Duty Solicitor

[Jody]

Good Morning, could you please tell me if I will receive as good a service from the duty solicitor as I might from a paid specialist solicitor? I do not have £850. plus vat, the average cost, to pay a specialist solicitor. I am disabled and was caught and charged with drink driving with a reading of 64. This is my first D + D offence. I have a disabled mother who is dependent on me to take her to the doctors, hospital appointments etc etc. I was offered a bed for the night but had to return home as I did not have my evening or morning medication with me. I do not usually drink - the last time was one glass of port at christmas. I do not like alcohol. I drank some rose wine - which was like a fruit juice and a can of beer. I can get character witness letters and a letter from my doctor stating why I need my car. I understand that I will get a ban and that I have been incredibly naive/stupid. I am hoping that I will be able to receive a reduced ban, and reduce it further by attending the course. But will they send me on a course when I do not have a drinking problem, have no previous convictions? Thank you for your attention to this matter. J. Sealwood.

 

[SeanJoyceStephensons]

By instructing your own solicitor privately you will enjoy freedom of choice as to who you instruct. You will also have the benefit of meeting with your advocate before the day of the hearing, spending as much time as you need explaining your case, going through your mitigation, how a ban will affect you and discussing what evidence you should bring to court to strengthen your case. When you arrive at court your solicitor is likely to only have your case to think about and will have no other distractions.

The Duty Solicitor service is an excellent service for those that cannot afford their own solicitor. However, the service is not available until you arrive at court. There is no element of choice and it will the luck of the draw as to which particular solicitor is on duty that day. The amount of time the duty solicitor has to spend with you preparing what he is going to say may be determined by how many other cases he has to deal with at the same time as yours.

The Magistrates may reduce the length of ban they would otherwise give you once they have heard your mitigation. You don't have to suffer from a drink problem in order to benefit from the drink drive rehabilition course.

 

[Jody]

Thank you very much for your reply. I am grateful for the advice and information. I will let you know what happens. Jody.