Hi, I had committed this stupidity in January this year. I was caught speeding at 109 KMPH in a 60 zone(just when it changed from 70)at 1 in the morning. I had confessed to the officer who came looking for me at my home a few days later. My car was impounded for a month. I have lost my license for a year and s a consequence had to sell my car. Long story short, I learned my lesson the hard way and do not plan on doing this ever again.
As the officer promised, I have been sent the summons to appear in magistrate's court. I am going to plead guilty and apologize. I am not familiar with the court procedures at all. Has anyone been to court for a traffic offense? Can some light be shed on how I should approach the court and what to say to the magistrate? I know the fine can be a maximum of 3000AUD, but will the magistrate impose the maximum? P.S. I earn about 200AUD a week a I am studying.
I played this card when i lost my license after 3 weeks on P's. 103km/h in a 60 zone at 1 in the morning on a railway road through an industrial area (at least my camry beat my mate in his commodore)… Before someone says 'think of the children', the nearest home was over 2kms away, the road was 4 lanes, good quality - on one side was a railway, the other side had a wrecking yard and a couple smash repairers. Yes, I could've died, but this is different to idiots who weave through residential areas at 80km/h
It was a good night for the boys in blue, about 2 minutes into booking me, they got another, and then another one was being pulled up as I was leaving.
Anyway, I got 2 charges:
Excessive speed > 30kmh but <45km/h = 3 months suspension +
Loss of all points = 3 months suspension.
On the court day, I had a letter explaining my reasons (young fellow, gave in to peer pressure), my punishment (my parents confiscated and sold my car), my standing in the community (my dean wrote a letter detailing all the volunteering I did), and my brother's disability which required me to drive in emergencies (i had evidence of rushing him to hospital by the time the court date rocked up 7 months later). I showed contrition, dressed in a suit, was respectful and admitted I was stupid. I had also paid my fine, although in hindsight i shouldn't have until after court.
Result
Excessive speed charge stood = 3 months
Return of all points = no extra 3 month suspension; insurance unaffected as I technically hadn't lost any points.
They kept the $$$