For many drivers, a speeding ticket is a nuisance—a £100 fine and 3 points that you accept through the post. But there comes a point where a speeding offence stops being a minor administrative issue and becomes a serious legal threat. Perhaps you were caught doing 96mph on the motorway. Perhaps you already have 9 points on your licence. Perhaps you are a "new driver" within your two-year probationary period.
In these scenarios, the automated system stops. You are not offered a Fixed Penalty. Instead, you receive a Single Justice Procedure Notice or a court summons. You are facing the Magistrates.
This is the moment to instruct speeding offence solicitors. At Motoring Defence, we specialise in taking over when the stakes are high. We understand that while the facts of the speed might be simple, the law surrounding sentencing, mitigation, and procedure is complex. We are the buffer between you and the bench, using our legal expertise to minimise the damage to your licence and your bank balance.
Fixed Penalty vs. Court Summons: Knowing the Difference
The first thing we clarify for clients is why they have been summoned to court. You generally cannot "choose" to go to court just to delay things; you are sent there because the offence is too serious for a fixed penalty.
- Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN):Usually for speeds within a lower threshold (e.g., 35mph in a 30mph). It’s 3 points and £100.
- Court Summons / SJPN:This happens if: