Death by Dangerous Driving
If you are facing a charge of Death by Dangerous Driving you will be extremely anxious about the consequences and going through court. With an excellent track record on our dangerous driving cases we can help you now if you call one of our specialist dangerous driving solicitors for free initial advice.
The offence of causing death by dangerous driving is an extremely serious offence which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, an unlimited fine an obligatory disqualification for a minimum of 5 years and a compulsory extended re-test, so the stakes are high. It is an indictable only offence which means it can only be heard at the Crown Court.
You should not leave this to chance and you need to get specialist advice as early as possible.
Andrea, our Managing Director and principal solicitor, was a fatal road traffic specialist for the CPS for many years and has extensive knowledge of the CPS/police procedure, which many other specialist firms do not have.
The prosecution have to prove that your driving was dangerous i.e. fell far below the standard of a competent and careful driver and that as a result of that driving you caused a death.
This type of offence is often extremely complicated often involving many witnesses, expert evidence which could include medical experts as well as road traffic accident investigation experts. Auriga advocates will meticulously review the evidence against you and prepare your defence leaving no stone unturned.
In the UK, the minimum sentence for individuals found guilty of a charge of causing death by dangerous driving is imprisonment for two years and, at minimum, a five-year ban from driving.
Motorist must then successfully complete a mandatory extended re-test to regain their driving license.
Depending on the circumstances and severity of the case, however, sentences can range from between two to 18 years in custody.
UK law states that the maximum sentence for motorists found guilty of a death by dangerous driving charge is life imprisonment.
The government increased the sentencing powers of the court to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for individuals whose actions cause the death of a person.
The sentence is equivalent to those convicted of terrorism, murder, arson and rape offences. Motorists that cause death by dangerous driving also face an unlimited driving ban and a compulsory extended retest.
Dangerous driving sentences have both aggravating and mitigating factors. For instance, aggravating factors can lead to higher sentences and include causing multiple deaths or multiple injuries, drink and drug driving, a history of past convictions, disregard for speed limits, traffic signals and passenger warnings, involvement of vulnerable road users, irresponsible behaviour like trying to escape or not stopping after an accident, driving without a valid license and driving a stolen vehicle.
Mitigating factors that can lessen a sentence include driver remorse, inexperience, actions of the victim that may have led to the accident, dangerous driving for a valid emergency, drivers having a medical condition, assisting after the accident, a close relationship between the driver and victim, a lack of past convictions and a good driving record.
Your first appearance would be at the Magistrates Court when they would send your case to the Crown Court.
You would attend a plea and directions hearing at the Crown Court where you would enter your plea.
If you plead Not Guilty your case would be adjourned for a trial if you plead guilty you would either be sentenced at that point or on a later date.
The procedure is complicated and there are difficult decisions for you to make. This is why you experienced careless, drink and drug driving specialists to help you through this process and ensure that you are making the decisions which are right for you.
The UK sentencing guidelines for a case of death by dangerous driving have substantially increased.
Drivers now face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a minimum of five years' disqualification with an extended retest.
This was introduced by the 2022 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
- We can help to alleviate all the worry and anxiety that facing an offence of dangerous driving can cause by giving free initial advice.
- We can support you even before you are charged by providing representation at a police interview.
- We will review the evidence against you meticulously and keep both the prosecution evidence and your defence evidence under constant review.
- We will keep you informed every step of the way.
- We will answer all of your questions and concerns.
- We ensure that you get the best representation in court because we only used advocates we know and trust.
- If you are pleading guilty we will ensure that you have evidence in support of your mitigation and expert representation to secure the best result possible.
- We will listen and support you all the way without extra charge
- We will agree a fixed fee so that you have peace of mind financially and we also have payment options to spread the financial burden.
We understand how questions and concerns can pop up at any time, perhaps through conversations with friends and family.
You can call our specialist lawyer allocated to your case at any time and they will answer your question. If they are not available they will get back to you within 24 hours.
We tend to stage our fees in accordance with the court procedure i.e. magistrates court hearing, the plea and trial management hearing at the Crown Court and the Crown Court trial.
These higher fees can be paid by instalments as long as the final instalment is paid 14 days prior to the hearing which the fee covers.
We offer highly competitive rates, if you wish to know how much your case will cost call one of our specialist solicitors who will discuss your case and the fees free of charge.