Havent paid my speeding fine, what now?

Jenniferellis

Hi
I am going out of my mind with worry and I'm wondering if anyone knows what is likely to happen next. I got caught speeding back in October in my ex boyfriends car. I was going 70 on a restricted part of the motorway but wasn't aware of this at the time. They sent a letter to my ex notifying him (as its his car) he sent back the form saying he was not the driver and gave my details, I then sent back the form saying it was me and I accept I was at fault.

Me and my ex broke up in November and I moved out of his house (that he owns) into my parents along with our one year old son. Shortly before we split I found out I was pregnant and had a lot on my mind. He never asked to see our son and I didn't want to go round either so I never went to his house. I went to his house two days ago because he finally asked to see his son. I picked up my post and found the letter asking me to pay the fine with in 28 days, from the date on the letter it has now been 40 days but have had no other contact from them.

I do not know what to do, I understand I'm at fault for forgetting to check the post but I had a lot on my mind. I will have means to pay the £100 fine by next Tuesday which is when my child tax credit gets paid. However, I read on the form that if its not paid with in the time frame I will be taken to court and fined up to £1000!

I haven't got £1000, I can just about afford the £100. I am a full time university student which wasn't so bad when I was with my ex as he was working full time bringing back a good wage. He isn't paying me child support (another story) so doubt he would be willing to help me out if I was fined £1000.

Are they likely to be sympathetic to my situation? Is it likely they will accept the £100 fine now if I called them on Tuesday? And if not will it really rise to £1000 because I am just unable to pay that.

McKneff

Ring them and ask them. Only they cagive a definite answer. Good luck

HappyMJ

The offer of a penalty has probably expired by now and you may be taken to court.

Although it says you will be fined up to £1,000 typically the fine is set based on your income so you will probably end up with a fine equivalent to the penalty you had in the first place. It won't be £1,000 unless you earn in excess of £1,000 per week and being on tax credit I doubt that.

It's likely they'll accept your payment if you call them and explain your situation so it's worth calling.

If you do go to court you'll have court costs to pay for as well. You can represent yourself. It's not that serious a case so you won't need a solicitor but you can hire one if you wish but that will cost you money which you can ill afford anyway.

McKneff

Good post Happymj. I hope its gone along way to stop the Op worrying so much

beamerguy

Jenniferellis wrote: »

Hi
I am going out of my mind with worry and I'm wondering if anyone knows what is likely to happen next. I got caught speeding back in October in my ex boyfriends car. I was going 70 on a restricted part of the motorway but wasn't aware of this at the time. They sent a letter to my ex notifying him (as its his car) he sent back the form saying he was not the driver and gave my details, I then sent back the form saying it was me and I accept I was at fault.

Me and my ex broke up in November and I moved out of his house (that he owns) into my parents along with our one year old son. Shortly before we split I found out I was pregnant and had a lot on my mind. He never asked to see our son and I didn't want to go round either so I never went to his house. I went to his house two days ago because he finally asked to see his son. I picked up my post and found the letter asking me to pay the fine with in 28 days, from the date on the letter it has now been 40 days but have had no other contact from them.

I do not know what to do, I understand I'm at fault for forgetting to check the post but I had a lot on my mind. I will have means to pay the £100 fine by next Tuesday which is when my child tax credit gets paid. However, I read on the form that if its not paid with in the time frame I will be taken to court and fined up to £1000!

I haven't got £1000, I can just about afford the £100. I am a full time university student which wasn't so bad when I was with my ex as he was working full time bringing back a good wage. He isn't paying me child support (another story) so doubt he would be willing to help me out if I was fined £1000.

Are they likely to be sympathetic to my situation? Is it likely they will accept the £100 fine now if I called them on Tuesday? And if not will it really rise to £1000 because I am just unable to pay that.

Whilst this is not the correct forum for speeding, best advice is for you to contact them now with the same story.

The £1000 is something a court could order but as it will be a magistrates court, the judges will listen to you. you are over half way there by admitting the offence so do your lady charm

When I go into these average speed check cameras on motorways, I stick to 40 on the inside lane as I do trust the cameras. My Beamer hates it but but its not the beamer who pays the fine

good luck

The_Slithy_Tove

What you had was a "Conditional Offer for a Fixed Penalty", meaning that they won't prosecute on the condition that you fulfil certain activities. As you haven't done that (i.e. paid), the condition fails and it'll proceed to the courts, just like it did in the old days. When you get the summons (make sure you are in a position to receive it, and it won't go missing), you can plead guilty by post, so don't even need to go to the court.

You may wish to, though, where you can plead guilty, and ask that the penalty is the same as the COFP (above), and explain the reasons why you were unable to take up the COFP. They can do this if they want. Otherwise, the costs will be a bit more, as there are court costs and victim surcharges to pay, which bump up the cost.

You may want to post your story to Pepipoo's Speeding and other Criminal Offences forum, where the experts in this process can be found.