Motorists now face £200 fines and six points on their licence if caught using a mobile phone for any purpose. It’s part of government plans to toughen road safety laws. The new rules will come into force next year.
The current backlog in criminal courts in the West Midlands and across the country is impacting victims of crime, witnesses and defendants as increasing numbers of cases are delayed. Our team has experienced delays in some court cases, so what is causing it?
From 1st January 2021, judges and magistrates in England and Wales have dedicated guidelines for sentencing offenders who are convicted of firearms offences
Prominent Criminal Defence Lawyer, Stefan Hunka from Alsters Kelley Solicitors Ltd retired from the profession on Wednesday 30th September 2020 after a career spanning over four decades
Most companies have been utilising the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) since it launched in March.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) replaces the previous order referred to as a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) from 2014. If you had a SOPO before it will have been converted into a SHPO under the law and the conditions will remain the same.
A Notice of Intended Prosecution otherwise known as a NIP can be issued if you have committed a motoring offence and were not given a verbal warning at the scene. It is covered under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Former England football captain, David Beckham who was facing prosecution for a speeding offence has had the charge dismissed because of a technicality.
Unfortunately, more frequently people are discovering that they have been charged and convicted of road traffic offences without their knowledge. In some cases, people may have been driving whilst disqualified without even knowing, which is an imprisonable offence.
According to the BBC this week, “the number of prosecutions in England and Wales that collapsed because of a failure by police or prosecutors to disclose evidence increased by 70% in the last two years.”
A reminder that police all over the country are getting into the festive spirit with a timely warning against drink and drug driving. Many police forces have released hard hitting videos to demonstrate the deadly consequences of drink or drug driving.
Using a hands free mobile phone device whilst driving could land you in prison. Just because it is legal to use a phone hands-free does not mean it is always safe to do so.
Stefan Hunka, Head of Criminal Law and Member of Alsters Kelley LLP attended the Valedictory Ceremony last week to mark the retirement of His Honour the Recorder of Coventry Judge Richard Griffith Jones.
In April a new set of regulations came into force to punish speeding motorists. There will be a significant increase in fines for the worst offender although for those who are a couple of miles over the minimum, nothing will change.
Penalties for holding and using your Mobile Phone while driving have increased from the 1st March 2017.
Using a handheld mobile device while driving is illegal. You could now be given 6 points on your licence and fined £200.
As part of the Government’s plans to lower the Criminal Legal Aid bill, it is reducing the number of firms contracted to provide 24-hour Duty Solicitor cover at police stations from 1,600 to 527 across England and Wales from January 2016.
