At least subsequent posters actually came up with something helpful.

I suppose there's lawyers and lawyers, thankfully i've had little dealngs with them other than when they emptied my wallet for house purchasing and divorce advice.

I assume this will go to court as even if they let you off with a fixed penalty (most unlikely) you will be over the totting up max, In all honesty all a lawyer can do for you is plead mitigation and my honest opinion is that you can do an equally good job of that yourself, by pleading guilty being contrite apologising and asking for leniency due to xyz.

As for a lawyer waving a magic wand and casting a spell on the magistrates, well they would say that wouldn't they, i doubt any one of them will offer a refund if what they suggest doesn't materialise, but happy to be proved wrong if you find one that does.

Obviously i'm no legal expert, its only mu opinion which is based on what i've seen and not so long ago, over £1000 up the creek on the solicitor and the maximum penalty issued, complete waste of money.

Edited by gordonbennet on 16/04/2018 at 16:52

Do I pay nearly a £1000 for a lawyer ?

No. Save your money for the inevitable hefty fine and costs.

Is there a chance of getting a short ban as solicitors keep saying I can?

No. They are leading you up the garden path.

How long will I be banned for?

You obviously realise that a ban is inevitable. It’s simply a question of how long and what mechanism the court uses to impose it. They have two choices:

(a) impose six points thus making you a “totter” (12 points in three years). This carries a mandatory six month ban unless an “exceptional hardship” argument is accepted.

(b) disqualify you for the single offence itself.

Your speed is so high that it is well into “ban” territory for the single offence. The guidelines for speeds of 76 and above suggest a ban of between 7 and 56 days. But they also say this:

“Where an offender is driving grossly in excess of the speed limit the court should consider a disqualification in excess of 56 days.”

94 is indeed “grossly in excess of the speed limit” and I would not be surprised if they disqualify you for up to six months for the single offence itself. This has two advantages (for the court): Firstly it will prevent you from making an “exceptional hardship” plea (this is only available for “totting up” bans). Secondly it will leave you on ten points, so "concentrating your mind" until the first of your ten points come off.

Is there any point in me getting character references?

None whatsoever. Character references usually mitigate offences of violence or dishonesty. They are of no benefit when mitigating a speeding allegation.

You may be fortunate and encounter a particularly sympathetic Bench who will impose a relatively short ban. But my money is on you being off the road for six months, one way or the other

Edited by Middleman on 16/04/2018 at 23:10