Road Traffic Offences
Most drivers at some point will encounter the criminal justice system for what is usually a minor road traffic offence, for example speeding.
Despite the fact that these offences can be minor, they can sometimes have far reaching consequences for the driver resulting in disqualification and the loss of their driving licence.
It is therefore important that you obtain specialist advice in relation to such matters to try and ensure the best possible outcome for you. Driving may not only affect you and your employment but could have far reaching consequences for your family so it is important to get specialist advice.
If you have received a summons or notice of intended prosecution you should contact us immediately for advice and representation.
How Can we Help?
If you have been summonsed to court, our specialist litigators and advocates can advise you as to the likely outcome of your case and the potential consequences.
Motoring offences are governed by strict procedures and rules. It is very important that these requirements and procedures are followed by the police.
There are often very strict time limits in relation to road traffic offences and a failure to adhere to those time limits can result in a case being withdrawn or discontinued.
The most common offences dealt with by our team are:
- Speeding
- Drink driving
- Careless driving
- Mobile phone offences
- Dangerous driving
- Driving without insurance
- Driving in accordance of a licence
- Failing to stop and report an accident
- Driving whilst disqualified
- Failure to give identification of the driver (Section 172 Notice)
We have years of experience dealing with this type of case and our is are not limited to the advice you are given and representation in court but skilful negotiation with the prosecution.
Negotiation with the prosecutor can result in cases being withdrawn or discontinued and in some cases reduced in your favour his is something that is often overlooked when considering self-representation.
Are You At Risk Of Disqualification?
The disqualification of driving can be more than simply inconvenient. It can detrimentally effect your life to such an extent that it could affect your employment. This could have a negative impact upon your family and your own situation and therefore potentially challenging a disqualification is hugely important.
Our experiences advocates can make well-reasoned arguments on your behalf to persuade a court to not disqualify and for you to keep your licence
The Motoring Team
Nick Ward and Hannah Eddison are experienced criminal defence lawyers and have dealt with hundreds of motoring cases. Our advocates can make legally sound and thoughtful submissions as well as negotiate on your behalf to successfully deal with your case.
Please contact us for any advice you require and for transparency of cost please see our fees.
Contact us on 01302 341243 or Contact Us
Motoring Offences Fixed Fees
Our standard hourly rate is £210+VAT (£42.00) however we do offer fixed fees which can provide you with certainty of cost.
What does my fee include?
- Considering the police and prosecution evidence;
- Taking your instructions
- Providing advice on your plea and likely sentence
- Obtaining and drafting witness statements
- Explaining the Court procedure
- Instructing and arranging Experts (Please note expert fees are a separate disbursement)
- Advocacy including cross examination of any prosecution witnesses
| Service | Cost | Cost inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
|
Hourly Rate |
£210.00 + VAT |
£252.00 |
|
Travel Hourly Rate |
£100.00 + VAT |
£120.00 |
|
Initial Hour Consultation |
£175.00 + VAT |
£210.00 |
|
Guilty Plea First Hearing |
£300 + VAT |
£360.00 |
| Sentencing Hearing |
£200 + VAT |
£240.00 |
|
Exceptional Hardship |
£500.00 - £750.00 + VAT |
From £600.00 to £900.00 |
|
Special Reasons |
£500.00 - £750.00 + VAT |
From £600.00 to £900.00 |
|
Not Guilty Plea First Hearing |
£300.00 - £500 + VAT |
From £360.00 to £600.00 |
|
Half Day Trial |
£750.00 + VAT |
£900.00 |
|
Full Day Trial |
£1000.00 + VAT |
£1200.00 |
Please note the fixed fees do not include any disbursements and travel.
Disbursements include mileage charged at 0.45 per mile.
Travel will be charged at of £100+VAT (£20.00) £120 per hour.
No travel will be charged for cases at Doncaster Magistrates Court.
1 Hour Advice Appointment
Sometimes you may only require an advice appointment and not need any further representation. At such an appointment we will discuss your case, advise you and confirm any advice in writing.
The fee for such an appointment is of £175 +VAT (£35.00) = Total: £210.00
This may be all the advice you need but if you require further advice or representation we will discuss with you any potential further costs.
Guilty Plea
The fixed fee for advice and representation for a guilty plea at the first hearing is £300.00 + VAT (£60.00) = Total: £360.00.
If the case is adjourned for sentence then we will charge a further fee of £200 + VAT (£40.00) = Total: £240.00 for the sentencing hearing.
Please note that these costs relate to Doncaster Magistrates Court and we reserve the right to charge travel at £100+Vat(£20) per hour to other Courts.
Exceptional Hardship
Losing your driving licence can be extremely detrimental to your work or family life.
In some cases we will be able to argue exceptional hardship exists and therefore the Court should not disqualify you.
A fee between £500.00 + VAT (£100.00) and £750+VAT (£150.00) will be the cost for such a hearing.
Please note that these costs relate to Doncaster Magistrates Court and we reserve the right to charge travel at £100+Vat(£20) per hour to other Courts.
Special Reasons
There is an fee of between £500.00 +VAT (£100.00) £750+VAT (£150.00) for a special reasons argument.
Special reasons are when your advocate will seek to persuade the Court that special reasons exist for you not to be disqualified.
These can be argued in cases of drink and drug driving which carry a mandatory disqualification.
We can advise you as to whether special reasons exist in your case and if such an argument is worth pursuing.
Not Guilty Plea and Trial
The fixed fee for representation at the first hearing for a not guilty plea is between £300+Vat (£60.00) = Total £360.00 and £500 + VAT (£100.00) = Total: £600.00.
This will depend on the complexity of the case and volume of the prosecution evidence.
Further costs to prepare the case for trial will be dependent on the complexity of the case but will be £750 + VAT (£150.00) = Total : £900.00 for a half day trial and £1000 + VAT (£200.00) = Total £1200.00 for a full day trial.
Time Scales
Guilty Plea – In most cases when a guilty plea is entered the case will conclude on the day of the first hearing. If there are any complexities in the case that require an adjournment, for example for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, the case will usually conclude within 4 – 6 weeks. It is dependent upon the Court’s listing availability.
Not Guilty Plea – Most contested cases will conclude within a 4 – 6 month period in South Yorkshire, whether this is if the case is adjourned for trial or for a special reasons/exceptional hardship argument. This time scale may vary in other areas of the country.
Timescales for cases to be heard in the Magistrates’ Court can vary, and the average current listing time in South Yorkshire is between 4 – 6 months. In light of this we cannot give you a specific date and time for your future hearing but it would usually be within 4 – 6 months from the date of the first hearing. The date for any future hearing will be fixed at the first hearing.
As indicated above it is at the discretion of the Court as to when and where a case will be listed, however they will listen to representations from us to accommodate your availability.
We will aim to give a more accurate expectation of timescale when initially discussing your case as listing times can reduce or increase dependent upon the Court’s availability.
Contact us on 01302 341243 or Contact Us