Mitigating Circumstances - Letter to Magistrates

Originally Posted by Scoobs

I can't remember a single Scoobs appreciation post mate! Must have missed that one.

Thought that the "IB Girlies" had you as their pin-up?

Anyway, I appreciate you

Originally Posted by Jabba-the-Hutt

Thought that the "IB Girlies" had you as their pin-up?

Anyway, I appreciate you

I was just fishing mate.

[Biker Biggles]

I assume your legal advice was not to challenge the "out of range " laser then?
And never admit to doing anything "dangerous".Thats tantamount to mass murder these days.

Having read them both through, I think that the second letter is more appropriate. However:

Are you going to be including it with a separate covering letter stating that you will be attending court?

Regarding the sale of your bike, you make no mention of any actions to improve you actual riding skills - so it may be taken to mean that you are simply going to flog your bike and buy another one once the ban is over.
I would suggest you sign up with the IAM pronto, so that you possibly have some form of evidence (receipt etc) by the time of your court case, and say you are looking into the options of hiring a bike for observed ride/advanced test.

Just my instinctive reaction and advice. Though don't write anything just for the sake of it, only put what you are going to do.

Hope that helps some.

It says on the letter that i dont intend to, nor wish to, buy or ride a motorcycle. I dont.

Ive decided to give it all up and get into my other love... hang gliding. Ive not done it for 5 years and it would be great to get back into the skys.

I will be sending the letter in together with my summons which states that i wish to attend court - but ive also asked for them to change to location of the hearing as they've sent me to Skipton, and there's no way i can get out there, its impossible. I cant take the whole day off work, so it would be a case of go to court, then back to work once done... to get the train/bus to skipton would take all day pretty much, and cost too much (solicitors fees, court costs, fine etc...)

Originally Posted by getyerkneedown

I do not intend, nor wish, to purchase or ride another motorbike until I can demonstrate to myself that I am trust worthy enough.

It's this last bit that I took to mean that you were intending on returning to biking.
I was therefore thinking speculatively of an amendment along the lines of "demonstrate to the IAM that I am trustworthy enough. To which end I have made an application to join... yadda yadda yadda."


If you are seriously saying that you aren't going to get beck on a bike again, or for at least say, five years, then I'd amend it to "I do not intend, nor wish, to purchase or ride another motorbike for my forseeable long-term future."


Umm, does that make sense?

As far as the letter is concerned I agree with the above... BUT...

I wouldn't bother sending a letter. Bottom line here is that you are going to get a ban, no letter or court attendence is going to alter that. On that basis I would be more tempted to front up at court and speak to the panel directly. Be contrite but don't grovel; set out the facts and nothing more. Don't go on about how life has been hard but now back on track etc etc, it won't carry any weight and it will just look like you are trying to get out of a due punishment.

In the end the only thing that may sway it in your favour is if the magistrate thinks you are genuinely sorry, even then it will still be a ban. Sorry if this sounds harsh but it probably is reality.

Well you know y advise and you have listened to non of it...

At least take this on board, a judge is called YOUR HONOUR!!!!!! not Sir!! For all you know, it could be a female Judge!!

And again, what you have written about loosing your job etc is not counted as Mitigating Circumstance for this crime

Originally Posted by DeeJay

Well you know y advise and you have listened to non of it...

At least take this on board, a judge is called YOUR HONOUR!!!!!! not Sir!! For all you know, it could be a female Judge!!

And again, what you have written about loosing your job etc is not counted as Mitigating Circumstance for this crime

Do i mention in the letter Mitigating Circumstances Deejay? No.

Dear Sir, is the generic way of which to start letters for whom you dont know the name of the recipient, besides, its not going to be a judge - its a board of magistrates.

I was told to write this letter by the solicitor.

My appologies, your title for the thread says mitigating circumstances...

You should be clearer about your titles young man