Do I need a solicitor?

[TR-Day]

I wanted to post a brief summary of my issue and try and gauge if i need to be forking out for a solicitor just yet. I have contacted 3 so far, 2 have told me I don't and the third wants approx £2000 to start enquiries with the police, secure evidence, their cctv from police station etc...this fee also covers up to the first hearing.

Anyway, approx 6 weeks ago I was released under investigation for suspected drink driving. The car involved with actually a courtesy car from the dealership of my wife's car...though i signed it out from the dealership. From what the police told me the car was involved with a slight incident with another parked car (the police showed me the pictures and it looks like a scratch across the front panel). The car had also crashed into an iron fence/gate but from what they said that didn't sound like much damage either.

Anyway when the police turned up I was walking towards them with a group of people, there was a group of people already with them. Someone mentioned my name in the group and the police officer heard, he asked me to confirm my name and when I did I was breathalysed and arrested. I was taken to the station for the night and interviewed the next day. Before i was interviewed I had the duty solicitor. I didn't trust him after he started telling me that if someone else was driving or had taken the car and i didn't name them the police would keep me there until I did. I lived hundreds of miles away and had a young baby to get back to. So, i elected to "no comment" the interview.

There was no cctv, I wasn't arrested at the vehicle and did not have the keys on me. As far as i am aware the only witness was the owner of the venue who i think in all honesty only mentioned me as a hear say type thing. There were a group of people there and if they had seen someone in the car it wasn't me. I can't be sure and i am worried that this witness bends the truth or worse lies. The other witness is apparently the owner of the stationary car that was hit...he says the driver got out and looked at the crash then got back in and drove off. This doesn't sound right with the events I've been told and if he had saw the person...and thought that it was me surely I would be ID'd properly? Or are the police going to show him a photo of me now (taken from the police station) and say "this is the guy you saw right?" wink* wink*.

Anyway obviously i want this whole thing to not just hang in limbo and i thought it might be best to be proactive instead of reactive to the police and cps. I hear the police can get rid of the evidence they don't need (helps the suspect) pretty sharpish.

So basically, is £1500-£2000 worth it? I feel like if i get charged and summoned I'll kick myself. Though after getting married, having a baby and buying a car outright money isn't my favorite topic atm.

Thanks, in advance.

 

[SeanJoyceStephensons]

I can't comment specifically on a service offered to you and whether or not that would be value for money. I would always advise you having a solicitor with you during any interview process and given the nature of the offence, a specialist would be advisable. It does not appear as though you will be interviewed again although this is not out of the question. In terms of any other advice and assistance in advance of any decision regarding charge then that would depend on the issues up for debate.

Your case seems to hang on a factual defence being that you did not drive. Any CCTV form the police station will not assist you with that defence, however, it may prove very useful when considering any procedural defences that might exist. CCTV at the police station is not retained indefinitely and some constabularies have a policy of destroying any footage after 28 days. Any preliminary work done by your solicitor in advance of any charge may prove invaluable. Similarly it may amount to nothing.

I would advise speaking again to the solicitors who have quoted this figure and finding out exactly what you stand to gain by their representation in advance of any charge given the specific nature of any issues in your case before making any decision.