A road traffic charge in Jedburgh or the Scottish Borders can cost you far more than a fine. In a rural region where public transport is limited and journeys are long, losing your licence can mean losing your job, your independence, and your ability to care for your family. Charles Ferguson Solicitors are specialist road traffic defence lawyers acting for drivers across the Borders from our Glasgow office at 20-23 Woodside Place, G3 7QL.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court — Road Traffic Cases
Road traffic prosecutions arising in the Jedburgh area are heard at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, Sheriff Court House, Castlegate, Jedburgh TD8 6AR, within the Sheriffdom of Lothian and Borders. Less serious motoring matters are dealt with at the Justice of the Peace Court, while the most serious cases — including causing death by dangerous driving — are prosecuted at the High Court of Justiciary. We defend every category of road traffic charge and understand how motoring prosecutions are approached by the local Procurator Fiscal and the sheriffs who sit in Jedburgh.
Road Traffic Offences We Defend
Drink Driving and Drug Driving — Scotland's 50mg limit is the lowest in the UK and catches many drivers unaware. We challenge Intoximeter accuracy, procedural compliance, and advance the hip flask defence where the evidence supports it. Dangerous Driving — carries a minimum 12-month disqualification and possible imprisonment. We scrutinise dashcam footage, police evidence, road conditions, and vehicle data. Careless Driving — we assess whether the driving genuinely fell below the standard of a competent and careful driver. Speeding — including fixed and mobile camera evidence on the A68 and A7. We examine calibration certificates and Notice of Intended Prosecution timing, which must be served within 14 days. Totting Up and Exceptional Hardship — at 12 or more penalty points the court must disqualify for a minimum of 6 months unless exceptional hardship is proven. Driving Without Insurance — 6 to 8 points or discretionary disqualification. Mobile Phone Offences — 6 points per conviction. Driving While Disqualified — a serious charge with custody implications.
Rural Driving and Licence Protection
The Borders is one of the most car-dependent regions in Scotland. Farmers and agricultural contractors, HGV drivers working the A68 corridor, tradespeople covering wide rural areas, and NHS and care staff travelling between scattered communities all depend absolutely on their licences, and public transport alternatives are frequently unavailable. An exceptional hardship application is never guaranteed to succeed — it requires careful preparation, credible supporting evidence, and persuasive legal argument. We have extensive experience preparing and presenting these applications. 24/7 availability on 0141 345 5735. Transparent fees. Legal Aid where applicable.
Areas Served Across the Borders
We defend road traffic charges arising across the Scottish Borders, including Jedburgh, Kelso, Hawick, Melrose, Galashiels, Newtown St Boswells, Coldstream, Duns, and the surrounding rural communities. Offences on the A68, A7, A698, and local roads all fall within our regular practice.