Is This Grounds For An Appeal? (was Kicked Out Of Courtroom)
On Wednesday I attended court at 1530 Markham Road, courtroom E2, in order to fight my speeding ticket. My original plan was to plead not guilty, and to watch all the people who went before me, the process, the Prosecutor and the Justice Of The Peace so I could strategize and form the best plan for my defence at trial. I had done some research online and sort of knew I wanted to defend myself, but I wanted to see how the Justice Of The Peace and Prosecutor did things to before I made up my mind on a defence and was comfortable going to trial.
Not long after court started, my phone vibrated and I took a quick look. It wasn't even out of my pocket for 5 seconds. But the secretery (the one sitting in front of the Justice Of The Peace) yelled at me and asked me to leave the courtroom and go outside because I had my phone out. I said I was sorry and it had only been out for a second but she said she had already given 2 warnings about all cell phones and electronic devices being turned off and put away. I apologised to the Justice Of The Peace but the secretery told to leave again until I was called back in, and the Justice Of The Peace asked me to please follow directions. So I sat outside the courtroom. Later I was called back in but I had no idea what to expect in court since I had spent most of the time outside. The Justice Of The Peace, Prosecutor and secretery was staring at me, I said I was under pressure, the Justice Of The Peace asked me a bunch of questions and I felt so nervous and forced so I plead guilty to the lesser speed with no points, even though I said I was feeling pressured into it.
Now I feel as though I'm not guilty. I only plead guilty because I felt pressure because of all the questions and staring I had no idea what to do for a defence since I had been kicked out of court. The secretery had no authority to kick me out, and the JP should have stopped her. I want to appeal my case but I need to know if my reasons: 1) Feeling pressured and forced into pleading guilty 2) Being kicked out of a public courtroom on my trial date and not being allowed to watch court before my trial, are good grounds for an appeal. Thank-you in advance for all your help everyone!