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Criminal Litigation Department
Our Criminal Department consists of specialist solicitors and accredited support staff who have handled recent high profile cases. Headed by Andrew Havery, our aim is to give you the best possible advice and representation at all stages of the criminal process. Our advocates are all trained to the high standard needed to retain our Legal Services Commission Franchise and Contract.
The department has a large client base of individuals, many of whom instruct us on their behalf time and time again.
We operate a 24 hour helpline and we will attend police stations to represent you and offer expert advice in respect of interviews at any time of the day or night and obtain Legal Services funding for you where possible.
Motoring Offences
We are able to offer you professional advice as to whether you have
a defence to a particular charge. If not, we can advise on how to avoid
disqualification or reduce the penalty. We can attend court or write letters
on your behalf in litigation. We can advise you in respect of penalty points
and totting up. Most road traffic offences carry penalty points which are
endorsed on your licence. If you receive 12 or more points within a three
year period the Court MUST disqualify you from driving for at least 6 months.
However, it maybe possible to obtain a reduced disqualification or no disqualification
at all if you can show that it would cause exceptional hardship. This is
not specifically defined but includes loss of employment, illness or disability
for yourself or a relative who rely upon you for transport. It is always
worth instructing a solicitor to act on your behalf where disqualification
may arise.
Drinking and Driving
If you are found guilty of drinking and driving (or failing to provide
a specimen at a police station) you MUST be disqualified from driving for
at least 1 year. Usually the higher the alcohol level the longer the disqualification
period. A second conviction within 10 years carries a minimum disqualification
of 3 years. The only exception is when the Court finds special reasons not
to disqualify. Such special reasons are very limited. We can advise you
whether or not there is a special reason in your case.
