Got to say a big thank you for the advice I received when I first started panicing about being caught doing 80mph in a 50mph. I was pushed in the right direction by the guys and it helped me take control of the situation. Below is the sequence of events:

I was caught by a mobile van on the A1 at Sandy in Beds on a stretch of Dual Carriageway that is reduced to 50mph. I was doing 80mph which was obviously a big problem with me doing 40k a year with my job.

I received the NIP within 14 days and naturally they didnt offer a fixed Penalty 3 points and offered me a day in Bedford Magistrates as an alternative. As attractive as this seemed I instructed Robert Dobson at Pryce Woodrow to act for me. I met with him and explained that I would like to admit the offence but plead that due to having Crohns Disease I needed the toilet urgently and as there was a service station further up the road this backed up my claim.

We applied for a Special Reasons hearing which was accepted by the CPS as they wouldnt accept my explanation and negotiate a fixed penalty. I then appeared in court with my Barrister who assured me I wouldnt be put on the stand unless things were going badly. 20 seconds into the hearing.....I was on the stand pleading my case. (You may see me in Hollywood soon)

30 minutes later the jury accepted my special reasons and the CPS offered no protests or additional fight.

The Jury gave me no points but fined me $435 inc costs. Pryce Woodrow charged about £800. It wasnt a cheap day out but it saved me a certain ban.........Oh Joy!!!

If I hadnt had the special Reasons plea and a good lawyer I would have been in it big time. I would therefore recommend employing someone who knows the law regardess of cost.

If its good enough for Alex Ferguson then its good enough for someone else at least!

result.

Jury ?

I think you'll find it's a non-experienced members description of the magistrates themselves  :wink:

Jury, magistrates...whatever they were!!!

There were 3 of them and they found special reasons in my favour!!

I am happy to call them anything they so desire!

The correct tile, which should adopted by all naughty boyz & girlz, is: “your learned worships”.

Mike wrote:
You're havin a laugh!

How about three wise monkeys?

Now I know why they didn't like me I forgot the correct term!


Where did the 'wise' come from?  

I did however get the stare from 'The FA Cup' at a case I attended on Friday!

But to happychappie I would suggest the term should be 'very learned, just and fair experts in law'
Well done  :D


Regards

When i've been sat at the back of a few trials recently, the CPS always refer to them as Sir or Madame.

Good result, I suppose if people are faced with a ban and maybe loosing their jobs then that level of cost is acceptable  :cry:

Every day's a school day!

I was under the impression that they were "worships" perhaps by virtue of being seated higher up then the rest of the mere mortals present , but that they were not "learned" due to their non-professional status, this epithet being reserved for those who have received some type of formal legal education.

Or is it simply the case that flattery gets you everywhere?

At the end of the day, I suppose they would hardly be likely to complain about having such a title falsely bestowed, would they? ...

[Mr. Toad, from Dock]"If it pleases your learned worship..."
[LW]"One moment. I am indeed to be worshipped, but alas I am not learned"
[T]"It is indeed as you say..."
pauses
[T]"...your worship"

I did not address my Magistrates or any other member of the court staff with any form of title. I just answered the questions with a please and thank you where applicable..  :wink:

IIRC, the Practice Direction states that the chairman of the bench should be addressed as sir/madam, and the bench collectively as your worships

A District Judge sitting in a Magistrates Court is addressed as sir/madam.

Bob

Bob_Sprocket wrote:
Thanks Phil, I have got one of them coming up, maybe.

Some of the ones I have seen have been that old that addressing them "sir or madam" would be necessary as you couldn't tell the sex even by the moustache