Road Traffic Defence
This may be the only experience you ever have of the Criminal Justice System.
The accumulation of penalty points or a conviction for a drink-related offence can have far-reaching effects such as the loss of your livelihood, a change in your personal circumstances and in some cases the loss of your liberty.
We will ensure a streamlined professional yet personal approach in all matters including:
- Penalty points and totting up disqualifications, including exceptional hardship arguments
- Drink or drug related driving offences
- Failure to provide driver details
- Driving without due care and attention/dangerous driving
- Using a mobile telephone whilst driving
- Speeding
- Application to restore a driving licence following a drink-driving conviction
Call us on 01484 302 800 to obtain a quote for representation.
In most cases you are unlikely to obtain legal aid for driving offences which are “summary only” – i.e. they can only be heard in the Magistrates Court.
These include:
- Drink or drug related driving offences
- Failure to provide driver details
- Driving without due care and attention
- Using a mobile telephone whilst driving
- Speeding
- Driving without insurance
- Failure to provide a specimen
- Failing to stop after an accident
- Driving otherwise in accordance with a licence
For some of these offences you may be eligible for legal aid depending on the circumstances – please contact us to discuss in the first instance.
Our fees:
Initial consultation to take your instructions and advise you on the best course of action: £175 + VAT (this will be deducted from any further fees if you go on to instruct us).
Single hearing only at Kirklees Magistrates Court £500 + VAT.
Single hearing only at any other court in West Yorkshire £750 + VAT.
(For other court locations please call us for a quote).
Fee includes:
Up to 2 hours attendance/preparation – considering evidence, taking your instructions and providing advice including likely sentence if convicted.
Attendance at a SINGLE hearing at the Magistrates Court (Not trial).
The fee does not include:
Instruction of any expert witnesses.
Taking statements from any witnesses.
Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons or exceptional hardship hearing.
Advice and assistance in relation to an appeal.
The key stages of your matter (presuming that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your sentencing hearing (not trial of issue)) are as follows:
- Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
- We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and give advice.
- Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, of £100 + VAT per witness).
- We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court.
- We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
- We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
- We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day subject to Court listing arrangements
- We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.