Police court & driving licence
Traffic lawyer in Ghent
Assistance with traffic offences, accidents and licence issues.
Legal expense insurance
Many Belgians have legal expense insurance, often included in their car, home or family insurance, or taken out as a separate policy.
Not sure whether you have legal expense insurance? Check your policy documents or ask your insurance broker.
If you have legal expense insurance, it will usually pay my fees as your lawyer, both for your criminal defence and for recovering the damage you suffered, in order to obtain compensation.
What is your situation?
From speeding and alcohol to forfeiture of the right to drive, administrative fines and damage after an accident.
Speeding offences
For serious speeding, a fine may be accompanied by a driving ban. Have the facts and possible consequences assessed legally in advance.
Alcohol and drugs behind the wheel
Depending on the circumstances, a fine, driving ban, forfeiture of the right to drive or additional measures may apply.
Driving under the influence of drugs may also lead to criminal proceedings. The precise assessment depends on findings and evidence.
Driving licence, withdrawal and forfeiture
A licence may be withdrawn immediately or later declared forfeit by the court. That can have major consequences for work and daily life.
Whether a ban can be avoided, limited or shaped differently must always be assessed on the concrete file.
Article 42 WPW physical unfitness and the article 44 WPW request
Article 42 of the Act on Road Traffic Policing allows the right to drive to be forfeited immediately when it is established that you are physically unfit to drive a vehicle, for example following a medical examination or an accident that reveals a physical unfitness. This has major consequences for work and daily life: do not wait, but contact us immediately. Mr Vanlocke has already handled such a case before the Court of Cassation and knows the procedure from the inside.
If the article 42 measure is final, the lawyer can file an article 44 request on your behalf.
Usually 6 months of complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol is required. You can prove this with PETH tests and/or hair sample analyses: you can discuss this in concrete terms with the lawyer.
A lawyer can examine whether the finding of unfitness was made correctly and what steps are possible to restore the right to drive.
Traffic accident and hit-and-run
An accident can have both criminal and civil consequences: injury, material damage, liability and prosecution.
In serious accidents or suspected hit-and-run, prompt assistance is advisable.
The police court
Do not ignore a summons. Have the summons and file assessed in time so the possible defence can be examined.
Do not wait until shortly before the hearing: good preparation needs time to review facts, the report and possible consequences.
Administrative (GAS) fines
Deadlines to challenge a GAS fine are short: usually 15 or 30 days. Contact us promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for the police court?
Not mandatory in every case, but important for serious offences, an accident, a looming driving ban or other severe consequences.
Can a lawyer guarantee that I keep my licence?
No. What can be examined is which arguments can be raised in your file and which consequences are possible.
I was caught speeding. Do I need a lawyer?
Not necessarily for an ordinary offence. For serious speeding, a looming ban or a summons, yes.
Can I appeal a police court decision?
In certain circumstances. Options and deadlines depend on the decision: have a judgment assessed as soon as possible.
Also see Fees · Press & media · Traffic law / traffic criminal law.
Need legal assistance?
Contact us to discuss your case. For urgent criminal matters call or WhatsApp: 24/7.