court summons-what happens?

mairec

Hi I miscalculated the amount of days left to pay a parking fine and so was late by one day. As a result they wouldn't accept payment and I was summonsed to court for this Thursday. I am terrified and I just don't know what happens?? Will it just be a bigger fine and if so how big?? What exactly happens? Do I just turn up on the day on my own? Was I supposed to get a solicitor?? Oh God the panic attacks. Please can anyone explain things to me??

Pat Mustard

mairec wrote: »

Hi I miscalculated the amount of days left to pay a parking fine and so was late by one day. As a result they wouldn't accept payment and I was summonsed to court for this Thursday. I am terrified and I just don't know what happens?? Will it just be a bigger fine and if so how big?? What exactly happens? Do I just turn up on the day on my own? Was I supposed to get a solicitor?? Oh God the panic attacks. Please can anyone explain things to me??

It is still only a parking fine, try not to worry unduly about it. It is not going to break the bank. You could ring the local district court office and ask to speak with whoever deals with road traffic, and they will tell you how much your local District Judge hands out for parking fines..

It will say on the summons who the prosecutor is. Is it the local authority or the Gardai? In any case, you can ring up the local authority (or whoever) and ask if the matter could be struck out if you will pay the (original) fine now. If the Gardai are prosecuting, ring the appropriate Garda.

Failling that, just go to court and tell the judge your story.

If you are too nervous to handle all of this, then get a solicitor. You still have loads of time to do that.

mairec

The Mustard wrote: »

It is still only a parking fine, try not to worry unduly about it. It is not going to break the bank. You could ring the local district court office and ask to speak with whoever deals with road traffic, and they will tell you how much your local District Judge hands out for parking fines..

It will say on the summons who the prosecutor is. Is it the local authority or the Gardai? In any case, you can ring up the local authority (or whoever) and ask if the matter could be struck out if you will pay the (original) fine now. If the Gardai are prosecuting, ring the appropriate Garda.

Failling that, just go to court and tell the judge your story.

If you are too nervous to handle all of this, then get a solicitor. You still have loads of time to do that.

thanks. it's the gardai who issued it. I was parked at a taxi rank at 10pm and my daughter as asleep in the back-my partner had forgotten hi wallet and i dropped it into him. tried to get in contact with gaurd but he never replied to me. can i show up without a solicitor?

Jo King

There should be no need for a solicitor. Tell your story. If the guard does not show up you may get a strike out.

mairec

thanks a million. To be honest when I rang the helpline after the payment was accepted I was crying down the phone and all (then again I was 9months pregnant and hormonal!) and the gaurd on the phone was really nice and she was trivialising it too saying it's just a fine and stuff but I've never been in trouble before and it's nerve-wrecking. I'm so embarrassed too. I've not told anyone except my partner and now I've to try find a babysitter without telling people why and I don't know how long I'll be or anything. God I hate this. Well thanks very much for the replies-at least it doesn't seem too bad now.

Pat Mustard

mairec wrote: »

thanks. it's the gardai who issued it. I was parked at a taxi rank at 10pm and my daughter as asleep in the back-my partner had forgotten hi wallet and i dropped it into him. tried to get in contact with gaurd but he never replied to me. can i show up without a solicitor?

Yeah, for a parking fine I wouldn't use a solicitor. It's not like it's a murder.

Oh yes, and turn up early to court and see if you can find the Garda. You should be able to get one of the other cops to point him out. If you can find him, ask him what he can do for you, you never know, he might agree to strike it out. If he doesn't turn up, as Jo King says, the Judge might strike it out on that basis.

dats_right

The majority of people would not instruct a solicitor for a parking fine, however, most people wouldn't be having a panic attack about it either. So whilst you do not need a solicitor to represent you, you may prefer to have one to put your mind at ease and do virtually all of the talking on your behalf; because it can be a daunting prospect, especially if your not used to it, having to get into the box in front of a packed court room when your name is called and answer the Judges questions, etc. Okay the Judge isn't going to be sending you to jail or anything but many aren't exactly overly friendly either, nor I suppose would you be, if you were sitting all day listening to scores of cases involving unpaid parking tickets!

OP, if you feel that you would prefer to have a solicitor well then get a solicitor, it won't cost you very much, on the other hand if you feel confident enough to handle it and speak in court go for it.

lizz2009

hi fokes i just got load of summons about parking on path at our school but i have noticed now the address the offence happend is the wrong road also i did not have my licence with me i was never asked to produce at garda station any advice would be greatful thanks

Pat Mustard

lizz2009 wrote: »

hi fokes i just got load of summons about parking on path at our school but i have noticed now the address the offence happend is the wrong road also i did not have my licence with me i was never asked to produce at garda station any advice would be greatful thanks

Can't go into too much detail on that one due to the forum charter, but on that one I would say if you have a load of summonses and if you are thinking of fighting them, then go and see a solicitor who does district court work.

I wouldn't really advise fighting that one yourself.

Do you have a summons for not carrying your licence? If so, then I think that you should go and produce that licence to the appropriate Garda asap, and ask him to strike out that summons. If you can't reach the Garda, try to arrange to produce to the Gardai anyway. You may be able to talk to the Sergeant at the station etc.

Victor

lizz2009 wrote: »

hi fokes i just got load of summons about parking on path at our school but i have noticed now the address the offence happend is the wrong road also i did not have my licence with me i was never asked to produce at garda station any advice would be greatful thanks

Check the name of the road on maps and on the street. You may find it is different to what you think.

Multiple summons -> go to solicitor.

And don't park on the path, especially near a school! :mad:

lizz2009

thanks mustard for your advice i will go to local garda station i just never got asked to produce licence or insurance that day within 10 days.as i was one of manny that had to park on path at school as no spaces are provided i admit the offence but they should at least get where it happend right i hope they dont amend the summons thanks

rigu

Hi, just looking for some advice, please. I was stopped for speeding offence, had no driving licence with me when stopped, I was told to present to local station within 10 days, I got the fine in the post with wrong surname, I filled out the form with my correct details and paid the fine at the post office, presented my licence to the local station, so I was at peace, two months later got summons to appear in court for not presenting a licence. the summons letter still sent to my address in that wrong surname, even I have sent them my correct name with the fine, any advice, anyone in the same situation?? many thanks.

nuac

ModIf you have time before court date, try to contact the Garda involved with your details.

If Garda does not withdraw summons, get a solicitor

As this is an old thread closing it now