So we received our fine today.
A couple of weeks back, we were skating at our favourite spot, seshing a corner. Due to one of our spotters failing to do their job, one of us had a close run in with a car. Not really a big deal, guy slid off and stopped just as his legs went under the front of the car, lady driver was frightened and we apologized, she told us that it was a good thing we had helmets and pads on and told us to be more careful next time. We apologized again and she drove off.
Later a cop shows up and asks us what we were up to. We told him we were just skating up and down that part of the road. He then told us that someone called and told him there was an accident, and he wanted us to leave the place as what were doing was dangerous. We obliged and started packing our things to leave.
Just as we were about to leave, one of us skated ahead, moments later he came back and told us that the cop was further down of the hill, and warned him that he couldn't skate down. Now the bus stop was at the bottom of the hill, and the idea of walking all the way down did not seem pleasant to us. So we decided to just footbrake down the hill, keeping our speed at jogging pace. We then passed the cop on the way down (we were still footbraking all the way). He then told us to stop, which we did, he then took our details down and told us that we would be receiving a fine in the mail.
The road we were skating had a 50kph speed limit, and when he stopped us we were footbraking down an unmarked stretch of the road, we never exceeded the speed limit. The whole time we were talking to the cop, we were respectful and calm. We received our fine in the mail today, and he fined us under RR 241 (1) "Travel improperly on a road on a wheeled recreational device". We plan to appeal this as we are confident we did not break any such law, but we would like to ask your opinions first on this matter.
So what do you guys think?
Later a cop shows up and asks us what we were up to. We told him we were just skating up and down that part of the road. He then told us that someone called and told him there was an accident, and he wanted us to leave the place as what were doing was dangerous. We obliged and started packing our things to leave.
Just as we were about to leave, one of us skated ahead, moments later he came back and told us that the cop was further down of the hill, and warned him that he couldn't skate down. Now the bus stop was at the bottom of the hill, and the idea of walking all the way down did not seem pleasant to us. So we decided to just footbrake down the hill, keeping our speed at jogging pace. We then passed the cop on the way down (we were still footbraking all the way). He then told us to stop, which we did, he then took our details down and told us that we would be receiving a fine in the mail.
The road we were skating had a 50kph speed limit, and when he stopped us we were footbraking down an unmarked stretch of the road, we never exceeded the speed limit. The whole time we were talking to the cop, we were respectful and calm. We received our fine in the mail today, and he fined us under RR 241 (1) "Travel improperly on a road on a wheeled recreational device". We plan to appeal this as we are confident we did not break any such law, but we would like to ask your opinions first on this matter.
So what do you guys think?
Views: 60
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robbo on
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In the normal circumstance the defence sits on the left. All of the area behind both sides is available to the public however due the the large number of defendants seen over a short period of time most of the left side will be full of defendants with a court appointed clerk shuffling them around. The right side will usually have a bit more space.
If you were to attend court and yell something or hold up a sign/banner you would almost certainly be found in contempt of the court by the magistrate. Unlike most offenses where you are charged with an offense and given a future court date with a set maximum penalty, the magistrate would likely bring you immediately to the front of the court and find you in contempt. There is no maximum penalty for this and no defense or appeal, the magistrate is well within their right to put you in jail for 20 years, It is completely up to their discretion. The most likely result would have you thrown out of the court room.
Oscar said:Are they allowed to have people sit and watch the case? Cause im totally going along with some signs and stuff.
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Permalink Reply by Gilbert on
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haha, we actually knew of inverness before you told us about it sean, but we did do mountain highway and loved it.
but yeah, what fendy said, but if the court date is during exam periods then i might just have to drop it and pay the fine.
Sean said:I tend to agree with Robbo / Hop etc, there's unlikely to be any major downside to going to court.
Also, its good to know one of my recommendations worked out for you!
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by sean meaney on -
Gilbert said:haha, we actually knew of inverness before you told us about it sean, but we did do mountain highway and loved it.
but yeah, what fendy said, but if the court date is during exam periods then i might just have to drop it and pay the fine.
if that is the case then the school/uni should be able to organise alternative arrangements as you are attending a legal procedure
Sean said:I tend to agree with Robbo / Hop etc, there's unlikely to be any major downside to going to court.
Also, its good to know one of my recommendations worked out for you!
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Fendy on -
Sean, unlike u, we actually need to study for our exams.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by sean meaney on -
yeah but the thing is you have a court appearence the uni will reschedual your exam if you have a clash
Fendy said:Sean, unlike u, we actually need to study for our exams.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Fendy on -
i'm sure G was not talking about a clash. We still have to study for the exam.
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ASRA AdminPermalink Reply by bernie on -
See this in today's age.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/250-fine-for-cycling-on-the-path-...
We need to check council by-laws before using city parks, and we certainly do not want skateboards in the same bag as bicycles!
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Dani on -
Move to Canada! You can skate anywhere there.
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fendy's right sean, as might as I'd like to fight this due to the principle behind it, I can't be bogged down with legal facts and issues while I need to be studying for my exams. If I was studying Law, it would be a different matter :P. But yeah, I'm paying a hell lot more for my uni fees compared to this $58 fine, so if it comes down to it, uni comes first.
Oh canada!! if i could get a job there after uni, it would be perfect in terms of skating :D
Bernie, being that we are not classified as being in the same class as bicycles, technically aren't we allowed to skate in parks?
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by sean meaney on -
defs the best move, its the pipe dream for most longboarders i think
Dani said:Move to Canada! You can skate anywhere there.
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