Speeding defence success – Protecting a young parent’s livelihood

Background

Our client, a recently married new parent, was facing serious consequences after being caught driving at more than 100-mph on the motorway, well above the 70-mph speed limit. Following the impact of COVID, our client had been forced to become a driver, and he was still getting used to the van he was driving. He was surprised at how fast he was going when he was caught on camera. This level of speeding leads to an automatic disqualification for at least 56 days.

A driving ban of this duration would have had a severe effect on the client’s life, particularly as he provided the family’s main income while his wife was on maternity leave. His ability to work and support his family depended entirely on retaining his driving licence.

The client’s requirements

The client contacted us after receiving a court summons for the speeding offence. He was extremely worried about losing his licence, which would have made it impossible to continue his self-employed work which required him to drive all over the UK.

Our approach

Our experienced criminal defence solicitor, Duane Bridger, took the time to fully understand the client’s personal and financial circumstances. He carefully reviewed the camera evidence, the time of day, and other factors surrounding the incident.

This enabled us to present a well-reasoned and compelling argument to the court that highlighted the hardship a ban would impose on the client and his young family.

Key challenges

The main challenge was convincing the court that this case deserved leniency due to the seriousness of a speeding offence that would normally trigger an automatic driving ban.

Outcome and resolution

By presenting a thorough account of the client’s potential personal and financial hardship, Duane successfully persuaded the court to impose six penalty points and a fine, rather than give a driving ban. The court also issued a strong warning, which our client took seriously; he was extremely relieved to be able to continue working to support his family.

Need help with speeding offences?

Everyone can make a mistake, whether it’s misjudging your speed or facing unusual circumstances on the road. If you’ve been summoned to court for a driving offence and need expert legal representation, we’re here to help. Contact our Criminal law team.

You can also read our blog, ‘What to do if you’re arrested – A Solicitor’s guide’, for practical advice and support.