FAQs Archive

Q: What is common assault?

Common assault is an assault where the victim has been ‘caused to apprehend immediate unlawful violence.’ This means that there is no requirement for the defendant to have touched the victim, merely made them anticipate that they will be subject to violence. The offence can be committed with words alone.

Q: What penalties can I receive for Careless Driving?

If an incidence of careless driving results in a Court appearance then a driver could have up to 9 points added to their licence alongside a fine of up to £5,000. If a driver already has points on their licence then this could mean disqualification if the new total number of points exceeds 12. The Court can exercise its discretion to disqualify a driver, irrespective of whether there is a penalty point disqualification.

Q: Will I lose my license if I have been prosecuted for drink driving?

If you have “special reasons” it can be possible to avoid a disqualification which will provide a partial excuse for committing the offence. Examples can include having your drink “spiked”, the shortness of distance driven, or driving in a genuine emergency (such as medical) when no other option was available. Such reasons will be specific to each individual case.