Solicitor for Driving Offences in Mayo
At O'Sullivan Kenny LLP, our driving offences and drink driving solicitors in Mayo provide expert legal representation for clients facing a wide range of motoring charges, including road traffic offences and other driving-related matters.
O'Sullivan Kenny Solicitors for Driving Offences in Mayo
At O'Sullivan Kenny LLP, our team of solicitor for driving offences Mayo specialists provide tailored legal advice and strong courtroom representation for clients facing driving-related charges. From drink driving and no insurance cases to disqualification appeals and speeding offences, we bring our expertise to drivers across Mayo who need effective and reliable legal support.
We understand the anxiety that comes with facing road traffic allegations. Our solicitors work hard to reduce penalties, avoid licence disqualifications, and provide clear guidance throughout the legal process. Whether you have received a court summons or are under investigation, our Mayo solicitors for driving offences are ready to assist.
The District Court in Mayo regularly handles a high volume of road traffic cases. Offences such as speeding, dangerous driving, and using a mobile phone while driving are taken seriously and can result in penalty points, fines, and driving bans.
Engaging a solicitor for driving offences Mayo at the earliest stage is crucial. Early intervention can help identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, explore technical defences, and advise on whether a plea or challenge is appropriate.
Our firm assists clients across Mayo with all road traffic offences including driving without insurance, careless or dangerous driving, and fixed charge notices. We aim to preserve your driving privileges and avoid long-term impacts on your record.
Driving Licences
Driving in a public place without a valid licence is a prosecutable offence in Mayo. The law applies not only to individuals but also to companies that permit unlicensed driving of their vehicles.
The prosecution must demonstrate that the defendant was in control of the vehicle. This is a factual assessment made by the District Court Judge based on the evidence available.
A valid licence or permit is usually the most straightforward defence. However, complications often arise involving international permits, expired licences, or misunderstandings around existing bans. A solicitor familiar with Mayo road traffic law can help navigate these issues.
Penalties vary based on the circumstances but may include fines of up to €5,000 and six-month prison terms, especially where disqualification was already in place.
Driving Ban in Mayo & Restoration of Licence
If you’ve been disqualified from driving, there may be an opportunity to apply for early restoration of your driving licence, depending on the duration and history of the ban.
Under Irish law, you may apply for restoration if this is your first disqualification within ten years. If it's your second, the original ban must not have exceeded two years. In both cases, applications can only be made once half the disqualification period has passed.
However, the court will only permit restoration once two-thirds of the ban has been completed. The Judge will also assess your driving history, conduct since the offence, and the circumstances behind your disqualification. Having a solicitor for driving offences Mayo present your application strengthens your case.
Drug & Drink Driving Offences
Drink and drug driving cases are complex and technical, with strict procedures governing how evidence must be gathered and presented. These types of charges almost always result in mandatory disqualification.
In Mayo, our solicitors for driving offences have defended numerous clients facing intoxicant charges. We examine the entire timeline of events from the roadside stop through to the processing of blood, breath or urine samples.
Even a small procedural irregularity can invalidate key evidence. This is why expert legal advice is essential if you're facing a drink or drug driving charge.
The maximum penalty includes a fine of €5,000 and a six-month prison sentence. Early legal advice can often result in reduced disqualification periods or the identification of viable defences.
No Insurance Offences
It is an offence to drive without valid insurance or to allow an uninsured person to drive your vehicle. A conviction leads to mandatory disqualification and a minimum of five penalty points.
Once a Garda lawfully requests an insurance certificate, the burden is on the driver to produce the original document. Copies or discs are not accepted.
There are possible defences, such as lack of knowledge or acting on employer instruction, but these should be carefully explored with a solicitor for driving offences Mayo.
Complexities may arise if an insurer refuses to honour a policy due to alleged fraud or non-disclosure.
Convictions carry heavy penalties, including fines of up to €5,000 and up to six months imprisonment, so it's essential to seek immediate legal support.
Dangerous Driving, Careless Driving & Driving Without Reasonable Consideration
Dangerous driving, careless driving, and driving without reasonable consideration are all prosecuted regularly in Mayo courts. Dangerous driving carries a mandatory disqualification, while the others give the court discretion to impose bans depending on the context.
Penalties range from fines of €1,000 to €5,000 and up to six months in prison. If serious injury or death occurred, the matter may be escalated to the Circuit Court where much higher penalties apply.
If you're facing any of these allegations, legal advice from a solicitor for driving offences in Mayo is essential to assess the strength of your defence and avoid unnecessary penalties.
Penalty Point Offences
Speeding, mobile phone use while driving, and failure to wear a seatbelt are common offences that result in penalty points. Once points are applied following a conviction, they cannot be removed or waived.
Once you reach the threshold, disqualification is automatic. Judges have no power to override penalty point rules. Legal advice can help mitigate charges and prevent drivers from unknowingly accumulating points.
Fixed Charge Penalty Offences
Fixed Charge Penalty Notices (FCPNs) allow for out-of-court settlement of minor road traffic offences. If ignored, they can escalate to court proceedings.
Many cases begin with an FCPN and later proceed to court due to non-payment or incorrect nomination of another driver. You have 28 days to pay the fine, after which the amount doubles.
If you did not receive the notice, this may form the basis of a defence. A solicitor for driving offences Mayo can advise you on whether to challenge or resolve the issue.