Model Katie Price will avoid jail for speeding because her offence is being dealt with remotely under the single justice procedure.
She does not have to appear in court and can be dealt with by a fine and/or points on her license and a driving ban. She cannot be jailed under the procedure.
The reality star, 44, was allegedly caught driving her BMW while over the speed limit in a 60mph zone near her mansion in Horsham, West Sussex in September last year.
Her case is listed at Crawley Magistrates Court but it will be dealt with remotely under the little-known Single Justice Procedure.
(Image: Splash News)
A single magistrate who does not have to be sitting at the court where a case is listed to be able to deal with it.
The procedure was set up in 2015 to deal with minor traffic offences and low-level fare evasion.
It has also recently been used widely to deal with breaches of coronavirus rules.
They are dealt with by the magistrate who looks at relevant paperwork before coming to a decision.
(Image: Instagram)
Defendants can make a plea online but if they plead not guilty they must turn up in court at a later date.
The government website says: “The Single Justice Procedure applies to cases involving adults charged with summary-only non-imprisonable offences.
“It allows cases to be dealt with by a single magistrate on the basis of the papers alone without either party having to attend court for a hearing.
“The procedure removes the need for the prosecutor and the defendant to go to court for a hearing. Defendants can manage their cases in writing.”
Advice to defendants on the government site says: “Your notice will tell you who has brought the case against you (for example, the police or TV Licensing), how to make a plea, and if you can make a plea online.
“When you respond you will need to say whether you plead guilty or not guilty.”
It adds that defendants who plead not guilty “have to go to court and give information to the magistrates in person.”
She will be told the result later today.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
