13 Reasons Why is currently making waves as a much watch Netflix Original Series. But would you believe that there are at least 13 offences committed throughout the 13 episodes? Over the next 5 days I will be continuing to post blogs about the 13 different offences I have found and what could happen should you be arrested or charged with them.
The Sentencing Council website can be found here.
9. Failure to Stop /Report a Road Traffic Accident (Section 170(2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988)
It is an offence to fail to stop at the scene of a road traffic accident or to fail to report the accident to the Police. If you are involved in a road traffic accident then you have an obligation to contact the Police in person within 24 hours to inform them of the incident as well as any injury to a person or animal, or any damage to property, if you are unable to exchange details as set out below.
You have an obligation to give details of your name and address and details of the driver and owner of the vehicle to anybody who reasonably asks for this information, for example – the owner of any property or animal or the person involved in any injuries caused. Failure to do so can mean that you end up with a criminal conviction on your record.
Failure to Stop/Report a Road Traffic Accident is a Summary Only matter which means it can only be heard in the Magistrates Court. For this offence, you can be sentenced to a maximum of a fine not exceeding £5,000 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment (although a custodial sentence is usually only imposed in the most serious of cases).
Your license
You will also have your driving license endorsed with 5-10 penalty points. This could mean that if you are a new driver and have had your license for less than two years, and you are convicted of this offence, you could be disqualified from driving or you may have your license revoked. If you are a seasoned driver and already have penalty points on your license and you receive a maximum penalty for this offence which means your license would be endorsed with 12 points, you could be disqualified under the “totting up” rules and in some cases may have to take your test again to get your license back.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of driving offences are not covered by the Legal Aid Agency and therefore, any representation at Court would be on a private paying basis. (Remember, any advice given at the Police Station is free of charge under the Advice and Assistance Scheme funded by the Legal Aid Agency). At Ringrose Law, we have very competitive fees for representation at Court whether you intend to plead guilty or not guilty. Feel free to contact any of our offices for more information on these fees.
Help
We at Ringrose Law understand how worrying it can be if you are arrested in relation to any offence. We would always recommend that you obtain Legal Representation if you are arrested or interviewed. You are entitled to free and independent Legal advice at the Police Station.
Contact our Criminal Defence team who will be able to represent you at the Police Station on any matter, covered by the Legal Aid Agency’s Advice and Assistance Scheme. We have offices in Boston, Lincoln, Spalding, Sleaford, Grantham and Newark.
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