Bathgate sits almost exactly halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh on the M8, and that position defines the town. People here commute in both directions, the motorway junctions either side of the town are constantly enforced, and the A89, A706 and A801 carry the local traffic in between. A motoring conviction brings points, a higher premium and — in a town where a great many people travel a long way to work — a disqualification that can end the job. Charles Ferguson Solicitors defend motoring charges across West Lothian from our Hamilton office at 1 Barrack Street, Hamilton ML3 0DG. Call 01698 285 885 or 0141 345 5735.
Livingston Sheriff Court — Road Traffic Cases
Motoring prosecutions arising in Bathgate are heard at Livingston Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston EH54 6FF, in the Sheriffdom of Lothian and Borders. Routine summary motoring business — speeding, careless driving, insurance and licence offences — is generally taken in the Justice of the Peace Court, while drink driving, dangerous driving and cases prosecuted on indictment call before a sheriff. Where a collision has caused a death, the charge of causing death by dangerous driving is prosecuted in the High Court of Justiciary. We appear across all of these courts.
Motoring Offences We Defend in Bathgate
Drink Driving and Drug Driving — Scotland's limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood is the lowest in the United Kingdom, and early starts for a long commute mean morning-after charges are common here. We examine Intoximeter calibration and maintenance records, the procedure followed at the police station, and whether the hip flask defence is open on the facts. Dangerous Driving — conviction brings disqualification for at least 12 months and a compulsory extended retest; on a motorway the allegation usually turns on lane discipline, closing speed and whether the driving crosses from careless into dangerous. Careless Driving — a question of degree, and often the correct charge. Speeding — the M8 through West Lothian and its junctions, the A89, the A706, the A801 through the Avon valley and the A7066 are all routinely enforced; we check device type approval and calibration and whether a Notice of Intended Prosecution was served within 14 days. Totting Up and Exceptional Hardship — at 12 penalty points the court must disqualify for at least 6 months unless exceptional hardship is proved on evidence. Driving Without Insurance — 6 to 8 penalty points or discretionary disqualification. Mobile Phone Offences — 6 penalty points. Driving While Disqualified — a charge carrying a real risk of custody.
The Long Commute Out of West Lothian
Bathgate has never had enough work of its own for the people who live in it, and it has not since the vehicle plant closed. Its residents travel — to Livingston, to Edinburgh and Glasgow, out to the Grangemouth complex, and to the distribution parks strung along the M8. The rail line through the town is genuinely useful for a nine-to-five in either city and no use at all for a back shift, a night shift or a job on a site. Trades and contractors work from vans across the central belt; care staff cover rounds out to Fauldhouse, Stoneyburn and Blackridge where the bus service is minimal; and HGV drivers on the motorway corridor face a Traffic Commissioner referral on top of any court penalty. Where a ban would cost you your income, put it to the court with evidence — rota, contract, journey and figures. Call 01698 285 885 and ask about Legal Aid.
Areas Served Across West Lothian
We act for drivers charged anywhere in West Lothian, including Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn, Blackburn, Boghall, Blackridge, Westfield, Torphichen, Fauldhouse, Longridge, Stoneyburn, Addiewell, West Calder, Livingston, Broxburn, Uphall and Linlithgow. Charges commonly arise on the M8, the A89, the A706, the A801 and the A7066. Call 01698 285 885 or 0141 345 5735.