Criminal Defence Blog


Perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines


Perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines

Criminal defence Barrister Quentin Hunt examines the perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines.


Not guilty verdict in fatal accident drink driving case


Not guilty verdict in fatal accident drink driving case

Quentin achieves acquittal for client in drink driving case which could have had serious repercussions on potential death by dangerous driving charges.


Client avoids jail in Death by Dangerous Driving case


Client avoids jail in Death by Dangerous Driving case

Quentin Hunt acts in Death by Dangerous Driving case before Swansea Crown Court.


Court of Appeal victory sees reduction in Sentence in Dangerous Driving case


Court of Appeal victory sees reduction in Sentence in Dangerous Driving case

Mr TP pleaded guilty to an offence of Dangerous Driving contrary to section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988...


Quentin represents professional footballer Mahlon Romeo on Direct Access basis


Quentin represents professional footballer Mahlon Romeo on Direct Access basis

When Milwall defender Mahlon Romeo found himself in need of specialist legal representation in respect of a road traffic matter he chose to instruct Quentin Hunt on a direct public access basis.


Quentin wins driving disqualification Appeal to keep City Solicitor on the road


Quentin wins driving disqualification Appeal to keep City Solicitor on the road

Quentin wins Appeal to keep City Solicitor on the road- Mr RS is a Litigation Partner in a well know firm of City Solicitors. He had represented himself before the Magistrates Court in respect of two matters of speeding and had been disqualified from driving. RS travelled a lot for his work and needed his driving licence for personal reasons and was looking to appeal his sentence. RS instructed Quentin Hunt, a specialist Criminal Barrister to look after his interests at the Appeal hearing and give him the best chance of success. Quentin was instructed on a Direct Access basis.


Quentin wins criminal case for Property Management company


Quentin wins criminal case for Property Management company

SP Ltd are a large property management company based in the South East of England; they were accused, as a corporate entity, of a breach of s172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in respect of failure to provide driver’s information relating to their company fleet of vehicles. The Directors of the company were very concerned about the position as the company had to pass various checks due to their areas of operation and any criminal offence recorded against the company could have seriously affected their operations and ability to effectively tender for contracts. They therefore instructed Quentin Hunt to act for the company on a Direct Access basis.


Road Rage Assault and the law


Road Rage Assault and the law

Specialist Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt examines ‘road rage’ offences, relevant defences and how such cases are best conducted.


Driver escapes custody in M4 attack on motorcyclist


Driver escapes custody in M4 attack on motorcyclist

Public access Barrister Quentin Hunt helps a defendant avoid custody in a serious road traffic case relating to a motorcyclist being rammed off his bike on the M4 motorway.


Quentin represents Premier League footballer Christian Benteke on Direct Access basis


Quentin represents Premier League footballer Christian Benteke on Direct Access basis

When Premier League footballer Christian Benteke found himself in need of specialist legal representation in respect of a number of driving matters he chose to instruct Quentin Hunt on a direct public access basis.


Not guilty in careless driving allegation


Not guilty in careless driving allegation

Quentin Hunt is a criminal Barrister who is an expert in defending professional and high profile individuals in Road Traffic cases.


Quentin secures acquittal for Accountant in Driving allegations


Quentin secures acquittal for Accountant in Driving allegations

Quentin represented Miss ND, a chartered accountant who faced an allegation of Careless Driving and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.


Success in Special Reasons Appeal for Solicitor in Drink Driving case


Success in Special Reasons Appeal for Solicitor in Drink Driving case

Quentin was instructed to appeal a period of driving disqualification imposed upon Mr RK, a Partner at a firm of Solicitors who had been sentenced following a guilty plea to a charge of driving with excess alcohol.


Self driving cars and the law - more problems than answers


Self driving cars and the law - more problems than answers

The UK Government has announced its intention to trial driverless cars on Britain’s roads by the end of 2019. But, says Criminal Barrister Quentin Hunt, the question of legislating for the safe use of autonomous vehicles combines legal, philosophical and economic problems in a way that the law has not had to deal with in living memory.


Quentin successfully defends Limited Company in driving case


Quentin successfully defends Limited Company in driving case

Quentin found himself representing a large limited company with 3,500 employees which was accused of the offence of failure to provide driver’s details under s172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988


Quentin achieves Not Guilty result in ‘cut throat’ car crash case


Quentin achieves Not Guilty result in ‘cut throat’ car crash case

Quentin robustly defended his client and conducted vigorous cross examination of the co-defendant highlighting her excess speed, poor driving and inconsistent accounts. The Court heard all the evidence and delivered a verdict of Not Guilty for Quentin’s client and a Guilty verdict in respect of the other driver.


Quentin Hunt gains acquittal in Drink driving appeal


Quentin Hunt gains acquittal in Drink driving appeal

Quentin was able to make legal submissions at the end of presentation of prosecution evidence that the case should not be allowed to continue


Quentin Hunt invited to speak at prestigious Social Media Conference


Quentin Hunt invited to speak at prestigious Social Media Conference

Quentin has been asked to speak on the topic of 'Criminal Law as it relates to Social Media' at the prestigious Legal Aspects of Social Media 2016 Conference hosted by Central Law Training and held at the DeVere London Bars


Dangerous police chase defendant avoids prison


Dangerous police chase defendant avoids prison

FR was charged with Dangerous Driving and had pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court, the case was transferred to the Crown Court for sentencing.


Woman escapes with community service in 'Grand Theft Auto' case


Woman escapes with community service in 'Grand Theft Auto' case

Quentin Hunt represented Miss SG who was charged with a multitude of Road Traffic offences following incidents in April 2015.


Direct Access Litigation Qualified Barrister


Direct Access Litigation Qualified Barrister

Although there are many direct access qualified barristers only a very small minority of those at the Bar are qualified to conduct litigation. This can have an enormous effect upon the conduct of your case.


Quentin acts on behalf of Transport For London in successful prosecutions of unlicenced taxi drivers


Quentin acts on behalf of Transport For London in successful prosecutions of unlicenced taxi drivers

Driving ban and fines for unlicenced taxi drivers as Quentin undertakes successful prosecutions for Transport for London


Changes to the Drink Driving Law


Changes to the Drink Driving Law

Recently the government has introduced new legislation that fundamentally changes the requirements under drink driving law.


Driving case victory


Driving case victory

Quentin represented Mr FS, a man of good character who was charged with careless driving. He was accused of striking a man with his car on a pavement in Soho on a Saturday night.


Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving


Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 introduced an offence of Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving; this came into force on 3rd December 2012. As always it has taken a long time for the Police and CPS to start using the offence on a regular basis but we are now seeing the offence being prosecuted with some vigour. Read further to find out more..


Sentencing success in Dangerous Driving case


Sentencing success in Dangerous Driving case

Quentin represented KS who pleaded guilty to a count of Dangerous Driving. Mr S was driving his sports car at speed on a singe carriageway A road in Hertfordshire when he overtook a car on a blind corner on a stretch of road with double white lines. Read further to find out more..


How Can I keep my driving licence? Special reasons arguments


How Can I keep my driving licence? Special reasons arguments

In many driving cases people commit offences in circumstances that are really not their fault. This stems from the fact that the vast majority of driving offences are what lawyers call ‘strict liability’ offences. This means that you are guilty whether or not you actually meant to commit the offence. Read further to find out more..


An Example of a Typical Driving Case Study


An Example of a Typical Driving Case Study

Mr N was arrested on a Friday evening just outside Manchester. Two police officers on foot stopped him in his work van in a car park outside a fish and chip shop; the police had received a tip off. He was taken to the police station where he was subject to the breath test procedure and was found to be considerably over the drink drive limit. He was arrested and charged with drink driving. Mr N travelled all over the UK with his work and needed his licence for his work; he knew that if he lost his licence he would lose his job and his livelihood. Read further to find out more..


Cautionary tale about having someone else take your penalty points


Cautionary tale about having someone else take your penalty points

Taking penalty points is a serious criminal offence and perverting the course of justice. It was all over the news a short while ago. But now the convictions of Chris Huhne and Vicky Price for perverting the course of justice have faded in time and are no longer in the public consciousness the courts are once again seeing the return of people accused of perverting the course of justice due to others ‘taking their points’. Read further to find out more..


What to do if I am summoned for driving without insurance?


What to do if I am summoned for driving without insurance?

What to do if I am summonsed for driving without insurance? It is a criminal offence for a person to “use” a motor vehicle on a road or “cause” or “permit” any other person to use it on a road while uninsured. These offences can only be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court and are typically punishable with a fine and the imposition of between 6 and 8 penalty points on your licence or a disqualification from driving. Despite the fact that these are “summary only” offences that can only be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, they are treated seriously.. Read further to find out more..


Death by Dangerous Driving


Death by Dangerous Driving

Causing death by dangerous driving is the most serious driving offence that you can be prosecuted for. If you are being investigated for this offence, have been charged or are under suspicion it is essential that you get legal representation. The representation you will require will need to be not just a ‘criminal’ lawyer but a lawyer with specialism in Road Traffic Offences.


Update on Financial Penalties for Motorway Offences


Update on Financial Penalties for Motorway Offences

Government is currently considering a formal discussion to propose some changes on the legislations for the traffic offenders. According to BBC, drivers who speed on motorways could face a fine up to £10,000 under new proposals for England and Wales. Read this to find out more..


Drink Driving - You Could go to Prison


Drink Driving - You Could go to Prison

Everyone knows it's an offence to drive when you're over the limit, but not everyone knows that you can go to prison for the offence, and not everyone knows just how technical this area of law is. Having a good lawyer on your side who knows the area well can mean the difference between being found guilty and not guilty of the offence of drink driving. Read this to find out more..


What is ‘totting’ penalty points?


What is ‘totting’ penalty points?

When a driver receives penalty point supon his licence he may continue to drive when the number of points remains below 12..Read this FAQ to find out more..


Driving while using a mobile Telephone. What are my options?


Driving while using a mobile Telephone. What are my options?

The offence of using a handheld mobile telephone while driving is punishable with a fine of £60 on a fixed penalty notice or up to £2500 on conviction as well as 3 penalty points endorsed upon your licence. Read this FAQ to find out more..


What is Driving Without Due Care and Attention? What is Careless Driving?


What is Driving Without Due Care and Attention? What is Careless Driving?

Careless driving is defined as driving which falls below that of a prudent motorist. This is a relatively wide and woolly definition and allows for a large interpretation of what a prudent motorist would do.. Read this FAQ to find out more..


What is Dangerous driving?


What is Dangerous driving?

Dangerous driving has been defined as driving in a manner which falls far below that of a competent and careful driver in circumstances Read this FAQ to find out more..