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DIR Return to: Speeding and other criminal offences
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#Post#: 118952--------------------------------------------------
SJP timescales
DIR By: Bighiggs79
Date: May 17, 2026, 6:29 am
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I received an SJP in early March for speeding. I replied on the
3rd of march pleading guilty but asking for a court appearance
to plead my case. I haven't heard anything from any court etc.
Is this normal? Is there a maximum amount of time they have to
give me a court date? Thank you very much
#Post#: 118953--------------------------------------------------
Re: SJP timescales
DIR By: NewJudge
Date: May 17, 2026, 6:34 am
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No, there is not a maximum time, but over two months seems a bit
excessive. Might be an idea to contact the court to ensure your
response was received.
Did you plead guilty, or not guilty?
#Post#: 118954--------------------------------------------------
Re: SJP timescales
DIR By: Bighiggs79
Date: May 17, 2026, 6:43 am
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Thank you for your reply. I submitted it online and
screenshotted confirmation of the response. I plead guilty but
that I wanted to appear in court to explain. The waiting is
killing me as my job involves driving so I don't know what's
going to happen
#Post#: 118955--------------------------------------------------
Re: SJP timescales
DIR By: NewJudge
Date: May 17, 2026, 6:51 am
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Then I would contact the court.
You should be aware that sentencing for speeding is very
prescriptive. There is rarely any explanation or mitigation
which will have a significant influence on the outcome.
Were you offered a fixed penalty, or was your speed too fast for
that?
#Post#: 118957--------------------------------------------------
Re: SJP timescales
DIR By: Bighiggs79
Date: May 17, 2026, 7:09 am
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Stupidly I already had 9 points and then got caught doing just
over 100 on the motorway at 2am. They didn't offer me a fpn just
a court summons. I'm hoping to plead with them because my job is
a multi drop delivery driver and my dad is disabled and I have
to drive him to hospital appointments, surgeries etc
#Post#: 118958--------------------------------------------------
Re: SJP timescales
DIR By: JustLoveCars
Date: May 17, 2026, 7:31 am
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--- Quote from: Bighiggs79 link ---
>
> Stupidly I already had 9 points and then got caught doing just
over 100 on the motorway at 2am. They didn't offer me a fpn just
a court summons.
>
--- End Quote ---
That is correct. It was too fast for a CoFP and you were on 9
points anyway and looking at potentially totting.
--- Quote from: Bighiggs79 link ---
>
> I'm hoping to plead with them because my job is a multi drop
delivery driver and my dad is disabled and I have to drive him
to hospital appointments, surgeries etc
>
--- End Quote ---
The matter couldn't be heard by a SJ anyway - the matter was
always going to court.
Anyway, there are two possibilities (absent a defence):
1) They sentence you a short ban (2-3 weeks) instead of points
which will avoid totting - but they are unlikely to do this with
potential totting.
2) You tot (hit 12 points) and then submit an Exceptional
Hardship Plea to reduce the ban (potentially to none).
Here are the guidelines:
When considering whether there are grounds to reduce or avoid a
totting up disqualification the court should have regard to the
following:
It is for the offender to prove to the civil standard of proof
that such grounds exist. Other than very exceptionally, this
will require evidence from the offender, and where such evidence
is given, it must be sworn.
Where it is asserted that hardship would be caused, the court
must be satisfied that it is not merely inconvenience, or
hardship, but exceptional hardship for which the court must have
evidence.
Almost every disqualification entails hardship for the person
disqualified and their immediate family. This is part of the
deterrent objective of the provisions combined with the
preventative effect of the order not to drive.
If a motorist continues to offend after becoming aware of the
risk to their licence of further penalty points, the court can
take this circumstance into account.
Courts should be cautious before accepting assertions of
exceptional hardship without evidence that alternatives
(including alternative means of transport) for avoiding
exceptional hardship are not viable.
Loss of employment will be an inevitable consequence of a
driving ban for many people. Evidence that loss of employment
would follow from disqualification is not in itself sufficient
to demonstrate exceptional hardship; whether or not it does will
depend on the circumstances of the offender and the consequences
of that loss of employment on the offender and/or others.
So you need to demonstrate that the hardship you and/or others
will suffer is over and above that would be suffered by other
drivers. When explaining to the court that you will lose your
job, firstly you will need to present evidence of that (e.g. a
letter from your employer) and then go on to explain why
alternative employment, not requiring you to drive, is not
possible. You will also need to explain why you think the
consequences of a ban are “exceptional” (bearing in mind the
above guidance). Bear in mind that you will have had some time
to investigate such possibilities and the court will expect you
to have investigated the possibility thoroughly. If you post
your ideas up here you will get some views on your chance of
success.
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