Stirling sits at the point where Scotland's motorway network runs out and the Highlands begin, and that geography shapes the motoring charges seen here. The M9 and M80 carry heavy commuter traffic to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Falkirk; the A9 north of Dunblane is under average speed camera enforcement along its length; and the A84 and A81 out to Callander and Aberfoyle are busy single-carriageway tourist routes. A conviction costs points, premium and — for the many people in this district who live in a village with two buses a day — very often the job itself. Charles Ferguson Solicitors defend motoring charges across the Stirling area from our Glasgow office at 20-23 Woodside Place, G3 7QL. Call 0141 345 5735.
Stirling Sheriff Court — Road Traffic Cases
Motoring prosecutions from the Stirling district are heard at Stirling Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, Sheriff Court House, Viewfield Place, Stirling FK8 1NH, in the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife. Routine summary motoring business — speeding, careless driving, insurance and licence offences — is generally taken in the Justice of the Peace Court, which has sat in the same building since 2009, 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 Stirling
Drink Driving and Drug Driving — Scotland's limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood is the lowest in the United Kingdom, and drivers who would be well within the limit in England are convicted here every week. We examine Intoximeter calibration and maintenance records, the procedure followed at the police station, and whether the hip flask defence is available on the facts. Dangerous Driving — conviction brings disqualification for at least 12 months and a compulsory extended retest; on the A84 and A81, overtaking allegations behind slow-moving tourist and agricultural traffic frequently turn on the line between dangerous and careless driving. Careless Driving — a question of degree worth arguing rather than conceding. Speeding — the A9 north of Dunblane is covered by average speed cameras, and the M9, M80, A91, A811 and A872 are all 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 disqualification for at least 6 months is mandatory 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.
Rural Distance and the Cost of a Ban
Two Stirlings feel a disqualification very differently. In the city, buses and trains cover a good deal of ordinary travel. Out in the district they do not: from Killin, Crianlarich, Fintry or Balquhidder a licence is the only practical means of getting to work, to a hospital appointment or to a school run. Hotels, distilleries and visitor attractions from Callander up to Tyndrum employ staff on shifts that finish long after the last service, and farm and forestry work across the Carse and the national park needs towing and vocational entitlement. Where a ban would end an income, the court has to be shown that specifically — timetables, distances, rotas and figures, not general hardship. Call 0141 345 5735 at any hour and ask about Legal Aid.
Areas Served Across the Stirling District
We act for drivers charged anywhere in the Stirling district, including Bannockburn, Cambusbarron, Fallin, Cowie, Plean, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Doune, Callander, Aberfoyle, Kippen, Gargunnock, Balfron, Drymen, Fintry, Killin, Crianlarich and Tyndrum. Charges commonly arise on the M9, the M80, the A9, the A84, the A81, the A811, the A91 and the A872. Call 0141 345 5735.