the system

LegacyUser

Hi, this is not a legal question as i have been convicted and fined already but i feel very agrieved at what happened in court and actually feel slightly discriminated againt,
so i was in court for a speeding.

I had initially paid the fine but was late in doing so as was going through financial difficulties at the time and the cheque was returned to me and i was summoned.

I am self employed and had to take a morning of work to attend court, i had tried to call the gard who summoned me to try and rectify it before court but with no luck.

so i arrive at court 1.5 hours early and sit and watch the people up before me and hear the ones that did not turn up and how they where fined.

every person who was up before the judge was asked circumstances and how much they earned and were fined not more than 250€ and generally given 2 months to pay, those who did not turn up where fined 380€ and given one month to pay.

so to my time, i was not asked circumstanses and was not asked how much i earned, i am a polite and mannerly person who takes responsibilty seriously and when asked what my defense was i said i was speeding and had no excuse and also explained that i did try to pay fine at the time but it was returned to me for being late.

he fined me 380€ and gave me one month to pay, i will pay it and move on, but i did want to write him a letter to state my curriosity and disappointment at not being treated like everyone else but according to flac this is not a done thing to do, i will move on and on the greater scheme of things its not important and i have far greater worries, but it really just shows how unfair this system of ours in, anyway do you think i should leave it and move completely on or try and get my grievences out somewhere in the form of letter etc.

Thank you for your advice.

Denerick

From the little I know, the irish courts system (Particularly at this relatively low level) is usually very rushed, with many many cases given to individual judges. Think of it as bureaucracy, you have been fined by a bureaucrat. Next!