http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=20842

LOL!

how much is an average speeding ticket?

how much are legal costs?

it would surely be cheaper jus to cough up even if your innocent, which im guessing is what they want.
but then you get a record, and points.
purely based around making cash.

if someone challenges a ticket, and the police think they will loose the case, they should drop it, surely?

Ludicrous.

Nuts and more than likely just an attention grabbing headline, as if they implemented it, the European Court would throw it out.

What next, if you go to court for any reason you foot the costs, even if you are innocent, making justice only available to those who can afford it.

I lost interest when I saw the tax avoiders alliance mentioned and the petitioner was the president of the The Association of Motor Offence Lawyers , which may be a lovely group of people but alas in my mind sound like a bunch of cocks that will be first against the wall come the revolution 🙂

Wonder if they will extend it to the entire criminal justice system – may go some way to paying the loan for the banks.

Load of bollox – I bet its simply not true.

Doesn't it just mean you can't claim excessive legal costs?

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news–general-news/new-court-costs-ruling-creates-uproar/8550.html
"will only be reimbursed at prevailing legal aid rates"

yeah, would never stand up to the law lords imo.

From the link :

As a result the new rules make it clear that in future drivers will have to foot the bill for clearing their name.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, this doesn't appear to be entirely true :

"Under new rules any defendant acquitted of an offence in the Magistrates' Court will only be reimbursed at prevailing legal aid rates regardless of the level of costs they paid to their lawyers."

So it seems as if there might only be a problem in cases where lawyers are taking the piss. You would have thought that the Taxpayers Alliance would be pleased that taxpayers money wasn't being wasted on overpaid lawyers 😕

*The Taxpayers Alliance are a front for overpaid Tory lawyers shocker*

Regretably it is true and it will be upheald in the higher courts and europe and it applys to all criminal cases not just motoring.So if you and your neighbour have a row and the neighbour makes a false complaint of assault or threatening behavior you will be charged and taken to court .If you earn more than £250 a week you are unlikely to qualify for legal aid . If as often happens after 6 months you have a trial and win you will be landed with your lawyers bill less what legal aid would pay. not fair you may feel penalised for being the victim of a false complaint.

legal aid rates £23 to £63 per hour private client rates for criminal worl about £120 per hour .Divorce lawers by contrast £150 to £300 per hour. Car mechanics labour about £50 to £75