Client Charged with Dangerous Driving

A client of Kinloch Lawyers, had been charged with dangerous driving. The client had all sorts of personal difficulties including looking after their disabled mother and a girlfriend who is on bad medication.

 With no previous convictions and no matters outstanding, the client was in a job working for BAE Systems in combat weapons and had to be vetted to a high degree.  After a lot of toing and froing, we managed to persuade the Prosecutor to accept a charge of careless driving which saved his licence and his job. instead of proceeding with a charge of dangerous driving.

Dangerous Driving Charge Reduced to Careless Driving

Securing a review of the circumstances and persuading the Prosecutor to reduce the charge from dangerous driving to careless driving was a significant outcome, as the legal and personal consequences of these offences are very different.

Dangerous driving is a more serious criminal offence. Typically it carries harsher penalties, including a mandatory driving disqualification, a substantial fine, the potential for a custodial sentence, and a lasting criminal record.      A conviction for dangerous driving would almost certainly have resulted in our client losing their licence — and quite possibly their job, and in the case of our client driving was a requirement of his employment.

Careless driving, sometimes called driving without due care and attention, is treated as a lesser offence. While it can still lead to fines and penalty points, it does not automatically result in disqualification or a criminal record. In the case of our client, Kinloch Lawyers secured a plea to the lesser charge. This meant the client was able to retain their driving licence and, as a result, keep their job.

The Outcome of the Case

What was Agreed

Through careful negotiation with the prosecution, we were able to secure a charge of careless driving. This led to our client being given 8 penalty points and a £470 fine.

 The client was absolutely delighted with this outcome. 

Careless Driving - Why This Case Outcome Mattered to Our Client

Kinloch Lawyers were able to persuade the Prosecutor to accept a lesser charge of careless driving instead of pursuing the original dangerous driving charge. This was a very important outcome for our client.

A dangerous driving conviction would have resulted in much more serious consequences. That would have included a mandatory driving ban, a possible prison sentence, and a criminal record. This would almost certainly have caused our client to lose their licence, and very likely their job too. In securing the lesser charge of careless driving, Kinloch Lawyers avoided those harsh penalties.

While careless driving is still an offence, it does not carry the same level of punishment. This outcome means our client could keep their licence and continue working, which was a key priority in the case.

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