Criminal Department

We have an expert team of motoring offence solicitors in Derby. Losing your driving licence could have a substantial impact on your life, earning potential, job, relationships or your business. It makes sense that if you want the best chance of remaining in the driving seat, that you seek expert legal advice.

Whatever the circumstances, whether you have been arrested, interviewed by the police, or have received a postal requisition, make sure you have legal representation from the start. Don’t be tempted to leave it until it is too late.

We can assist right across Derbyshire. It is vital that you call us as soon as possible if you are accused of a motoring offence, to arrange an appointment and we can discuss your individual circumstances.

Free Initial Telephone Options Appointment

Our highly skilled Motoring team are here to take the worry off your hands. We provide a free initial telephone options appointment to see how we can best assist in your case. Please call us for a no-obligation, initial discussion on 01332 372311 or email enquiries@elliotmather.co.uk and we will call or email you back.

Motoring Offences

We can deal with a range of offences, including:

Driving under the influence of drink or drugs – usually carries a penalty of disqualification for at least 12 months. The court will also impose a fine or worse. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to reduce the length of the ban, or even avoid it altogether, by putting forward ‘special reasons’. We can advise you on the specifics of this.

Dangerous or careless driving – covers a wide range of poor driving, from clipping a car or pulling out without checking, through to excessive speed or a police chase, with an equally broad spectrum of penalties. If you are found guilty of dangerous driving the sentence can include imprisonment and you will be banned for at least a year and must take an extended retest.

Speeding offences – if you have not been stopped by the police, for example, if you are caught by a speed camera, you will receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution and it is at this stage that you should call us. For company cars, the court will expect the business owner to have a system for recording who is driving a vehicle at a particular time. Failure to respond to the request to name the driver of the vehicle could result in points on your licence or even a ban.

Failure to stop and report an accident – if you have an accident, however minor, and cause damage to someone’s property, you are legally required to stop and exchange contact details with the other person. If you cannot, for example, if you cannot locate the owner of the other vehicle, you must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable (always within 24 hours). Failure to do so is a serious offence and can even result in a sentence of imprisonment and you may receive at least 5 points.

Totting up penalty points – accumulating a total of 12 penalty points in any 3-year period usually means disqualification of at least 6 months. However, it is possible to reduce the length of any ban, or even avoid one altogether, in a number of circumstances, for example, to prevent you losing your job as a result of a ban. We can advise and assist you with this.

We can represent you in a wide range of motoring cases. For those who are attending the magistrates’ court, please find the address below:

Derby Magistrates’ Court

The Court House
St Mary's Gate
Derby
DE1 3JR

Tel: 01332 362 000

Opening hours

• The court is open: 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday

Directions

Derby Magistrates’ Court is in Derby city centre and can be reached via bus and train.

The venue is located on St Mary’s Gate in the Cathedral Quarter.

Train: East Midlands trains stop at Derby Train Station from all major towns and cities.

How we can help

Our experienced team of motoring offence solicitors can provide whatever level of help you require at what can be a worrying and stressful time.

Whether you have been arrested or have received a letter in the post, we can help defend you and guide you through the process.

The level of help you would like from us is entirely up to you. Our team members all have experience of helping people at difficult times in their lives and we are committed to delivering to you a professional and confidential service.

How to make contact

Our team are on hand to help you and can assist wherever you are based. Please call us for a no-obligation, initial discussion on 01332 372 311 or email enquiries@elliotmather.co.uk and we will call or email you back.

Elliot Mather has offices in the centre of Derby.