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Legal matters

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Original poster

Got myself in to a bit of a mess

57 replies

lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:06

And done something really silly.

I was caught doing a driving offence months and months ago. Due to money issues one thing led to another and this was not paid by me, no real excuses at all

And today when I was out and about the police came to my door, with a warrant for an arrest in my name, which means I will need to go down to the police station. I know I been very silly and must have thrown letters away without opening them, but I honestly had no idea I was supposed to be in court.

OP posts:
GetOffTheRoof · 28/08/2022 19:14

So it was a warrant backed for bail? Check the paperwork you've received - you won't be attending the police station, what you have been given should be a date for court.

On the day, ask to speak to the Duty Solicitor and they can support you.

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:22

Well a warrant for a missed court appearance, naive I know to think it would not have came to something like this

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 28/08/2022 19:36

Did you inform your insurance company of the driving offence (hopefully yes)?

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:39

daisychain01 Yes I did at the time

OP posts:
Oxborn · 28/08/2022 19:42

Is it a non bail warrant

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:47

Yes it is a non bail warrant

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 28/08/2022 19:49

That's good, you did exactly the right thing. That's one less thing to deal with.

was it determined through your insurance company that you were at fault? If so, then the problem is best handled by stating that you didn't pay the fine because you have ongoing money concerns and associated stress, and stupidly buried your head in the sand. If it's your first offence state that, and that this is very unlike you and how you normally deal with things.

do you have legal cover through your insurance policy? Do please use it as that's what it's there for 😊

Oxborn · 28/08/2022 19:52

So you need to go to the police station and basically hand yourself in but I’d personally wait until tomorrow evening as your be kept in until they can take you to court.

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:54

I do have legal cover through my insurance yes, guess I was silly and naive and although I was going through a few mental health issues, along with covid and money issues this will not wash at all

OP posts:
Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:55

Oxbornyes that is correct, I do need to go to hand myself in and avoid making a bad situation much worse

OP posts:
Oxborn · 28/08/2022 19:59

your be ok though, it will get sorted. I’ve been in a similar situation few years back and it’s scary have you people around you to support you even just to walk in the police station with you

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 20:02

Oxborn My sister is the only member of my family I have told so far, sure she would yes. Have not mentioned anything to my daughter

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 28/08/2022 20:09

Try not to worry. It doesn't sound like it's going to be all that terrible to get sorted.

Talia99 · 28/08/2022 20:09

If you hand yourself in in the evening on a no bail warrant, you will be kept in a cell until the morning. It’s much better to hand yourself in first thing on a weekday morning - even if you miss morning court, you should make afternoon court.

There will be a bank holiday morning court tomorrow but depending on your area and how busy it is, it may finish half way through the morning (Saturday and Bank Holiday courts generally finish when everyone in the cells has been dealt with whether that’s 10.30 or 6 p.m.). Therefore, if you do hand yourself in tomorrow, you need to do it as early as possible.

Oxborn · 28/08/2022 20:09

Glad you have told someone, we all make mistakes. Good luck let me know how you get on (if you want) and if you need to talk please just pm xx

daisychain01 · 28/08/2022 20:10

lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 19:54

I do have legal cover through my insurance yes, guess I was silly and naive and although I was going through a few mental health issues, along with covid and money issues this will not wash at all

Giving the full facts is part of the process so I would still tell them if there is that opportunity. Absolutely, It's not like you're looking for special favours but it is the human side that helps them see you had mitigating circumstances.

if you think getting legal advice I would do that, you have nothing to lose by talking it through.

Oxborn · 28/08/2022 20:11

Talia99 · 28/08/2022 20:09

If you hand yourself in in the evening on a no bail warrant, you will be kept in a cell until the morning. It’s much better to hand yourself in first thing on a weekday morning - even if you miss morning court, you should make afternoon court.

There will be a bank holiday morning court tomorrow but depending on your area and how busy it is, it may finish half way through the morning (Saturday and Bank Holiday courts generally finish when everyone in the cells has been dealt with whether that’s 10.30 or 6 p.m.). Therefore, if you do hand yourself in tomorrow, you need to do it as early as possible.

Good call about doing it in the morning

MrsRinaDecker · 28/08/2022 20:13

I don’t have any advice on the legal side, I’d just make sure you have solid childcare in place, just in case there’s a backlog and you aren’t seen immediately. At least it’s peace of mind that your dc are ok.

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 20:13

Talia99 I have spoke to an officer at the local station already, and agreed to go in person tomorrow and face the music, probably within my best interests doing it as early as possible I know

OP posts:
cbatopainttheshed · 28/08/2022 20:15

Talia99 · 28/08/2022 20:09

If you hand yourself in in the evening on a no bail warrant, you will be kept in a cell until the morning. It’s much better to hand yourself in first thing on a weekday morning - even if you miss morning court, you should make afternoon court.

There will be a bank holiday morning court tomorrow but depending on your area and how busy it is, it may finish half way through the morning (Saturday and Bank Holiday courts generally finish when everyone in the cells has been dealt with whether that’s 10.30 or 6 p.m.). Therefore, if you do hand yourself in tomorrow, you need to do it as early as possible.

This.
If the police do come for you before you hand yourself in you'll be kept in a cell until the next available court, which will likely mean an overnight in a police cell. Hand yourself in at the custody suite as early as you can in the morning to avoid this. If you can't get to the custody suite then a police station. But bear in mind if you go to a police station. You'll have to wait for officer available to deal with you and take you to custody, so you could miss the early court sitting and still end up in a cell for hours.

Talia99 · 28/08/2022 20:15

Having said that, the police may come back tonight - I don’t know how likely that is - it depends on how busy they are.

Oxborn · 28/08/2022 20:15

lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 20:13

Talia99 I have spoke to an officer at the local station already, and agreed to go in person tomorrow and face the music, probably within my best interests doing it as early as possible I know

Well done and your b fine

Original poster
lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 20:17

Talia99 had been kinda dreading them coming back tonight despite speaking already, and neighbours etc watching me being taken away

OP posts:
cbatopainttheshed · 28/08/2022 20:21

Don't beat yourself up over it. It's perfectly normal to bury your head. It's just now time to sort it out x

Oxborn · 28/08/2022 20:27

lesleykerry · 28/08/2022 20:17

Talia99 had been kinda dreading them coming back tonight despite speaking already, and neighbours etc watching me being taken away

I’m sure they won’t come back if you have arranged to see them tomorrow