Motoring Offences
We can assist you with legal advice and representation for a wide range of summary motoring offences.
- Speeding: We can advise on the best course of action, whether that’s accepting penalty points, attending a speed awareness course, or contesting the charge.
- Drink Driving: We can advise on the potential consequences of a drink driving conviction, including disqualification from driving, fines, and potential imprisonment. We can also represent you in court and assist with applications for an exceptional hardship licence.
- Drug Driving: We can advise on the legal implications of a drug driving charge, including the potential for disqualification, fines, and imprisonment. We can also represent you in court and assist with applications for special reasons.
- Careless/Dangerous Driving: We can advise on the potential consequences of careless or dangerous driving charges, including disqualification from driving, fines, and potential imprisonment. We can also represent you in court and assist with your defence.
- Driving While Disqualified: We can advise on the potential consequences of driving while disqualified, including imprisonment. We can also represent you in court and assist with any applications for exceptional hardship.
- Other Road Traffic Offences: We can advise on a range of other road traffic offences, including using a mobile phone while driving, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence.
Case Timeline
Understanding the Process:
We understand that every case is unique, and the specific timeline will vary depending on the individual circumstances. The following outlines the general key stages involved in a typical motoring offence case, assuming a guilty plea and a scheduled court hearing:
- Initial Consultation:
- Same-Day Availability: We can often offer same-day appointments via Zoom or phone for initial advice.
- Key Considerations: The availability of prosecution papers from the Crown Prosecution Service will significantly impact the timeline. They usually aim to provide these documents within 5 days before the first court hearing.
- Case Assessment and Advice:
- Initial Consultation: A comprehensive consultation with your solicitor to gather all relevant information and instructions.
- Case Review: We will carefully review all available information, including prosecution papers and any other relevant documents.
- Legal Analysis: A thorough legal analysis of your case will be conducted, considering all relevant factors.
- Plea and Mitigation Advice: We will provide expert advice on the most appropriate plea, potential mitigation strategies, and a realistic assessment of the likely sentence.
- Court Procedure Explained: We will clearly explain the court procedure, including what to expect on the day of the hearing and the sentencing options available to the court.
- Court Preparation and Representation:
- Pre-Court Preparations: We will undertake all necessary preparatory work, including gathering further instructions from you and addressing any questions you may have.
- Court Representation: A Specialist Solicitor will represent you in court. We will meet with you prior to the court hearing to finalize your case strategy.
- Court Time: The duration of the court hearing can vary significantly, from approximately one hour to a full day.
- Post-Hearing Support:
- Outcome Report: You will receive a written report summarizing the court’s decision and providing initial advice on any potential appeal options.
Important Note:
- Court Scheduling: The actual court hearing date and time are determined by the court’s listing, which can vary significantly depending on the court’s workload and the priority assigned to your case.
Legal Costs:
We will always provide you with a clear and transparent fee estimate before we commence any work. For motoring offences, we can offer competitive fixed fees for advice or court representation.
All fees is subject to VAT which is set at 20%.
For all Summary offences:
Guilty Plea: £600 (£500 + VAT)
Not Guilty Plea including Trial: From £1,200 (£1,000 + VAT) to £1,800 (£1,500 +VAT). Our fees are dependent upon the complexity of the case. An initial discussion of the details of your matter would assist us in determining the appropriate fee.
Disbursements: In addition to our legal fees, you may incur disbursements such as the cost of obtaining medical reports, expert witness reports on blood alcohol or drug content, or expert reports on traffic accidents
Factors Influencing Costs:
The exact cost of your representation will depend on several factors, including:
- The specific charge(s) you face: Different offences carry varying levels of complexity and potential penalties, impacting the time and expertise required.
- The location of the court: Court locations can influence travel time and potential expenses for our solicitors.
- Sentencing guidelines: Understanding the starting point for sentencing in your case helps us assess the potential scope and duration of the court proceedings.
- Your intended plea: A guilty plea generally results in quicker proceedings and potentially lower fees compared to a not-guilty plea, which may require more extensive preparation and court appearances.
- Anticipated length of the hearing: The estimated duration of the court hearing significantly impacts the time our solicitors will need to dedicate to your case.
- Level of solicitor representation: You may have the option to choose the level of solicitor representation that best suits your needs and budget.