If you've received a notice from the police to attend court for driving offences, you probably have asked yourself, "Do I need a Solicitor for a Driving Offence?". In this article, you will learn the benefits of consulting a driving offence solicitor.
Facing a court trial can be tedious and stressful. Having an expert by your side can provide security and reduce stress. Here is a list of the things that your driving solicitor can do for you:
Explain your rights
This is the primary reason for getting expert advice. Your rights are protected under the law, and your solicitor should be able to explain them to you in simple terms.
Tell you whether you have a defence or not
Before you think of challenging a case, think of the possible repercussions if you get it wrong. Your solicitor should know whether your case has a defence to the charge you face and advise on the court process and your chances of an acquittal/having the case dismissed.
There are times you might want to plead guilty, thinking that the case against you is strong. But sometimes there can be factors in your case that could change everything for the better and lead to dismissal or acquittal.
Discuss Special Reasons
To avoid a compulsory driving ban, it is possible to use "special reasons" in certain circumstances. "Special reasons" reflect extenuating circumstances. Examples of circumstances that could be taken into consideration could be the shortness of distance driven, the fact for example that you had no insurance through no fault of yours or, because there was an emergency & you drove only for a short distance. It is possible that a ban may not be imposed on you and penalty points might not be added to your license.
Prepare your case for trial
If after consideration of your options, you decide to plead not guilty, your solicitor can prepare your case. Preparation involves listening to you, collecting statements from witnesses, communicating with the Crown Prosecution Service, drafting your arguments, et cetera.
Guide you through the court trial
Your driving offence solicitor will help guide you through every step of a court case. Hiring someone who knows what to do is essential so that everything goes smoothly during this potentially confusing process. If you have been through any court hearing, you probably know how important it is to have an expert by your side.
Communicate with the Prosecutors on your behalf
Your solicitor can communicate to the Crown Prosecution Service on your behalf, before or after the court hearing. This will certainly help you get the best possible outcome.
Represent you in court
Court proceedings are formal and, if you are unfamiliar with them, potentially intimidating. It's important to be represented by a specialist driving offence solicitor who knows how to present special reasons or circumstances that can often get a penalty reduced or, avoid you being banned from driving. In the event that you are convicted your solicitor can appeal to the court regarding the imposed penalty.
Explain the Sentencing Guidelines if you plead guilty or convicted
The sentencing guidelines can be found here, and you might get a good idea of the likely sentence by reading them yourself. Your solicitor knows how courts interpret these guidelines and is often able to give an estimate with some accuracy - which will depend on your circumstances.
Help you get character references and letters
Character references and their letters are worth considering when you plead guilty or get convicted. Excellent character references often persuade the court to give a more lenient sentence.
Final thoughts
Defending yourself in court can be daunting. A specialist driving offence solicitor can advise on the most appropriate course of action. Regardless of the type of driving offence you are facing, contact me on 0151 601 3743 for a free initial consultation.
