more you'll wind up paying.
Charges

Failure to pay a speeding ticket could result in misdemeanor criminal charges being levied against you. The charges could be anything from a failure to pay a citation, or even a contempt of court. These charges will also bring about an additional fee to the fee of your ticket.
Arrest Warrant

If you are charged with misdemeanor charges, for not paying your ticket, the court is entitled to issue a warrant for your arrest. A judge will sentence you, and sentencing can include jail time, but is generally just community service hours.
Discontinued Registration

Failure to pay your speeding ticket could result in a lapsed registration. Invalid vehicle registration makes it illegal for you to drive your car, and could result in greater fines, and having your vehicle impounded, should you continue to drive anyway.
Impound

If you are pulled over with an unpaid speeding ticket on your record, the officer has a right to impound your vehicle. You will be left with a fine, a fee to rescue your car, and the original speeding ticket fine.

http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_5043302_happens-dont-pay-speeding-ticket.html

FelinePrincess

Sadly it's too late for that, believe it or not I actually never received the fixed penalty offer and have received a letter saying it is now being referred to the magistrates court

FelinePrincess

I'm terrified incase this means a criminal record

sarahg1969

OP, it's not clear what you've not received. Did you ever receive a NIP? Did you respond to it?

If you to to http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showforum=5 with full details of exactly what you've received and when, someone will be along to advise you.

weeowens

marleyboy wrote: »

You are legally entitled to appeal it, but would strongly urge you dont just ignore it for a number of reasons....

http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_5043302_happens-dont-pay-speeding-ticket.html

Just be aware that the above is in relation to the USA.

I'm not 100% re UK laws but quite a bit of the above is not applicable here ie
"If you are pulled over with an unpaid speeding ticket on your record, the officer has a right to impound your vehicle. You will be left with a fine, a fee to rescue your car, and the original speeding ticket fine"

etc

FelinePrincess

I received and responded to the initial letter where I had to give details of who was driving (me), but I didn't receive, and therefore didn't respond to the offer of a fixed penalty notice

sarahg1969

Maybe a fixed penalty wasn't offered. It doesn't have to be - they can opt to issue a summons instead. Do you already have points? How long have you had your licence? What was the speed limit and what was your speed?
When did the alleged offence take place and when did you receive the NIP? What is the offence that you have been charged with? Speeding, failing to furnish or something else?

Pepipoo is your best bet.

agrinnall

You should be aware that accepting a fixed penalty still gives you a criminal record that you will need to disclose in some circumstances.

DCFC79

FelinePrincess wrote: »

I received and responded to the initial letter where I had to give details of who was driving (me), but I didn't receive, and therefore didn't respond to the offer of a fixed penalty notice

I wasnt sent a FPN, i was sent the documents asking me to say who was driving etc and sent them back and had the summons back telling mw when to go to court.

TadleyBaggie

What was the speed and the limit? For example for 50 and above in a 30 it will almost certainly go straight to a summons. As long as you named the driver (i.e. yourself) then a simple speeding offence is nothing to get worked up about, it's not going to affect you apart from a possible increase in insurance premiums for the net few years.