speeding

Speed cameras, laser guns and unmarked police cars are all used today, and a single conviction for speeding can lose you your licence.  On the face of it, the evidence against you may seem compelling and that the obvious choice is to plead guilty.  That is not always right.  In what might seem to be watertight cases, we have made successful challenges and seen clients acquitted for a variety of reasons.

penalties

Penalties for speeding are a maximum fine of £2,500 (otherwise it is £1,000) for an offence on the motorway; three - six penalty points or a driving disqualification.

case studies

length of disqualification after speeding reduced

Barry Culshaw of the Motoring Offences team was consulted by D who had appeared before Southampton Magistrates Court with regard to a speeding allegation brought by Hampshire Constabulary and who had been disqualified from driving for a period of six months under the 'totting up' procedure. D had not previously sought legal advice. Barry Culshaw succeeded in applying to the Magistrates Court for a suspension of the period of disqualification and upon representing D on appeal before the Southampton Crown Court the period disqualification was reduced from six months to one month on the basis of exceptional hardship supported by medical evidence. As D had already served one month of the disqualification pending the order of suspension granted by the Magistrates Court D was able to drive immediately after the appeal hearing. The sentence of the Crown Court also resulted in D's driving licence being cleared of penalty points.

Please click here to view other speeding case studies.

For more information, please contact Philip Somarakis, a partner in the Motoring Offences team, on 01865 254277; email philip.somarakis@bllaw.co.uk