If you are a driver, it is likely that during your lifetime you are likely to face some sort of prosecution or intended prosecution relating to the use of a motor vehicle. This may range from a fairly minor speeding offence to more serious offences such as driving with excess alcohol, dangerous driving and possibly even causing death by careless or dangerous driving.
The law relating to motoring offences is vastly complicated and many law firms are not experienced in dealing with such matters, despite their claim to be so.
Sheppards Solicitors specialise in motoring offences and have done so for many years. Our specialist motor offence lawyers regularly appear in the Magistrates Court and Crown Court in connection with all kinds of driving related matters.
We offer professional legal advice, information and representation for a range of motoring offences including careless driving, dangerous driving, speeding, speeding disqualification and drink driving.
Other offences, such as speeding, can often be considered trivial and are often routinely, if reluctantly, accepted as fixed penalties. Many cases can, however, be extremely complex for the police to prove. We are often able to provide expert advice that may save your driving licence.
If you have been charged with any road traffic related offence or have been served a Notice of Intended Prosecution, it is important that you are represented by a solicitor. We will do everything to significantly improve the likelihood you will avoid a driving disqualification and, even if you plead guilty, minimise any driving penalties you incur.
Pleading Not Guilty
We will work closely together to ensure your case is properly prepared for trial and your defence is robustly advanced.
Where necessary and appropriate, we will instruct experts on your behalf to challenge the evidence presented against you.
We will thoroughly advise you of the Court process and what to expect to minmise the experience of appearing in Court and if appropriate, giving evidence.
Pleading Guilty
We will help you prepare for your sentencing hearing, when your plea in mitigation is presented.
We will negotiate with the prosecution any basis of plea and advance your case.
Totting Up
You may face a disqualification as a result of the number of points that you have on your licence, this is sometimes referred to as “totting up”. If at any time during a three year period you have 12 or more points on your licence the Court must consider imposing a driving ban for at least 6 months unless you are able to persuade the Court that you will suffer “exceptional hardship”. We can assist in presenting your exceptional hardship argument to the court.
Our team of experts will guide you through your case from start to finish, providing detailed, comprehensive and fully confidential information at every stage.