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Original poster

Failed to appear in court - warrant issued now what...

66 replies

Goingtojail · 21/03/2017 01:20

I've done something g really silly. I was caught speeding a while ago. Didn't have the money for the fine st the time so I put the ticket to one side meaning g to deal with it at payday. I lost the ticket and forgot.

Now it appears I should have been in court and so a warrant has been issued. The police have phoned to say that I have to go to the station and be locked up in the cells overnight to appear in court the next day.

Anyone know what's likely to happen to me? I have no other convictions - no prior experience of dealing with the criminal justice system,

Frankly I'm terrified. I know I've been stupid and must have thrown letters away without opening them, because I genuinely had no idea I was supposed to be in court. The original fine was £100 and 3 points.

I'm so scared.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goingtojail · 21/03/2017 17:54

I've to go before but close to 10pm for the paperwork to be processed.

DH has managed to sort out meetings to do the school run.

Get it over with tonight. Still can't believe this is happening.

OP posts:
Thingywhatsit · 21/03/2017 18:39

You will be ok , it is only one night and the custody staff will look after you . I don't know how things are different in Scotland compared to England but I very much doubt you will be able to take a book in with you. When you are processed you will be searched, your pockets emptied and all Jewelry removed including watches , so probably best to leave your rings etc at home. Belts, drawstrings from tracksuit hoods/bottoms also have to be removed. They will then take you to your room for the night, and you will have to take off your shoes. Ask for an extra blanket and then put one underneath you and one over you. The blankets are actually usually ok- specially if they are the newer design. Then just try and get some sleep - time will go quicker then.

I don't tell you this to scare you - it will be unfamiliar but hopefully not scary. Most custody officers I have met are usually generally decent folk and have compassion.

Try have a decent meal tonight and maybe take some kalms or something before you present yourself, might make it easier to sleep

Hugs xxx

iwantavuvezela · 21/03/2017 18:52

Good luck for tonight OP.

HiMyNameIsUnknown · 21/03/2017 19:01

No advice but good luck. Have a good dinner before you go in so you hopefully won't be hungry

fourpawswhite · 21/03/2017 19:05

If you are appearing from custody in Scotland you will be covered automatically by the duty solicitor scheme. Ask for duty so they can explain. The fact you have spent a night in custody will be taken into account and you shouldn't get much more than the fixed penalty. Police being a bit heavy. I have seen people just rock up at court at get dealt with.

BIWI · 21/03/2017 19:08

I'm sorry for you - this sounds like it's going to be an awful experience.

But perhaps this will now encourage you to take responsibility for things that happen to you? Not opening post or throwing post away without opening it is a really silly thing to do. What on earth else will you have thrown away?

Stoneagemum · 21/03/2017 19:13

Wear warm socks, shoes that are easy to take off and clothes with no draw strings. Take your phone fully charged, purse keys and a book. They will take you phone purse and keys off you for safe keeping but give them back to you later. You should be able to keep the book as you are cooperating.

Hiphopopotamus · 21/03/2017 19:14

Oh bless your heart. I understand the post thing completely. I have severe depression and anxiety and opening my post is really really difficult. I could easily be in the situation you are in. If you haven't experienced it you can't understand the fear an envelope can hold. Well done for facing it. You're being incredibly brave.

expatinscotland · 21/03/2017 19:23

Good luck, OP!

BIWI · 21/03/2017 19:27

I'd just like to say that, yes, I know the fear that an unopened envelope can engender. But not opening it only leads to a worse outcome. As the OP has proved.

That doesn't mean I can't empathise/sympathise. But facing up to these things is all part of being an adult.

Gazelda · 21/03/2017 19:32

OP, must keep thinking to yourself "in 24 hours time, the worst will be over". I do this when I've got to face something I'm dreading. I count down the hours which makes it feel more positive the closer I get to the 'climax'.
Good luck.

Paddywack92 · 21/03/2017 19:33

Just popping back to say good luck OP x

Hiphopopotamus · 21/03/2017 19:43

BIWI I have a lot of respect for you (and I've been lurking on your LCBs for ages) but although what you say is logical, it's not always helpful to assume that people will always do the most sensible thing. When you're in the grip of anxiety, life is about getting through the next hour, not necessarily doing the thing that leads to the best long term outcome

Original poster
Goingtojail · 21/03/2017 20:53

Thank you all. I didn't expect/deserve such empathetic responses. The practical advice is really useful. I've taken off all my jewellery, had a shower so time to pit my brace fave on.

This is a bit of a wake up call. Had a bit of a chat with DH and we've agreed that I need to get some therapy of some kind. I keep sabotaging things although this really does take the biscuit this time and I have to stop it for my family's sake.

I'm lucky to have his support. It is going to be a difficult night and day tomorrow. Heck of a wake up call

OP posts:
Unicorn81 · 21/03/2017 21:37

Sorry you have to go through this, it seems a bit harsh to lock you up. Not sure if mentioned but you will need to inform your car insurer about the fine and points and declare it when you renew.

BIWI · 21/03/2017 21:50

HipHo - I do realise that. But just sympathising with the OP isn't actually going to help her. Yes, it will make here feel supported, and give her emotional warmth - both of which are really important - but to not accept that this was foolish behaviour is a real problem.

Thankfully, the OP has a supportive and sympathetic husband, and they have - together - realised that she needs help. Which is, I hope, the most positive outcome of this 'affair'.

ICancelledTheCheque · 21/03/2017 22:28

Hope you're OK, OP. It sounds like the stuff of nightmares.

I hope you managed to find a suitable excuse so your DD is shielded from the situation too, given her fear Flowers

Hiphopopotamus · 22/03/2017 03:17

I suppose I'm just looking at it from my point of view. Supportive posts would keep me reading whereas harsh ones would have me running. If the OP is anything like me (and yes I know I'm projecting) she's already giving herself the harshest reality check possible. I can't give her more of that. But I can give her understanding and support

piginboots · 22/03/2017 05:54

Hope you're doing OK op Brew

PetalMettle · 22/03/2017 06:07

Hope it wasn't as bad as you thought OP. Well done on deciding to get help Flowers

sandgrown · 22/03/2017 06:17

Amazing how on the ball police are with offences related to.motoring. They came to my house at 11pm 're an unpaid parking ticket! I waited weeks/ months for ex to be arrested for non payment of child maintenance

sashh · 22/03/2017 07:21

Amazing how on the ball police are with offences related to.motoring. They came to my house at 11pm 're an unpaid parking ticket! I waited weeks/ months for ex to be arrested for non payment of child maintenance

I called 999 three times when someone was trying to break in and shouting through the door they were going to 'twat' me.

They phoned back the following day to ask if I was OK

ineedamoreadultieradult · 22/03/2017 07:30

Place marking for the outcome as this is one of the scenarios I have anxiety around but I do always open my post so hopefully cant happen to me but then I go to the other extreme and worry that I have read the letter wrong and im doing the wrong thing and going to get arrested anyway.

ICancelledTheCheque · 22/03/2017 08:36

Sashh, that's absolutely appalling.

Original poster
Goingtojail · 22/03/2017 15:33

Update

I went to the station last night and was kept in the cells. The police were pretty understanding and considerate really. I was allowed something to read and managed to fall asleep only to be woken up to be moved to another police station son handcuffed and put in a van.

Taken to court this morning and locked up again until it was my turn. 3 points and a 160 pounds fine. Very relieved it's now all over.

I don't ever want to go through that again. It was awful. I do understand it's completely of my own making and need to make some huge changes.

DD is used to me being away with work so we've managed to shield her.

Thank you everyone

OP posts:
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