Perverting the course of justice is one of the most serious criminal offences that can arise from what begins as a relatively minor motoring matter. Every year, drivers who try to avoid penalty points, fines, or disqualification by providing false information to the police find themselves facing Crown Court proceedings and custodial sentences.
At M.A.J Law, we regularly advise clients who are shocked to learn that an attempt to “make a problem go away” has instead escalated into a life-changing criminal allegation. This article explains what perverting the course of justice means in driving cases, the types of behaviour that lead to prosecution, the penalties involved, and, crucially, why relying on legal aid in these cases is often disastrous.
What Is Perverting the Course of Justice?
Perverting the course of justice occurs when someone deliberately acts in a way that interferes with or obstructs a police investigation or court process. In motoring cases, this offence most commonly arises when a driver attempts to conceal who was driving or falsify the circumstances of an offence.
Unlike speeding, careless driving, or even dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice is an indictable offence. This means it is dealt with in the Crown Court and frequently results in immediate custody, even for individuals with no previous convictions.
Common Motoring Scenarios That Lead to This Charge
1. Providing False Driver Details
One of the most frequent triggers is dishonestly responding to a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) or Section 172 request, which legally requires the registered keeper to identify the driver at the time of an offence.
Examples include:
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Naming a friend, partner, or relative as the driver when they were not
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Claiming the driver was “unknown” when this is untrue
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Giving incorrect addresses or false identities
🚨 Case study example
A company director facing a potential totting-up ban named an overseas acquaintance as the driver of a speeding vehicle. Investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in passport and travel records. The original speeding offence was irrelevant by the time the case reached court - the defendant received 8 months’ immediate custody for perverting the course of justice.
2. NIP Farms and Points-Dodging Schemes
So-called “NIP farms” are organised schemes where individuals falsely accept penalty points in exchange for money. These operations are far more common than many people realise, and far easier for authorities to detect than offenders expect
Typical red flags include:
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One individual repeatedly accepting points for multiple vehicles
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Drivers allegedly “abroad” at the time of numerous offences
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Recycled names, addresses, or contact details
Police, the DVLA, and insurance databases routinely cross-reference this information. Once a pattern is identified, investigations escalate rapidly into conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
🚨 Case study example
In one widely reported case, several drivers used the same individual to accept points for speeding offences. The investigation uncovered years of fraudulent declarations. Multiple defendants received custodial sentences ranging from 6 to 18 months, along with criminal records that permanently damaged their careers.
3. False Claims After Road Traffic Collisions
Perverting the course of justice can also arise following an accident, particularly where a driver:
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Falsely claims the vehicle was stolen
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Provides fake insurance details
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Alters or destroys dashcam or CCTV footage
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Persuades another person to take responsibility for the collision
These cases often begin as insurance or traffic matters but quickly escalate once dishonesty is identified.
Penalties for Perverting the Course of Justice
Courts treat this offence as an attack on the integrity of the justice system itself. As a result, sentencing is severe.
If convicted, you may face:
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Immediate imprisonment (often 6 months to 2 years)
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A permanent criminal record
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Driving disqualification
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Substantial fines and prosecution costs
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Long-term consequences for employment, travel, and professional licences
In many cases, the punishment is far worse than the penalty for the original motoring offence.
Why Legal Aid Is Effectively Useless in These Cases
This is one of the most important (and most misunderstood) points.
Legal Aid Is Rarely Available
Perverting the course of justice cases almost never qualify for legal aid, particularly where the defendant:
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Is in employment
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Owns property
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Has savings or assets
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Earns above the strict financial threshold
Even when legal aid is technically granted, it is often limited in scope and subject to clawback.
These Cases Demand Specialist Preparation
Perverting the course of justice allegations are factually complex, document-heavy, and often rely on:
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Disclosure analysis
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Timeline reconstruction
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Digital and communication evidence
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Strategic plea advice at an early stage
Legal aid funding does not allow sufficient time or resources to properly prepare these cases. Solicitors are restricted in the work they can carry out, which can directly affect outcomes.
🚨 Real-world pattern we see
Clients who initially rely on legal aid often come to us after significant damage has already been done- poor advice at the police interview stage, missed opportunities to control the narrative, or early guilty pleas entered without a full understanding of sentencing consequences.
Early Advice Can Mean the Difference Between Prison and Survival
Once false information has been given, options narrow rapidly. The timing and strategy of how a case is handled can significantly influence whether a custodial sentence is inevitable.
This is not an area where “doing the minimum” is sufficient.
The Importance of Getting Specialist Legal Advice Early
If you are under investigation for:
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Giving false driver details
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Using a NIP farm
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Any allegation involving dishonesty connected to a motoring offence
Do not attempt to fix it yourself. Do not assume honesty later will undo the damage. And do not rely on under-resourced legal aid representation for an offence that routinely sends first-time defendants to prison.
Our Advice at M.A.J Law
At M.A.J Law, we specialise in high-risk motoring and criminal defence cases, including allegations of perverting the course of justice. We understand how these cases are investigated, how prosecutors build them, and critically - where they can be challenged.
Early, expert advice can:
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Prevent further damage
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Control disclosure and interviews
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Identify mitigation opportunities
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Protect your liberty, livelihood, and future
Facing an Investigation?
If you have been contacted by the police or fear an allegation may arise, speak to a specialist immediately. The cost of proper representation is insignificant compared to the consequences of getting this wrong.
📞 Contact M.A.J Law today for expert, confidential advice.
