Driving Defence For Drink Driving For Drug Driving For Driving Ban For Special Hardship For Young Drivers
Facing a driving offense can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Our team specialises in defending individuals charged with all types of motoring offenses.
Whether you’ve been accused of a motoring offence, arrested, charged, released on bail, or are under investigation, it’s crucial to reach out to our expert solicitors as soon as possible to safeguard your future.
We understand the significance of your driving license and the potential impact of its loss on your job, home, and personal life. At our well established solicitor’s firm, our team of experienced qualified lawyers is dedicated to providing clear advice and robust legal support. Regardless of the severity of the offense, seeking the right legal support early on is crucial. Our expert solicitors are ready to offer immediate legal advice and support, aiming to help you avoid charges, secure acquittal, or minimise penalties for driving offenses. With our detailed knowledge of motoring law and vast experience, you can trust that your case is in dedicated hands, receiving clear advice in plain English to keep you informed about your case’s progress.
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Speak to our driving offence solicitors today.
Drink Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol can lead to severe penalties, including fines, mandatory driving bans, and even imprisonment in the most serious cases.
The severity of the penalty depends on individual circumstances and whether it is a first offense. For instance, being found guilty of being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit may result in a three-month prison sentence, a £2,500 fine, and a driving ban. In contrast, a drink driving offense as serious as causing death while under the influence could lead to 14 years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and a driving ban of at least two years. Participation in a drink-driving rehabilitation scheme (DDRS) course may help reduce the penalty for a drink driving offence
Drug Driving
Under UK law, it is illegal to drive if you are unfit due to legal or illegal drugs, regardless of your driving standard. If convicted, penalties include a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, a six-month prison sentence, and a criminal record. The law also covers prescription medicines, and driving with legal drugs that impair your driving is an offense. There is zero-tolerance for drug driving, and even trace amounts can lead to prosecution. The penalties for drug driving are severe, and seeking legal advice is crucial when facing such charges.
Failing To Name Driver
Failing to identify the driver of a vehicle when requested by the police or another authorised person is a criminal offense. The law holds the registered keeper of the vehicle responsible for providing details to identify the driver alleged to have committed a motoring offence.
Conviction for failing to name or identify a driver could result in a maximum fine of £1,000, six penalty points on the driving license, or a full revocation of the license for new drivers. It is important to seek legal advice when facing such charges to understand the legal implications and potential defences.
12 Points On Your Licence
If you accumulate 12 or more penalty points within three years, you can face a driving disqualification.
The length of the ban is determined by the court based on the seriousness of the offenses.
- 6 months, if you get 12 or more penalty points within 3 years.
- 12 months, if you get a second disqualification within 3 years.
- 2 years, if you get a third disqualification within 3 years.
Driving While Disqualified
Driving while serving a disqualification is a criminal offense that can result in extended driving bans or, in more serious cases, a prison sentence. Defences to driving while disqualified are often limited, emphasising the importance of seeking legal representation to avoid prosecution or receive a reduced penalty. The consequences of driving while disqualified can be severe, and seeking legal advice is crucial when facing such charges.
Driving While Using A Mobile
The law is very clear on the use of mobile phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data while driving or riding a motorcycle, and could lead to 6 points on your licence and a £200 fine.
The fixed penalty for careless driving is £100 with 3 points on the driver’s licence. More serious examples such as careless driving, the punishments may be more severe will continue to go through court, where offenders may face higher penalties.
Careless And Reckless Driving
Careless driving involves disregarding traffic rules, such as running a red light, and can result in fines, points on the licence, or community service. In extreme cases, it can lead to more serious charges, such as causing death by careless driving, with penalties including community service or up to 4 years’ custody.
Reckless driving, on the other hand, is more serious and involves knowingly operating a vehicle in a hazardous manner, with penalties potentially including jail time and licence suspension. It’s important to consult a legal professional if facing either of these charges, as consequences can vary based on the specific circumstances and jurisdiction.
Dangerous Driving
Dangerous driving occurs when a driver’s standard of driving falls far below what is expected of a competent and careful driver. This may include actions such as speeding, ignoring road signs, overtaking dangerously, or knowingly driving a vehicle with a dangerous fault.
Dangerous driving is a serious offense in itself, but causing death by dangerous driving can lead to very severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 14 years.
Expert criminal defence is required in these situations to prove that the driving was not dangerous or did not contribute to the death.
Exceptional Hardship
An exceptional hardship is what can be submitted by you, as a defendant, as part of your plea in court to retain a driving license, following the accumulation of 12 or more penalty points.
An exceptional hardship plea will typically contain any information you can provide on how a driving ban will impact your life beyond a level that might normally be expected.
Our driving offence solicitors can work alongside you to submit an exceptional hardship argument, putting forward a sufficient case that justifies keeping hold of your licence.
Qualifying For Special Reasons
In certain cases, exceptional circumstances may have led to a driving offense, known as ‘special reasons.’ Successfully presenting special reasons can result in a lighter penalty or no penalty at all.
Examples of special reasons may include:
- Situations where your drink was laced or spiked.
- An emergency situation, or being misled into believing you were insured to drive.
Seeking legal advice to review your individual case and determine if presenting a special reasons argument would be beneficial is advisable.
Speak to our driving offence solicitors today.
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