Police court notice over speeding fine which I paid

dilby

I had a speeding fine in July of this year and I followed the instructions; admitted guilt and declined speed awareness course via post, then paid the fine online within the time. I have receipt of this. However I have just received a 'Single Justice Procedure Notice' regarding the speeding offence. I called the helpline and was told by the lady there that for some reason the payment was rejected (even though I have an email receipt and screen capture saying it was successful) and refunded to me and therefore a fine still owing. After doing as search I have found the email saying the payment was refused, but it went to my spam as the subject line is garbled with reference code and the email body provides no outline as to why this happened or what I need to do next. They told me that I need to write my plea (which can be done online) and to hope the additional fine isn't too large!

I find this all extremely frustrating, but was wondering if there is anything particular I should be doing within this plea to ensure the best outcome as I can't fine anything online that pertains to my situation.

Thanks

Car_54

What has almost certainly happened is that, when paying the penalty, you failed to pprovide your licence details.

Whatever, that's water under the bridge and you need to deal with the SJPN. In the 'mitigating circumstances' section you can ask the magistrates to fine you at the fixed penalty level, since the FP wasn't taken up due to circumstances unconnected with the offence.

mdann52

Car_54 said:

 since the FP wasn't taken up due to circumstances unconnected with the offence.

Unfortunately, the guidelines also say circumstances out of the defendants control, which is not the case here.

OP - did you post off the slip that was sent with the Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, asking for your licence details and signiture?

Car_54

mdann52 said:

Car_54 said:

 since the FP wasn't taken up due to circumstances unconnected with the offence.

Unfortunately, the guidelines also say circumstances out of the defendants control, which is not the case here.

OP - did you post off the slip that was sent with the Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, asking for your licence details and signiture?

The guidance actually says "... reasons unconnected with the offence itself, such as administrative difficulties outside the control of the offender ... "

The words "such as" indicate an example, and do not exclude other circumstances.

dilby

mdann52 said:

Car_54 said:

 since the FP wasn't taken up due to circumstances unconnected with the offence.

Unfortunately, the guidelines also say circumstances out of the defendants control, which is not the case here.

OP - did you post off the slip that was sent with the Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty, asking for your licence details and signiture?

Yes I did, I posted it in the mailbox behind my house but didn't send it recorded so I have no way of proving it

Keep_pedalling

You on earth did you take the points rather than the course? 

mr_stripey

I suppose a bit of due diligence would have spotted that the money hadn't left your bank, or it did and was refunded. Either way, this should have alerted that it wasn't paid. Easy to miss though I guess

giraffe69

"The guidance actually says "... reasons unconnected with the offence itself, such as administrative difficulties outside the control of the offender ... "

not sure failing to check spam meets the criterion of administrative difficulties!

Car_54

giraffe69 said:

"The guidance actually says "... reasons unconnected with the offence itself, such as administrative difficulties outside the control of the offender ... "

not sure failing to check spam meets the criterion of administrative difficulties!

But it's not a criterion: it's an example.

dilby

Keep_pedalling said:

You on earth did you take the points rather than the course? 

Because my time is more valuable - I work to a day rate so to take time off to do a course doesn't make financial sense.

Keep_pedalling

dilby said:

Keep_pedalling said:

You on earth did you take the points rather than the course? 

Because my time is more valuable - I work to a day rate so to take time off to do a course doesn't make financial sense.

You can do them on line, and court costs and a possible increase in your insurance premiums is going to work be expensive option now.