Drink Driving
In the majority of cases, drink driving is committed by people who feel ok to drive. It may be the case that drinks were consumed the previous day and the driver mistakenly believed that they would now be under the limit.
Sentencing
If you are found guilty, or you plead guilty the starting point of the sentence is a minimum 12-month ban.
The ban is considered by the court to be a consequence of being over the limit, you can be punished further by the courts. You could be made subject to a financial penalty, a community penalty, or in more serious cases, a prison sentence. The ban may also be significantly longer than 12 months dependent on how far over the drink driving limit you were.
In addition, there are also far-reaching consequences that many do not consider. You may suffer restrictions on future employment and travel to certain countries. And the cost of motor insurance in the years following conviction is likely to increase.
Defending Drink Driving
It can be possible to avoid a ban if you can present “special reasons” which provide a partial excuse for committing the offence.
Examples can include having your drink “spiked”, the shortness of distance driven, or driving in a genuine emergency (such as medical) when no other options were available. Our team will be able to advise you on whether you have any special reasons available.
Even if your decision is to plead guilty, you will need representation in Court to ensure that all of the circumstances surrounding the incident and your personal life are put to the Court on your behalf.
Drug Driving
Drug driving is one of the most frequently prosecuted offences. It is a criminal offence to drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place when a person has a specified controlled drug in their body which exceeds the allowable legal limit.
This includes legal and prescribed drugs, which in some cases are allowed, but must be under the legal threshold limit.
Sentences for drug driving include a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, and a criminal record.
