Speeding
Speeding is a common offence and it can be easy to get caught out.
If you are guilty of this offence, you could receive 3 – 6 penalty points or immediate disqualification in certain circumstances.
You could also receive a fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 if the offence was committed on a motorway). However, some speeding offences can be dealt with by attending a Speed Awareness Course.
Need advice? Our criminal defence solicitors Michael Gupwell and Maxine Twynam have more than 30 years experience in criminal law between them and can help.
Get in touch with our Bristol office on 0117 929 2811.
Often, these offences are clear cut and can be resolved by completing the relevant paperwork sent to you by the police within a specified time period. Others may be more difficult or involve more serious outcomes, especially if you are at risk of totting up to 12 or more penalty points, at which stage you would normally be disqualified for a minimum period of six months.
In certain circumstances, you may be able to avoid a ban. If you are at risk of totting up to 12 or more penalty points, we may be able to persuade the court that it would cause you or others Exceptional Hardship if you were disqualified from driving. In those circumstances, the court can use their discretion and disqualify you for a shorter period or not at all.
These arguments are complicated as there is no law which defines what Exceptional Hardship is and, even if you are at risk of losing your job, it may not mean that you keep your licence if the Court is not satisfied that the hardship this will cause is exceptional.
Likewise, if you have committed a serious speeding offence by driving grossly in excess of the speed limit, the court may disqualify you from driving without totting up to 12 or more penalty points. In certain circumstances, we can assist you by trying to persuade the court not to disqualify you or to disqualify you for a shorter time period.
There are also circumstances where you may be able to argue that there are Special Reasons why you committed the offence, e.g. you drove a short distance or in an emergency.
A Special Reason must be one that is specific to the facts of the case.
There are four conditions which must be met;
- It must be a mitigating or extenuating circumstance;
- It must not amount in law to a defence to the charge;
- It must be directly connected with the commission of the offence;
- The matter is one which the court ought properly to take into account when imposing punishment.
You have to present evidence and persuade the court that there are Special Reasons. This is where we can help in ensuring that you put forward the strongest case by representing you throughout the court process.
If you are successful, then the court have the power not to impose a fine or penalty points or disqualify you from driving.
Our criminal defence solicitors Michael Gupwell, Partner, and Maxine Twynam have specialised in criminal law for over 30 years between them and can offer a bespoke, personal and proactive service to clients.
We are here to help, so get in touch with our Bristol office on 0117 929 2811
"Michael Gupwell was exceptionally knowledgeable and professional throughout the case. I can only thank you all for the effort you put into the case and undoubtedly would not hesitate to recommend Michael and your practice to others."
"I contacted Wards solicitors after I was informed I was being charged with a criminal offence that I did not commit. I was put in touch with Maxine, a Criminal Defence specialist. Maxine was professional and kind, she advised me and supported me through every step of the process from our initial meeting, to the eventual trail. Nothing was too much trouble for Maxine and the team at Wards, they were always on hand to answer questions. I will be forever grateful to everyone involved for their professional yet compassionate approach to my case and for securing the result that has given me my life back, thank you all."