Beckham pleaded guilty by post... you may not have to!

David Beckham recently admitted using his mobile phone whilst driving his Bentley. But the admission was not in a public courtroom, but by post. This is allowed under the new “Single Justice Procedure”, where a magistrate sitting alone deals with a case in private not in public.

This is designed to save time and money, but there are concerns that our justice system should always operate in public. Moreover, Jon Collins, chief executive of the Magistrates Association said that there is a risk that “some individuals may choose not to get legal advice, or may not explore possible defences they could use, and then end up with a criminal conviction”.

That is, if they don't get legal advice, and allow the Courts to deal with it in private, then they may not realise that they could have a defence.

So, as I have advised elsewhere in these blogs: if you face an allegation of breaking the law – seek expert advice before you enter a plea in Court, or in writing. You may have a defence.

Call James Kirby on 074-9080-7766.