Motoring Offences

Motoring Offences

Motoring or driving related offences can range from minor offences like speeding to very serious offences like causing death by dangerous driving. However we appreciate that even minor offences can be very significant to the individual and can have a profound effect on personal life and employment when a license is affected. We regularly represent individuals charged with these types of offences and our experienced team of advocates are very familiar with the special challenges and complications that can arise. It is our aim to make the process as painless as possible and to explain matters and guide you through your options as clearly as we can to resolve your case as economically and efficiently as possible.

Types of Common Offences

Speeding

There are various offences relating to speeding, dependant on whether it was alleged to have occurred on a restricted road, through a fixed or temporary speed restriction, on a motorway or because the vehicle itself carries a limit (eg. goods vehicles, coaches or when towing caravans).

Things to consider:

Have you been told or received a letter explaining the intent to prosecute?
Were you the driver?
Do you think the alleged speed is correct?
Was it a police hand-held laser gun, a camera or a police sighting?
Are there any speed limitation signs on that stretch of road?
Was it an emergency situation?
Do you have any witnesses to what happened?
Do you intent to plead guilty by post?

Sentencing is normally to a fine and between 3 and 6 points depending on circumstances but, in the most serious cases, the court can consider a ban.

Legal Aid is not normally available for this offence but we usually provide advice, assistance and representation at court for a single fixed fee. Please call to discuss the needs of your particular circumstances.

Drink or Drug Driving

Whether you are over the limit as a result of alcohol consumption or the new drug testing suggests that you have consumed something that could impair your driving, you are now facing the immediate loss of your and therefore, by their nature, these offences have serious implications for your immediate future. However this is not always the case and there are sometimes special reasons why you should not lose your license even if you are over the limit.

Things to consider:

Were you actually driving or in charge of the vehicle?
Was the vehicle on a road or public place?
Do the circumstances make the reading sound implausible?
Are their health reasons why you struggled with the procedure?
Had you consumed the drink or drugs after you had finished driving?
Was there an emergency?
Did someone put something in your drink without you knowing?
Did the vehicle move only a very short distance?

Sentencing often depends on how far over the limit you were found to be but, unless there are certain special reasons not to, always results in a ban of at least 12 months. It could also include a fine, unpaid work in the community or in the most serious cases a short prison sentence.

Legal Aid is often granted in these cases, subject to a means test, and we would be happy to guide you through the application to ensure that your defence costs are covered in this way. Please call to discuss the needs of your particular circumstances.

Documentary Offences

Perhaps you have not returned the form you received in the post which asked you to name the driver at the time of an incident, or you haven’t passed on your insurance details after an accident. Maybe you had no insurance or it has run out or been invalidated for some reason. Have you forgotten to pay your Road Tax or is the vehicle’s MOT out of date? Was your license only provisional and you didn’t have “L” plates or a qualified driver with you?

Things to consider:

Could your vehicle be exempt from MOT or Road Tax?
When did you receive the papers?
Are the vehicle details recorded correctly?
Were you driving a company vehicle for work?
Was there an administrative error with the insurance renewal?
Is your license issued in a foreign jurisdiction?

Sentencing for these offences is restricted to a fine, although license offences and insurance offences also attract between 6 and 8 points and for serious or repeated offending they can sometimes also involve a ban.

Mobile Phones

With the rise of smart phones, more and more of our lives involve the use of hand held electronic devices: from diary alerts, texts and calls, to internet surfing, music, cameras and satellite navigation. Inevitably these distractions can cause problems whilst driving and it is very common to be prosecuted for doing so.

Things to consider:

Was the vehicle being driven at the time?
Was the device actually being used?
Was it an emergency?
Was it unsafe or impractical (for example for the supervisor of a learner driver) to cease driving first?

Sentencing for this offence is to a fine and 3 points, although the court does have the discretion to disqualify in the most extreme cases.

Careless or Dangerous Driving

These types of offences could be as momentary as hitting the curb whilst changing the radio channel or as sustained as driving along a footpath and killing a pedestrian. They cover a huge variety of circumstances, possibilities and harm but they are all judged on whether and by how much the standard of your driving fell below that of a reasonably competent and careful driver.

Things to consider:

What actually happened?
Are there any independent witnesses?
Was any mechanical fault or defect known beforehand?
Who was responsible for the maintenance of the car?
Was there a medical reason for the manner of the driving?
Was the driving as part of a sporting event?
Was there an emergency?
Was there a reasonable alternative available?
Was the incident caused by something other than the vehicle or the manner of its being driven?

The maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is 14 years imprisonment, along with a ban and points, but these offences can range to very minor incidents of careless driving resulting in a fine and between 3 and 9 points.

Disqualified Driving

This is one of the more serious offences, in so much as it is a failure to comply with a court order, and the sentencing can be tough as a result.

Things to consider:

When and where was the ban imposed?
Was there an emergency?
Were you the driver?
Were you aware of the ban?
Was there a problem getting your license back at the end of the banned period?

Sentences are often community penalties of unpaid work with either 6 points or an extension to the period of the ban but, for a second or subsequent offence, a custodial sentence is likely. Mitigation is very important and we offer comprehensive assistance to help you minimise the outcome in your case.

Other Matters

Should you have been summonsed for a different offence, such as failing to stop at a red light, parking or obstruction, forged documents, vehicle interference or driving with mechanical defects, do please give us a call and we will be happy to discuss your particular needs, and how we may assist you.

Costs

The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires solicitors to publish on their website their costs in relation to certain work which includes road traffic offences in the Magistrates’ Court. Birds Solicitors provides advice and representation in relation to all traffic matters on the provision of the below fee structure.

Our hourly rate is £300 inclusive of VAT at 20% for all work provided by the assigned solicitor, with letters, emails and calls charged at £30 per item (inc VAT). Letters/emails are only charged if they are of substance or progress the case. A typical case including a single court attendance can range between £1500 and £3600 including VAT. Appeals to the Crown Court are charged at the same rate but tend to be a little more expensive, with a range between £3600 and £9600 including VAT or more.

We are aware how quickly costs can escalate and we try to incorporate matters into a fixed fee payment structure where possible to provide clarity and confidence in the service we provide. Below is set out the types of assistance we provide and what is, and is not, included in each fee. All of the fixed fees apply to standard cases of their type and if there is an unusually complicated or technical element to your matter we may look to charge an hourly rate at our discretion. We will discuss this with you at the initial consultation stage and proceed only by signed agreement.

Initial advice/consultation
We will speak with you about your case and set out what you should consider
£180 including VAT

Includes
• Initial telephone advice
• Review of documents and consideration of evidence and law
• a face to face meeting for up to 30 minutes
• advice in relation to plea and/or likely sentence
• advising on procedure, options and next steps

Does not include
• written advice
• preparation of any documentation for court
• communication with any 3rd parties
• any court fees, third party costs or other charges
• assistance to complete any forms
• representation at court

Written submissions, representations or mitigation
In some circumstances we may advise writing to the prosecutor in advance of a hearing or for more minor offences you may wish to submit a written account to the court rather than attending in person, either in consideration of sentencing or other compelling argument.
£600 including VAT

Includes
• initial consultation over the telephone or in person
• consideration of documentation
• advising you as to plea and/or sentence
• advising you regarding your collection of supporting evidence/witnesses
• completion of any relevant forms
• preparation of the submissions or letter in mitigation
• advice regarding any reply where appropriate

Does not include
• representation at court
• communication with any third parties
• any court fees, third party costs or other charges

Attendance at court for guilty plea and/or sentencing, argument against disqualification or application to remove a ban early
Some cases will need detailed and careful argument in court to achieve your best result.
£1200 including VAT

Includes
• initial consultation over the telephone or in person
• consideration of the documentation
• advising you as to plea and/or likely sentence
• advising you on technical aspects and legal submissions
• advice regarding ‘special reasons’ or exceptional hardship arguments
• advising you regarding supporting evidence and/or witnesses
• preparing your ‘proof of evidence’ statement
• preparation of witness statements for third parties
• liaising with prosecution regarding level of allegations
• completion of any necessary forms
• representation at court
• seeking specialist advice from a barrister if the case requires
• briefing and liaising with a barrister to represent you if the case so requires
• all barrister’s fees and travel costs

Does not include
• additional hearings. Only one hearing is covered and further hearings are charged at £500 plus VAT each
• any work associated with an appeal or the appeal process
• any court fees, third party costs or other charges. These are additional payments as may be required in your circumstances

Attendance at court for a ½ day trial or Newton Hearing (sentencing involving the cross examination of witness evidence)
Assistance to challenge the case against you in court
£1800 including VAT

Attendance at Court for a full day trial
Assistance to challenge a more complicated case in court
£2400 including VAT

Does not include
• additional hearings. Only one hearing is covered and further hearings are charged at £600 including VAT each
• any work associated with an appeal or the appeal process
• any court fees, third party costs or other charges. These are additional payments as may be required in your circumstances

If you are interested in instructing Birds Solicitors, or would like a free initial telephone call to discuss your position and requirements, please telephone 02088747433 and ask for Nick Goss.

Call Today:

Emergency Out of Hours:

Motoring Offences