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CRIME

24 Hour (Crime only): 07850 565 543

The crime department at McKeag & Co is an extremely well-established department, offering criminal services for in excess of 50 years after initially being set up by Mr Clive McKeag.

 

The crime department is now headed up by two extremely experienced criminal lawyers. Judith Curry has led the crime department for the last 14 years and in 2019 was joined by Gregg Stephens, formerly the managing partner of Stephens McDonald & Robson. Gregg has over 30 years’ experience in criminal law, largely as a partner of his own firm before McKeag & Co acquired his practice in 2019. Our crime department cover the full range of criminal offences, dealing with all matters at the magistrates such as road traffic offences, theft, criminal damage and less serious assaults as well as dealing with the most serious criminal cases dealt with at the crown court including murder, serious assaults, serious sexual offences and the full range of criminal offences.

 

McKeag & Co’s crime department has an excellent reputation for providing high quality representation throughout the police station and court process. Our solicitors have a wealth of experience and attend court on a daily basis to represent clients.

 

Many of our cases commence in the police station where we provide a 24 hour service to clients. This is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and out of office hours the crime department are always contactable on the out of hours number which is 07850565543. By contacting either the office or the emergency number clients will be able to speak to a solicitor who will be able to provide appropriate advice and arrange representation at the police station and thereafter at both magistrates court and crown court.

 

As indicated we are able to provide expert help and advice covering the full range of criminal matters so please do not hesitate to contact us on our office or emergency number.

Do I need a Solicitor?

The Majority of motoring offences carry penalty points these can range between 3 and 11, some offences also carry the possibility of mandatory or discretionary disqualification.

​An accumulation of penalty points can also result in disqualification under the “totting” provisions.

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In some cases special reasons may exist for not endorsing penalty points on your licence.

​Points remain on your licence for 3 years and if you accumulate more than 12 you can be disqualified for 6 months under the totting-up provisions.

​We can advise you whether exceptional hardship exists and whether you can avoid being disqualified.

​Penalty points are also important to new drivers who can see their driving licence revoked if the receive more than 6 penalty points in their first two years of driving.

​We offer initial advice free without obligation, usually 15 min in person or over the phone.

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We also offer fixed fees for the following;

 
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Motoring Offences
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Detailed Consultation
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Letters of Representation
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Guilty Pleas
Not Guilty Pleas
 

MOTORING OFFENCES

At McKeag & Co we understand how important your driving licence is. Most of our clients rely upon their ability to drive, whether it’s for work, business, family or pleasure.

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We understand the stress and worry caused by driving offences and how often a criminal conviction can end up in the loss of your job, business, reputation and the strain it places on relationships.

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We have a vast amount of experience in successfully defending individuals who are facing these charges. We’re here to pick up the pieces, take the worry off your hands and explain everything to you, including the possible outcomes and advise you at each stage of the process.

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At McKeag & Co you can be ensured that your case will be dealt with by an experienced solicitor who can offer affordable professional advice and representation on all aspects of Road Traffic Legislation.

DETAILED CONSULTATION

£100 (Incl. VAT)

  • Attending upon you over phone or in person

  • Reviewing documentation

  • Advising on options available

 

Does not include written representations or advocacy.

LETTERS OF REPRESENTATION / MITIGATION

£180 (Incl. VAT)

  • Attending upon you over phone or in person

  • Minimum of 1 hour preparation

  • Consideration of evidence

  • Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence

  • Written representations

 

Does not include attendance at Court, third party or expert fees or inquiries of witnesses or third parties.

 

GUILTY PLEAS

£280 (Incl. VAT)

  • Attending upon you over the phone/in person

  • Minimum of 2 hours’ attendance/preparation

  • Considering evidence

  • Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence

  • Full representation up to and including the sentencing hearing

  • Providing assistance in obtaining evidence and mitigating any penalties that the Court may impose

  • Where appropriate, advice on whether an exceptional hardship or special reasons argument should be made

  • Representation at single hearing for no more than half a day

  • Car parking/mileage or other travelling expenses

 

Does not include, Instruction of any expert witnesses, taking statements from any witnesses, advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons, exceptional hardship or any appeal, representation in person at future hearings, third party or experts fees

NOT GUILTY PLEAS (1 OFFENCE)

£600-£1000 (Incl. VAT)

  • Attending to you over the phone/in person

  • A full assessment of the evidence including advice on likely sentence/prospects of success

  • Minimum of 2 hours’ attendance/preparation

  • Considering evidence

  • Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence

  • Written plea and written case management

  • Full representation up to and including the trial hearing for no more than half a day

  • Providing assistance in obtaining character reference evidence and mitigating any penalties that the Court may impose

  • Where appropriate, advice on whether an exceptional hardship or special reasons argument should be made

  • Car parking/mileage or other travelling expenses

 

Does not include, Instruction of any expert witnesses, taking statements from any witnesses, advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons, exceptional hardship or any appeal, representation in person at future hearings, third party or experts fees

The fees for our service can vary depending on a number of factors including​

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  • If the trial runs over half a day

  • The location of the trial

  • Number of witnesses involved

  • Number of offences committed

SPECIAL REASONS ARGUMENT

£280-£600 (Incl. VAT) - FIXED FEES

Although you might accept that you are guilty of committing a motoring offence, you could have reasons for avoiding a penalty-known as a special reasons argument.

EXCEPTIONAL HARDSHIP ARGUMENT

£280-£600 (Incl. VAT) - FIXED FEES

If penalty points are imposed and you become subject to disqualification for totting we can seek to argue against disqualification – known as an exceptional hardship argument.

 

Fixed Fees are available for both special reasons and exceptional hardship arguments and range from £280 – £600 including VAT.

TIMESCALES

Court proceedings will usually be issued within six months of the offence, however it can take up to 12 months to proceed with a hearing.​

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At this stage we do not expect to do any work outside the terms of any fixed price quoted, however we will notify you if this changes and discuss with you how the additional work may be charged.

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If successful and acquitted or proceedings are discontinued by the prosecution you may be entitled to obtain a defence costs order.

Gregg Stephens

Solicitor

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Gregg has been qualified since 1990 and spent the majority of his professional life practicing criminal law at Stephens McDonald and Robson solicitor where he was a senior managing partner until the firm merged with McKeag & Co in February 2019. Gregg holds Higher Rights and can practice in the Crown Courts as well as the Magistrates.

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Crime - Head of Department

Judith Curry

Judith is the head of our Criminal Department and has over 14 years’ experience, specialising in all criminal matters covering the very minor road traffic offences and other summary offences such as theft and criminal damage which are usually dealt with by the Magistrates’ Court to the most serious offences such as murder, assault and arson which will be dealt with at the Crown Court.

 

CONTACT US

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