Criminal Defence

Driving Offences

Raj Chada

Partner

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Chloe Hartnell

Partner

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Darrell Ennis-Gayle

Partner

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Graeme Hydari

Partner

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Jessica Davis

Partner

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Laura O’Brien

Partner

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Kerry Spence

Partner

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Mike Schwarz

Partner

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Ruth Harris

Partner

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Sean Caulfield

Partner

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Anna Jemmison

Senior Associate

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Casey Jenkins

Senior Associate

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Maxine Barker

Associate

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Michael Ackah

Associate

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Aneka Thirurajah

Associate

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Ghislaine Sandoval

Solicitor

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Justin Stuart-Mills

Consultant Solicitor

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Kiran Mehta

Consultant

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Emily McNally

Paralegal

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Katie McFadden

Associate

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Christelle Chungong

Support/Paralegal

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Donjeta Canolli

Paralegal

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Ella Ferriter

Paralegal

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Sinéad Vaughan

Paralegal

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Siri Beck-Friis

Paralegal

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Somaya Yassine

Paralegal

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Rabiah Farooq

Trainee

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Ailsa McNeil

Trainee

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Amy Coulter

Trainee

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Driving is part of many of our day to day lives. If you’re facing a prosecution for driving related allegations we have the experience and skills to help you through this process.

There are multiple offences that you can be accused of while driving or being in charge of your vehicle. We can provide you with advice and representation in relation to these allegations. It’s important to understand that good quality legal advice may be the factor that stops you from losing your driving license.

Hodge Jones & Allen_Chambers 2023_png Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers & Partners 2024 legal directory. The team was described as “extremely strong in terms of criminal defence and particularly protest cases” and were praised for their “dedication to clients”.

Legal 500 uk-top-tier-firm-202 “Hodge Jones & Allen are possibly the best firm of criminal solicitors conducting publicly funded work, and also offer an excellent service to privately funded clients. They have a large team that has continually prospered through recruiting excellent trainees and investing in people.” – Legal 500, 2024

Our areas of specialism include:

Driving Points Explained

Road Traffic Offences - Pricing Guide

Experts in motoring law

As well as giving you honest and practical legal advice, we’ll also explore the technical and factual defences that may result in you keeping your driving license or avoiding serious punishments, including potential imprisonment. Our team of lawyers are experts in motoring law and are available to talk to you on the telephone.

The law around motoring offences is complex and challenging. We’ve had experience in dealing with various offences.

Successful cases we’ve fought:

Using a mobile phone while driving
Driving or being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal limit for alcohol or drugs
Failing to provide a specimen of blood or urine as required by the police
Speeding offences
Receiving more than 12 penalty points on your driving license
Road rage incidents
Dangerous driving
Driving without due care and attention
Causing death by careless or dangerous driving
Appeal of a decision in the Magistrates court

“I was lucky enough to have Hodge Jones & Allen represent me this year and received the most wonderful support and encouragement from my solicitor Ruth Harris. I would recommend this firm and Ruth to anyone who needs someone in their corner.”

Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen?

We have the experience and skills that make a difference to your chances of success. We’ve been representing people charged with driving related matters for over 40 years. In that time the high standard of our work has been recognised in the two most prominent legal directories, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.

We regularly attend the Magistrates Court to represent people charged with all of the allegations listed above. Our approach to each case remains the same, methodical and forensic. We’ll take you through each issue in your case and whenever possible challenge the prosecution’s case against you.

When we find a point we can challenge the prosecution on or a point we can take in your favour, we use all of our experience and expertise to get you the best result. In the many years we’ve been representing people accused of driving offences we’ve built up a network of skilled experts. They can provide reports and advice on all areas of Road Traffic law.

We can accept funding for your case on either a private basis or via legal aid, if you’re eligible. If you’re funding your case privately, we can discuss with you the level of fees. The structure can be fixed for prescribed pieces of work or at an hourly rate.

"From the outset, communications and advice were clear and precise. The support, both moral and during trial was much appreciated over a very difficult period."

What is the process and how do we help?

Depending on the allegation against you, it may be that your case starts with an interview under caution with the police. If it does, then you’re entitled to free and independent legal advice at that interview. We can provide that advice without the need to charge you.

Review the prosecution evidence

If you receive such notification you will usually have a few days to obtain legal advice and representation. This is a vital period of time in your case. If you instruct us we can obtain the prosecution evidence, analyse it and advise you on your chances of success and the best approach to take

What happens after the interview?

After the interview you may find that you’re charged or summonsed to attend court and face a prosecution for driving related allegations. Alternatively, you might not be interviewed and you may simply receive notification in the post that you’re to be prosecuted in court.

Request a lawyer prior to a police interview

What you say, or don’t say, in an interview with the police can play a vital part in any later court proceedings. We can provide a lawyer who will make a difference at this early stage. Always ask for a lawyer before you’re interviewed by the police.

Early advice is recommended

Early advice from us can reduce or eliminate a driving ban. It can save time and money and help you to keep your driving license.

If you choose to contest the case, the matter will go to trial. We can then prepare your case by taking witness statements and preparing both expert reports and legal arguments to support your defence. Our hard work and attention to detail is regularly the deciding factor in these cases.

Get in touch with us today on

0808 271 9413

or request a call back.

Featured cases

Death by dangerous driving

R v TR (2019):
TR faced an allegation that he’d been driving dangerously before he collided with a pedestrian, causing a fatality. At the end of a four day trial he was acquitted of this charge. We instructed an expert to report on the speed of the vehicle, evidence of when and how forcefully brakes were applied as well as for how long. Our client was acquitted at the end of the trial.

Driving with undue care and attention

R v RS (2018):
RS was turning right across stationary traffic when a bicycle collided with this vehicle. We obtained an expert report and, using this report, made written representations to the CPS. After considering our letter they dropped the prosecution.

Failure to provide specimen for analysis

R v TC (2019):
TC was charged with failing to provide a sample of breath as part of the drink drive procedure in a police station when she was accused of driving with excess alcohol (drink driving). Her case went to trial. Under cross examination the police accepted they’d made an error in the procedure and Ms TC was duly acquitted.

Dangerous driving

R v D:
“D” was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. D was driving at speed, racing and had taken cannabis and crashed his car. The passenger was seriously injured. Using expertise of silk, a toxicologist and a Road Collision expert, we secured a favourable basis of plea and sentence was 5 months rather than a number of years.

Driving with undue care and attention

R v BH (2018):
BH was facing an allegation in relation to colliding with 3 parked cars while manoeuvring his van in a small residential street. We represented him at trial and cross examined the witnesses who claimed to have seen him collide with the parked cars. He was acquitted by the Magistrates’ and awarded his costs back.

Our driving offence solicitors

Top ranked solicitors

Our top ranking team have years of experience representing the innocent. We stand up to the prosecution who will always be represented by an experienced solicitor or barrister. We know how to fight and win cases.

Here to help

Representing you at the Police Station or in Court If you need urgent representation call us today. Share a few details with us and we’ll let you know how we can help you.

Call FREE 24 hours a day

If you’re calling outside our offices hours (9:30am to 5:30pm) call our free phone 24 telephone 0808 274 8226. There will always be someone at the other end of the telephone to assist you.

Get in touch with us today on

0808 271 9413

or request a call back.

Frequently asked questions

How can I fund my case and what are your fees?

You can fund your case via legal aid, if you are eligible, or pay privately. Whether you qualify for legal aid or not will depend on the seriousness of your case and your financial position. If you don’t qualify for legal aid or wish to pay privately we can discuss our fees with you in an initial consultation or over the telephone.

Am I at risk of losing my driving license?

Each offence carries separate punishments and has different guidelines for sentence. Once we know what allegations you face and what the facts are, we can give you this advice.

Will I need to attend court?

Surprisingly you may not need to attend court. If you’ve received a postal charge or summons for one of the more minor driving matters you may not need to attend. However, you must be clear on this point.

If you fail to attend court when you’re required, a warrant may be issued for your arrest and failing to attend would amount to a criminal offence if you don’t have a reasonable excuse that the court accepts.

Am I at risk of a prison sentence?

Only in the more serious cases is a prison sentence both possible and likely. For offences such as speeding and driving with no insurance it’s not a possibility. For offences of driving with excess alcohol (drink driving) or drugs (drug driving) it’s possible and can happen if there are aggravating factors to your case.

Awards & Recognition

Further Reading

Opinion

Fatal Road Accidents: When Will There Be A Criminal Prosecution And What Will Be The Outcome

Opinion

Ministry of Justice Reverse Increase In Sentencing Powers Of Magistrates

Opinion

I Was Racially Profiled And Manhandled By The Police, Now They Have Charged Me With A Criminal Offence

Opinion

Jurors Beware. The Possible Perils Of Jury Service

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“A FIRM DEDICATED TO THE OLD-FASHIONED VIRTUE OF CONSCIENTIOUS HARD WORK IN PURSUIT OF THEIR CLIENTS’ INTERESTS”. - LEGAL 500 - RANKED AS TIER 1 (CRIME)

Driving Offences

Our areas of specialism include: