It can be hard to challenge the facts of many motoring offences, but a specialist defence with an expertly presented mitigation by an experienced lawyer will significantly limit the damage.
What types of motoring and drink-driving offences end up in court?
Minor road offences can often be dealt with using a fixed penalty notice and sometimes a rehabilitation course as an alternative to getting points. But serious or repeat offences will usually result in a court hearing. These include dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a licence or insurance, drink-driving or failing to provide a specimen among others.
Choose a solicitor who specialises in motoring and drink-driving cases
Stryders specialises in defending drivers accused of serious motoring offences such as drink-driving. Our team is well-versed in the many specialised defence and mitigation arguments which can mean the difference between keeping your licence or walking away with a much-reduced sentence.
Our specialist solicitors will advise you clearly on your options and accompany you to interviews and court hearings, making sure you don’t miss an opportunity to improve the outcome in your case. We work proactively with you to explore all the options for safeguarding your licence and livelihood.
All our discussions are confidential, and we can visit you at home, at another convenient location, in prison or in custody if necessary.
What to do next if…
An allegation has been made
Contact us as soon as you’re aware of an allegation, even if you have not been arrested or asked to attend the police station voluntarily. This puts you in the best possible position as it means we can take urgent steps to secure evidence if necessary.
You have been arrested or asked to attend a police station for a voluntary interview
Don’t be tempted to talk to the police, even to deny the allegation, without taking good legal advice, as statements made in the early stages can have a huge impact on the outcome of the case. We offer 24/7 police station assistance. Ask for Stryders by name at the police station. It’s free and we will represent you during your interview.
You have been asked to attend court
If you do not already have a solicitor to represent you, now is the time to contact us urgently. We will prepare your case and represent you at magistrates’ court, crown court or the Court of Appeal. Where necessary, we can instruct a barrister on your behalf and will always liaise with you throughout the process.
Key facts about motoring and drink-drive offences
- For people who rely on their licence for their work, family or social life, being found guilty of a serious road traffic offence can be life-altering. It can result in a disqualification, fine and even imprisonment. Even receiving penalty points can have far-reaching consequences for people who need a clean licence for their job. Early, specialist legal representation is vital. Call Stryders for immediate legal advice before speaking with police or attending court. In certain cases, our specialist lawyers can persuade the courts that there are special reasons not to disqualify you.
- Serious motoring offence cases can be highly technical and complicated so do not be tempted to manage your defence yourself. If you are charged with drink-driving, the time between leaving the police station and going to court can be very short, only a matter of days. The sooner you speak to Stryders the better as we can prepare your defence case quickly and support you in court. We have particular expertise in the expert presentation of a range of special defences available for some offences which can greatly reduce the potential sentence.
- If you are stopped by the police, failing to provide a specimen when requested by an officer can result in a harsher sentence than if you had been prosecuted for drink-driving and it could be harder to get your licence back, as you may be considered a high-risk offender (HRO). The police will not delay or wait for you to get legal advice before giving a specimen but do contact Stryders as soon as you can if you find yourself in this situation. There’s nearly always something we can do to improve it.
- Even in the case of a ban, you may even be able to secure a significant reduction if you voluntarily offer to take part in a drink-drive rehabilitation course at the right time. You cannot offer to do this after your hearing. Your Stryders solicitor will make sure you don’t miss out on this one-time opportunity if it is available to you, and will make sure you use it to your maximum advantage.
Advice for people facing a motoring or drink-drive charge
In the case of some motoring offences, such as drink-driving, it is likely you will be arrested and taken to the police station immediately, and your car impounded. People in the car with you may also be taken to the station for testing and questioning.
It is very important to comply with the police requests to give samples at the roadside and at the station, as failing to give a specimen is a serious offence in its own right. However, do not be tempted to say anything in your defence at this stage, as any early statements, even a denial, could limit your options later on.
Always take legal advice. It’s your right and everyone, irrespective of their financial means, is entitled to a solicitor at the police station.
If you or someone you know is at the police station already or has been asked to attend the police station for a voluntary interview contact us or ask for Stryders by name at the station. Stryders’ defence specialists are available 24/7 and will support you at the police station completely FREE. We will find out as much as we can about the case against you and then discuss your circumstances with you in private before you go in for your official interview
Specialist support for children and young people facing motoring or drink-drive charges
Stryders have a lot of expertise in supporting young people, many of whom are first time offenders. We are also a member of the Youth Justice Legal Centre.
Specialist legal support for people facing a motoring or drink-drive charge
We understand how you feel
Many people facing motoring offences will not have dealt with the criminal justice system before and could find the situation very stressful and daunting. Our specialist lawyers are sympathetic and non-judgemental. You will be assigned a named legal expert who will have access to all the expertise in our wider team and will work you in a completely discreet and confidential way.
You’ll get the best legal advice for your situation
All our specialist solicitors are highly respected among both the police and the justice system. They will work proactively and closely with you on the specific elements of your case and present options to bring the case to the best possible conclusion. This includes liaising with the police, making sure you are kept informed of what’s happening and providing continued clear advice and robust guidance.
You’ll have access to representation 24/7
We work tirelessly to ensure all relevant evidence is disclosed to us and thoroughly reviewed to bring matters to a speedy termination wherever possible and are available to support you at a police interview 24/7. If necessary, we will take steps to secure evidence or commission expert witnesses to support your defence. If the case reaches court, we will represent you in any hearings. Our higher court lawyers have experience in representing people all the way up to the Court of Appeal and we can instruct a barrister where necessary.
We travel anywhere from London and the SouthEast to nationally
Our expert assistance extends to anywhere in the country. You can come to one of our offices in St Albans, Leighton Buzzard or Stevenage, or we can visit you at a neutral location or in prison or in custody if necessary.
Competitive legal fees for defending motoring or drink-drive offences
If you are going to be interviewed under caution by a police officer, you are entitled to FREE legal representation at the police station, whatever your financial circumstances. Ask for Stryders by name. Unlike many duty solicitors, we will contact the police after your interview to see if there’s anything else you need to do as part of our service.
Then, if you face criminal proceedings, our criminal defence lawyers will guide and support you at every stage for a very competitive fee.
We may also be able to offer a fixed fee or provide a FREE assessment for legal aid if appropriate.