Wayne Rooney arrested on suspicion of drink driving

[Drago]

Let's hope he does better than he did for Chris Tarrant.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Let's hope he does better than he did for Chris Tarrant.

What happened with him?

 

[Drago]

GUILTY!!!!

 

[Accy cyclist]

GUILTY!!!!

Of what? Being unfunny maybe?

 

[nickyboy]

Of what? Being unfunny maybe?

There's a few here looking at a 10 stretch in that case

 

[subaqua]

There's a few here looking at a 10 stretch in that case

Post 2 ??

 

[Pale Rider]

Nick Freeman pitched up at Teesside Magistrates' Court a few years ago to represent one of the Middlesbrough footballers.

I didn't speak to him, but the comments from those knockng around the court who did were generally unfavourable.

Worth bearing in mind the season ticket holding local solicitors at any court don't take kindly to 'outsiders' pinching their work, so Freeman was always going to get a frosty reception from some.

He has commented several times that all he does is carefully examine the prosecution case to make sure procedures have been properly followed.

Freeman said in an interview any competent lawyer could - and arguably should - do what he does.

 

[Dayvo]

I like the system used elsewhere where fines for things like speeding and drink driving are related to your wealth. It means they actually have an impact on the wealthy, instead of just being shrugged off.

And this for going only 16 mph faster than the speed limit.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/1759791.stm

 

[Drago]

Nick Freeman pitched up at Teesside Magistrates' Court a few years ago to represent one of the Middlesbrough footballers.

I didn't speak to him, but the comments from those knockng around the court who did were generally unfavourable.

Worth bearing in mind the season ticket holding local solicitors at any court don't take kindly to 'outsiders' pinching their work, so Freeman was always going to get a frosty reception from some.

He has commented several times that all he does is carefully examine the prosecution case to make sure procedures have been properly followed.

Freeman said in an interview any competent lawyer could - and arguably should - do what he does.

I'm sure I read somewhere that his success rate wasn't significantly higher than the average. Its his celebrity clientele and his methods that make him so notorious, with one judge recently accusing him of "sharp practices."

 

[Drago]

No, because provided its not an evidential failing it doesn't usually undermine the validity of the case, although a few will argue and wheedle in the manner of this chap. In the case of this gent he was censured for failing to mention certain facts until the case had concluded, and used them as justification for raising an appeal. This ultimately failed on the basis that had he mentioned them originally the prosecution could have easily rebutted them. He tries to manipulate process to suit his own ends, rather than look for actual evidential failings (although like any solicitor he will find those now and again.)

Oh, and was caught driving his car with no MOT in 2012 and wasn't able to get himself off the hook.

 

[Pale Rider]

I'm sure I read somewhere that his success rate wasn't significantly higher than the average. Its his celebrity clientele and his methods that make him so notorious, with one judge recently accusing him of "sharp practices."

Depends on your definition of success.

Looking at some summaries of Freeman's cases online, there are plenty of convictions, which could be seen as failure.

But Freeman has often managed to barter down the seriousness of the offence, leaving the punter convicted, but with a more lenient penalty than he was looking at.

And besides, don't all defense lawyers concentrate on proceedure as the place to undermine prosecutions?

It comes down to depth of knowledge.

Freeman specialises in motoring, so his depth of knowledge of motoring law is greater than nearly any other lawyer.

The prosecutors he faces are generalists, their next case could be theft or assault or fraud.

Criminal courts are adversarial, so in a battle over a motoring case Freeman will always have the advantage of starting with superior firepower.

 

[Drago]

All solicitors will attempt to mitigate. One of the local legal aid lawyers was far and away the best I ever saw.

I don't see any evidence that this bloke is any better that either.

There will often be specialist prosecutors for anything above and beyond. More complex fraud, rapes, etc. Motoring doesn't require a specialist - its so easy a thick copper can prepare a case and make the decision to prosecute, and more often than not they secure a conviction.

 

[midlife]

Girl in the car as well apparently..... I'd be more scared of the wife than a magistrate !!

 

[Pale Rider]

I don't see any evidence that this bloke is any better that either.

Nor do I.

It comes down to tactics, if you plan to cough the job and throw yourself on the mercy of the court, a good, local lawyer will be your best bet.

Not least because he/she will know the bench and which buttons to press to have the best chance of success.

Also, magistrates are local and tend to trust the advocates they know, and be a bit suspicious of flash lawyers who pitch up at 'their' court from outside the area.

On t'other hand, if you are determined to fight the prosecution come what may, Freeman may be your man.

 

[Freds Dad]

Girl in the car as well apparently..... I'd be more scared of the wife than a magistrate !!

Rooney was driving her home in her Beetle as she was drunk and unfit to drive. Oh the irony.

Hopefully he will do the right thing and plead guilty.