Get a Letter To Say I Cant Attend Court Due To Mental Health Grounds

[Rob1969]

Hello Guys

I am being charged with dangerous driving regarding an incident from Aug 2023. This happened in Glasgow and i currently live in Manchester. My solicitors letter say i do not need to attend the Pre-Intermediate Diet Meeting. I have 2 court dates which are Intermediate Diet in March and a Trial Diet in April, so what happens at each of these dates?

I have many health problems and i have severe mental health problems which means i cannot travel by car or by public transport. Is it possible to get a gp or a professional to sign me off as unable to attend and get the case dropped?

many thanks

[islandgirl]

I do not know about the law in Scotland but here goes. How were you driving in 2023 but now cannot do so due to mental health problems? What has changed so dramatically? In England the case would most likely not be dropped but would proceed without you being there unless your excuse was accepted in which case it would be adjourned. The scenario you describe would not be a get out of jail free card. And this query should be on your previous post not in a new thread.

[Rob1969]

I do not know about the law in Scotland but here goes. How were you driving in 2023 but now cannot do so due to mental health problems? What has changed so dramatically? In England the case would most likely not be dropped but would proceed without you being there unless your excuse was accepted in which case it would be adjourned. The scenario you describe would not be a get out of jail free card. And this query should be on your previous post not in a new thread.

Many thanks for your reply. I came to the Scotland section as this was suggested on my other thread. I thought that i might get more suitable advice regarding this issue in the Scotland section. There was no malace behind this im just trying to see where i stand regarding having to attend court.

I have Intermittant Explosive Dissorder and its getting worse, my driving has been deteriorating since 2021. Its so bad i cant drive 1 mile to the shops without exploding at other drivers. I am too ashamed to tell you some of the things that have happened in my recent years of driving. Im not safe behind the wheel. My insurance expired a year ago and i no longer drive. I dont work due to my mental health problems and other health issues, i get PIP and UC with the uplift. I dont have a job and so i can get away with not driving.

Every time i use public transport it always ends in tears, there is so many annoying inconsideate people on public transport that i end up having very heated confrontations, i cant help myself, its very embarrassing but i cant avoid confronting these idiots. This has been happening for 4 or 5 years now. I turn into a vile and verbally abusive person and i hate doing this. I prefer not to travel anywhere because this problem is so serious.

I get bad travel sickness, when i recently returned to Manchester after my few days in police custody and being forced to go to the court in Glasgow, i was travelling by train and by bus, i was sick on the bus, i can be sick in a taxi, bus or train.

Basically im not safe to travel to Glasgow by any means.

To recap a cyclist cycled in front of my car when i was in start stop traffic, so my driving skills were not a factor in this instance.

[islandgirl]

I hope you get Scotland specific advice. In the meantime - do you have full documented medical evidence of the above issues and a doctor's letter saying you cannot attend?

[Rob1969]

I hope you get Scotland specific advice. In the meantime - do you have full documented medical evidence of the above issues and a doctor's letter saying you cannot attend?

I'm sorry for the late reply, this forum does not send me notifications. My current severe mental health has not yet been diagnosed, this means a doctor cannot write me a note regarding this. The last email i got, my lawyer is suggesting getting a professional assessment and this can also be charged against my legal aid too. I think getting the trial postponed until we get the assessment.

[islandgirl]

Your lawyer will have to ensure all applications are made before the initial court date in March

[Rob1969]

Your lawyer will have to ensure all applications are made before the initial court date in March

Thanks for your reply. There was a Pre-Intermediate Diet meeting on monday there, so i will phone today to get an update.

[Rob1969]

Good Evening

My lawyer forgot to attend the court on that particular day. She has said that i need to travel to Scotland to be assessed, i explained my mental health problem means that i cannot travel, she said she will speak with her seniors to see if there is another way i.e someone local.

[islandgirl]

Change your lawyer. They should not "forget". Request a heaing online.

[Rob1969]

Thanks for your reply. Im getting legal aid, im not sure if changing my lawyer is practical at this stage. I might ask about an online hearing .

[islandgirl]

OK - my court often does online hearings if you can say why you need it which you certainly could. Your lawyer can join onine too. This is in England however - don't know what happens in Scotland

[Rob1969]

OK - my court often does online hearings if you can say why you need it which you certainly could. Your lawyer can join onine too. This is in England however - don't know what happens in Scotland

ok many thanks for letting me know