Criminal Defence Fees (including Motoring Offences)
Further information on Criminal Defence Assistance can be found Here
Motoring Offence Fees FAQ
Are there any Disbursements in addition to your fees and, if so, how much do they cost?
In the majority of Motoring Offence cases, no disbursements are required. However, if your case involves a technical element, we will need to consider obtaining a report from an expert specialising in that field. Examples of this would include obtaining a report completing a back calculation on alcohol and drug consumption to challenge when and if you may have been over the legal limit. Another example is that of an accident reconstruction expert who could review reports, measurements, and photos from the scene of the accident and make their own calculations as to the speed and road positions of the parties involved.
There are various other specialists we could approach for a report, and we may also need to access your medical records. Expert’s reports can be very expensive. For a simple report, not requiring a site inspection or conference the cost is likely to be £600-1000 inclusive of VAT. For a more complex report, requiring more hours of preparation, the expert could charge £2000 including VAT or more. Due to the many variations in reports, this firm will provide you with a quote from an expert tailored to your case and your individual needs (if your case is one of the minority that needs one) at the outset.
What are the usual Key Stages in a Motoring Offence?
The Key Stages in a Motoring Offence can vary depending on the nature of the offence and when you seek legal assistance. In general terms, the matter will start with an investigation stage by the police, often with an interview at the police station. You are entitled to representation during a police interview and this firm are specialists in providing you with such legal advice. The matter will then be reviewed by the police, perhaps in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). There may be further investigations required or further interviews. Once enquiries are complete the police and/or the CPS will decide whether charges should be brought.
This firm would of course make appropriate representations regarding charges on your behalf. These charges will commence in a Magistrates Court with the most serious offences (death be dangerous driving for example) proceeding to the Crown Court. In either venue, you would have the option to plead not guilty or guilty. If the latter, the matter would move to sentencing (the level of which would depend on the offence). If the former, you would have a trial and if acquitted, that would be the end of the matter. If you were found guilty, the matter would move to sentencing as before. Please note, this is a very brief overview of the pathway of Motoring Offences from the incident, through the police station stage to court. This firm will give you a full outline as to the process and pathway of your individual case and guide you through it.
What are the time scales in Motoring Offences?
These can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of the incident and the seriousness of the allegation. In some cases, the police will notify you they wish to speak to you and ask you to attend the police station as a volunteer. Once you have attended for interview, it is not unusual for it to be three to six months before a decision is made as to whether any charges are to follow, or no further action taken. If charges were to follow, you could receive a postal summons to the Magistrates Court for a date which is usually two to four weeks after the letter arrives.
In the alternative, if you are taken to the police station after the incident, you would normally be interviewed with 12 to 24 hours. The police could then (amongst other options) release you without charge, bail you to return or charge you and remand you to court the next day for the most serious offences. If your case is to move from the Magistrates Court to Crown Court, the adjournment will usually be four weeks. Thereafter the Crown Court will set an individual time frame to your matter. As the time scales can vary from days to many months, this firm will outline which it is likely to be in your matter and keep you updated throughout.