CRIME

24 Hour (Crime only): 07850 565 543

The Criminal department at McKeag & Co is a very long established department and was formerly headed by Donald Clive McKeag who has undertaken serious criminal matters in excess of 50 years.

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Although Mr McKeag continues to work for us as a Consultant, Judith Curry and Gregg Stephens now primarily deal with all criminal matters covering the very minor road offences and other petty 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.

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We have an excellent reputation for providing high quality legal representation to our clients and once instructed we obtain your instructions and provide guidance to you. Our solicitors have a wealth of experience and attend court on a daily basis to represent clients.

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Criminal matters usually commence with an arrest by the police and you will be taken to a police station. We will provide representation to you at the police station and be present when you are dealt with by police, usually in interview. This service is available to clients 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. We also guarantee clients, when contacting our emergency service, will speak to a solicitor who will ultimately represent their interests should proceedings be commenced at court.

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If you require the services of a solicitor in connection with a criminal matter 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;

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

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.

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.

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