Cost of Court (Speeding summons)

[Budza]

Need to know what it costs if your case goes to court.

Have received summons, don't have time to go, but don't feel like paying.

If convicted, do I just have to pay the fine, (a few hundred) or is there an added cost due to having to get the courts involved? How much is this? If not too much, it might be worth taking my chances, otherwise will have to cough up

My thinking was that the whole thing is a load, so there is a decent chance it will get thrown out without me even having to contest it. It's for a small amount after all, so wondering if it is worth their while persuing the matter.

Anyone had some experience/got some advice on the matter?

No "Pay the fine, you miser" lectures please, if all you self righteous types can help yourselves.

 

[Dolby]

You shouldn't speed in the first place.

Do the crime, pay the fine.

Innocent road users could get hurt.

Speed limits are there for a reason.

You're irresponsible

And no, I've never broken the law ...

 

[medicnick83]

You shouldn't speed in the first place.

Do the crime, pay the fine.

Innocent road users could get hurt.

Speed limits are there for a reason.

You're irresponsible

And no, I've never broken the law ...

+1!!!!

How can you not expect us to say it?

If you have a valid case - go give your 5c, but either way, pay the freaking fine!!!

 

[Budza]

You shouldn't speed in the first place.

Do the crime, pay the fine.

Innocent road users could get hurt.

Speed limits are there for a reason.

You're irresponsible

And no, I've never broken the law ...

Couldn't help themselves.

 

[xrapidx]

How exactly is he irresponsible when you haven't even heard what he's done wrong?

Unlike those above - I don't pay speeding fines until summonsed - in South Africa it has NOTHING to do with safety, and EVERYTHING to do with money making... if a taxi with bald tyres, no steering wheel, no brakes, etc can drive around - then I can drive around doing 140km/h - and if its unsafe, please link to the study saying 140km/h is exponentially more unsafe than 120km/h

 

[Dolby]

I actually was kidding with all those comments

And it was posted by me - not keeper :/

 

[Budza]

I drove "too fast"

83km/h on the N1. Flat stretch, next to some "construction work". WAAAAAAAAY to dangerous man! Dunno what I was thinking!

Never mind the okes cruising past at 120km/h, in the fast lane, obscured from view by me, cruising (dangerously slowly) in the left lane...

 

[Budza]

I actually was kidding with all those comments

And it was posted by me - not keeper :/

Keeper in the other (duplicate) thread. Trying to be funny, I suppose.

 

[xrapidx]

If you get the summons, pay the fine - its that simple - else they might pull you over on a Friday and lock you up till the Monday... skipping court isn't taking lightly.

 

[Budza]

If you get the summons, pay the fine - its that simple - else they might pull you over on a Friday and lock you up till the Monday... skipping court isn't taking lightly.

That's the other concern. Outstanding summons (missed court or whatever) = warrant for my arrest.

Is it cool if I just cough up? Plus some other fine for being a knob? Or is it seriously jaail time?

Have heard the rentacops (metro) can escourt you to an ATM to get payment, then let you go. If that's the case, I'm willing to take my chances... :erm:

 

[xrapidx]

But are you willing to take your chances with some moody metro prat who's having a bad Friday and decides to lock you up for the weekend?

 

[xrapidx]

Just saw you're in Cape Town - hardly any road blocks and checks here

 

[Budza]

Just saw you're in Cape Town - hardly any road blocks and checks here

Except for the ones over long weekends etc, which could be seriaasly kark

But are you willing to take your chances with some moody metro prat who's having a bad Friday and decides to lock you up for the weekend?

Must say, struggle to be civil with these powertrip okes. Cordial at best, so not a good combination

 

[xrapidx]

AFAIK - if you can avoid them for three years - it falls away

 

[Keeper]

I actually was kidding with all those comments

And it was posted by me - not keeper :/

...double thread posts gets you double reply posts.

 

[Budza]

...double thread posts gets you double reply posts.

Trying to be funny. Like I thought.

Hardy ha ha

Gonna pounce when you next slip up- watch your back!

 

[Bondizzo]

How exactly is he irresponsible when you haven't even heard what he's done wrong?

Unlike those above - I don't pay speeding fines until summonsed - in South Africa it has NOTHING to do with safety, and EVERYTHING to do with money making... if a taxi with bald tyres, no steering wheel, no brakes, etc can drive around - then I can drive around doing 140km/h - and if its unsafe, please link to the study saying 140km/h is exponentially more unsafe than 120km/h

I was caught doing a uturn in the wrong place a couple months ago, a metro cop stoped me and showed me his book with a list of offences/fines, they wanted to charge me R400 for that, fortunatley I got off the hook. Did you know that a taxi would pay R80 for the same offence I did ? I was surprised to find out tax's fines are way less than us tax paying citizens.

 

[xrapidx]

I was caught doing a uturn in the wrong place a couple months ago, a metro cop stoped me and showed me his book with a list of offences/fines, they wanted to charge me R400 for that, fortunatley I got off the hook. Did you know that a taxi would pay R80 for the same offence I did ? I was surprised to find out tax's fines are way less than us tax paying citizens.

No surprise there... taxi's own the roads - and the government lets them, they don't pay the fines, so the municiplaties don't want to fine them...

Like I said, its all about money, and not about safety.

 

[Budza]

I was caught doing a uturn in the wrong place a couple months ago, a metro cop stoped me and showed me his book with a list of offences/fines, they wanted to charge me R400 for that, fortunatley I got off the hook. Did you know that a taxi would pay R80 for the same offence I did ? I was surprised to find out tax's fines are way less than us tax paying citizens.

Next time a pad varkie pops out from the bush, I'll double check that.

Would be unbelievable anywhere but here... Flip/


EDIT: Made me think of this:

What's the difference between a pad vark and a brazilian??

At least with one, you can see the *unt behind the bush

 

[kwaggawerner]

OK, to get everyone back on topic, if you have a court summons, and don't pitch, they immediately issue an arrest warrant, and they WILL find you, and arrest you, then they will force you to attend the hearing (which will not be looked on kindly, since you defied them the first time).... -> Get a lawyer, and ask him/her what is the best course of action, and yes, you have brought this on yourself, the court, lawyer etc fees will be in the thousands... 10's of them

The new laws, have a zero tolerance policy, and all police staff are more then willing to enforce it to the fullest extend.

I do feel sorry for, if you have allowed yourself to get to this stage, since it would've been much easier just to A. Pay the fine B. Have it disputed out of court, in which the chances that it would've been dropped, or substantially reduced was almost certain.

Also, not to bring race into the equation, but if you are white/coloured, the chances that they will be harsher on you, is high, you are to be made an example of. Disclaimer: I'm not a racist.

Hell, if you lived in Pretoria, I might have helped. Best of luck to you, best to put up your puppy face, and sincerely, profusely apologize.

One last thing, I also like driving fast on highways, especially the parts you know aren't monitored, but should I get caught, I have NO ONE to blame but myself.