You should seek expert legal advice if you have received a postal requisition or you have been told you will receive a postal charge summoning you to attend court in Milton Keynes.
The magistrates’ court will hear all criminal court cases initially. Your case will be dealt with solely by the magistrates’ court if the criminal offence you are accused of is classified as a summary offence.
Your case will be sent to the crown court if the alleged offence is linked to a more serious case.
Find Milton Keynes magistrates’ court at:
301 Silbury Boulevard
Witan Gate East
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 2A
Contact the court at:
Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court and Family Court Hearing Centre
301 Silbury Boulevard
Witan Gate East
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 2AJ
Why have I received a postal requisition?
You will receive a postal requisition or postal charge if you have committed a criminal offence. The postal requisition was previously known as a court summons letter.
What the requisition requires you to do by law
A postal requisition is an order that will tell you that you are required by law to appear at Milton Keynes magistrates’ court at a fixed time and date.
If it is a summary offence heard in the magistrates’ court, the court hearing must begin within 6 months from the date when the offence was allegedly committed.
Usually the police will ask the court to issue the requisition or postal charge within this period of time, otherwise any potential prosecution may be time barred.
Why is a summary offence heard by a magistrate?
Summary offences are heard in a magistrates’ court rather than by a judge and jury in a crown court.
A summary offence is heard by a magistrate because, as a criminal offence, it is considered to be of a reduced severity unless it is linked to a more serious offence committed at the same time.
Summary offences include:
- Damage to property
- Road traffic offences, for example – driving without a valid licence or drink driving
- Minor assault
- Cases of offensive or anti-social behaviour
It is possible for some summary offences to be heard without attending court. If you aren’t attending court it is vital that you find a specialist criminal defence solicitor to represent you.
If you are required to attend court but you fail to do so then you can be arrested and, in some cases, sent to prison.
Your next steps once you receive a postal requisition or charge
Whether you intend to plead guilty to the alleged offence, the postal charge may ask you to provide your extended plea. Expert legal advice is essential.
If you plan to plead guilty by post and you are asking the court to deal with the case without attending court in person, you can include a letter of mitigation with the requisition. This letter needs to explain the circumstances so that you can potentially gain a more favourable outcome.
Expert legal advice from an experienced criminal defence solicitor will ensure the key points of the case are identified and could also prevent you from saying something that could make the offence sound more serious than it was.
After you have returned your plea with the postal requisition, you will receive a letter from the court with their decision. You will need further expert legal advice from a specialist solicitor if you are asked to attend a further case hearing.
You can also plead guilty to an offence in person by representing yourself in court or instructing a solicitor to act on your behalf.
Expert legal representation in Milton Keynes
The criminal defence solicitors at Lawtons can represent you at Milton Keynes magistrates’ court. Our criminal defence team regularly handle criminal cases in courts across Hertfordshire.
If criminal charges have been made against you, we can provide you with expert legal advice and assistance to make sure that you get the best possible outcome.
If you are in urgent need of legal assistance or advice from a criminal solicitor in Milton Keynes, please get in touch with us:
Lawtons Milton Keynes Criminal Law Solicitors (by appointment only)
500 Avebury Boulevard,
Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire,
MK9 2BE
Telephone: 01908 828742
Find us on Google Maps.