lawcase on roadtax renewal

maverick_sg SG

hi All

my address was in NTU when i get my driving licence converted in 2002 then start riding a bike in the same year..

while, after moved out of hall, I did not receive any notice for renewal of road tax or insurance, hence forget to pay for anything till 2005 jan, that i lost my motorbike and reported a loss to police.

then in 2005 jan, i was called to LTA for caught on riding a deregistered vehicle at ERP entry for 2 times.
the officer at LTA took down my report and my suggestion for contact me via email/hp as well.

a court session was called upon to me in dec 2005 but unfortunately both 2 mail were sent to my old address, during these years, my address changed many times.

so finally i received a warrant of arrest and set out on a bail after rescheduled to another new court session 2 wks later.

the 2 case sum up to $3000 each ( the bail amount).

how shall I do?
shall I find a lawyer to be present during the court session with me to help?
what is the real penalization and fine?

thanks for all the readings & help.

maverick_sg SG

anyone can help?

skeujin SG

your time line is very fuzzy. so basically

1) you wer riding w/o valid insurance and road tax from 2002 - 2005? cause u never erceive any notices.
2) followed by which you entered the ERP zone twice riding n unregistered vehicle
3) You missed 2 court dates cause you didnt update the authorities w your current address

engaging a laywer wont help much except increase your legal fees.

the judge might giv u a slightly lesser but very insignificant fine if u plead for leniency but dont get your hopes up. all your offiences are due to your ignornce in updating yr address from day one and you never learn your lesson.

prepare 5k n you shd b safe. they only accept cash n nets but if you are using POSB or DBS. your maz withdrawal is only 2K.

Good luck

maverick_sg SG

while, actually not at least for the absence of court session.

during the interview with LTA officer in 2005 jan, I did updated him with my latest add and my hp# + email (stating I may moving soon, ) . so that in case I cannot be reached by mail. a call or email will do.
plus LTA ppl didnt' tell me to update them when I move.

, for the deregistered vehicle, as on the day that I obtain the bike till 2003 may, I still receive sth abt roadtax and else to my ntu add. while not after when i move out of hall.

so , here is the case.

so, I really need to prepare 5k? that's a huge sum and cannot be waived to a smaller sum?

anyway, thanks for your help in this Skeujin

skeujin SG

riding n unregistered vehicle w no insurance n road tax is NOT a small offensce.

i can see a minimum of 6 charges. ranging from light to more severe penalties. usually i will advise that the defendent bring about 1k per offensce.

please realise tt you can if you do not have enuf $$ for your fines you will be broght to jail immediatly after the court session.

you can appeal for a lighter sentence but do not expect leniency. your ignorance to the repeated offensces is inexcusable and the judge might even decide to slap a heavier fine for your audacity.

if you do not have enuf $$$ n want to appeal for the settlement of your fines via installments. You will need to have at least 50% of the sum of the total fine for the judge to find you convincing. and even then if he declines your request, you wil be thrown in jail immediatly. thie is even if you have the entire amount for the fine in you back pocket . so dont fool around.

maverick_sg SG

so, cheque acceptable?

105090 SG

why didnt u put ur address as your own house/ parents?

anyway, just pay up the fine and curse the judge. all they want is $$. u hire lawyer also wont do much.

An appeal can be considered also.

skeujin SG

No. learn to pay attention. tts wat got u into trouble in the 1st plc...

cash or nets!

siaokao SG

Yes, standby 5 K.. dun say anything, any "explanation" will be seen as execuses = higher fine. Asking for leniency and saying you are "sorry" is the MOST you should say. Forget about trying to explain those time line and watever problem you face.. stuff you did or did not do.. it will cost you more!

Remember, this is the Court of SINGAPORE (very efficent, machine like speed.. some say they charge by the minute.. for me, I think they charge by the seconds) the more you say... the more you pay!

Gd luck! Mr. Green

GSXR~RACER SG

just another input..
try to appeal.. at least to get more lenient punishment. that all you have to do.

dun hire lawer and try to go against it, coz you knowingly riding the expired bike for two years without insurance and road tax. on those papers clearly stated that these must be valid when you first get the bike, so it is treated that you know all the regulations.

anyway, good luck and there are alot of chances getting lenient fine. just try to appeal as much as you can.

Gent-X SG

if your road tax is expire
then your insurance might be expire too
if it a yes on your insurance
you can be penalise for not having valid insurance coverage which can be amount of 1 year suspension

skeujin SG

when its a blatant case of ignorance n u catch the judge one of his grouchy moods. he will get irritated bout the appeal n mite even issue a higer fine.

spec SG

This is a blatant case of giving change of address as an excuse. Sorry to say this. But you know, riding or driving a vehicle without roadtax and valid insurance is a offence which carries a jail term. How can one forget to pay? For me, even when I did not receive any reminders, I make an effort to go down to Sin Ming and get one printed out.

All I can say is plead guilty. Don't mitigate too much. Just say you are a poor worker, you know you are wrong etc etc. You will get away with a much smaller fine. Don't even bother to appeal. The judge will be lenient and MAY let you off with a concessionary fine.