I Have Court Tomorrow - Can No Go - What To Do?

Post Reply New Topic

I can't get into the link here; I might be able to get to it when I get home.

I got the link. I believe you might be able to search for your case on this link.

I like the idea of getting your social worker in the loop and involved. This gets you a person advocating on your behalf.

Generally, you just want to call them in the morning and tell them you can't come, and why, and just be matter-of-fact, direct, and brief about it.

Don't say you have a "mental illness," though. Just ask to reschedule, if possible.

From what I gather for anybody who might be interested:

It seems to be that this is more of a civil manner than a criminal manner. He was fined by the UK's equivalent of a "department of motor vehicles," known as the DVLA, for not informing them of a sale of a motorbike. I think the fine's about the equivalent of $500

He appealed the fine, and the decision on the appeal was scheduled for tomorrow, the 20th, at a Magistrates' court in his area. The Magistrates' court is a lower court in the UK. A Magistrate is not a judge, I believe.

I'm not sure of the consequences should he not appear. It might not be the same as a criminal matter, though.

Just to assure you that you are not the only one. In fact I turned up to court this Wednesday, like you I had no legal representative. Anyway after waiting in a grotty stuffy waiting room for over an hour I got really stressed out. The company I was keeping did not help, you have been in prison so you know what to expect. It was like the holding pen for the Jeremy Kyle show. Anyway I left and went home before I was seen. I did write to the court but maybe I should have calmed down before I did so. Telling them how disrespectful, undignified and frankly below me the whole system is was maybe a bad idea. I am assuming I was fined in my absence but I am still waiting to hear from them.

Good luck mate.

Try to show up for your court date.

First thing, tell the magistrate you are disabled and have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and ask the court to appoint someone to assist you in court.

Most developed nations are signatory to the UN Declaration of Rights for Disabled Persons (I think I got the title correct).

As such, you have rights under law that the Crown must respect.

Good luck.

Often it's the things which I think are medium which end up bothering me the most. I tell myself that I ought to be able to do it quicker or easier or without all my stress. And perhaps not. Dealing with officialdom just is a big deal.

For example, with my income taxes which I am currently behind on, my goal is to do them early, then put them aside and then look at them with fresh eyes. And sometimes that works.

And if you missed the court date, just try and call them, say, before 11:00 am on Monday. Try to have someone on your side in the room with you when you make the call. That way, you don't carry the burden alone. If not, maybe write a little before, during, and after the call. Sometimes like zen or art, less is more, but a little bit of writing can help.

I'm intrigued with the above person who's saying, tell the court you've been diagnosed with autism spectrum and ask them to appoint someone to assist you in dealing with the court.

And with the IRS, and I've worked for H&R Block, I've read that it's better not to agree to an overly ambitious payment play which you end up not meeting. Better not to agree to any plan and simply make payments when you can. I do not know if this applies to the UK.

Can you get a doctor's note saying you have to reschedule?

A certain Aspie loved one of mine has rescheduled many civil court dates by getting a doctor's note explaining that (s)he couldn't go that day. (S)he even managed to do some of it over the phone instead of in person.