Drink Driving Charges
Drink Driving Charges
Charged with drink driving?
Why not get the specialist Drink Driving Lawyers with a proven track record of 87 to 96% success in helping their clients to keep their driving licence on your side?
If you are facing drink driving charges and there is a risk you could lose your driving licence, it is essential to speak to specialist drink driving defence solicitors before your case reaches court.
You may have defences available to you that you are not aware of, and, if the police and prosecuting authorities have made mistakes in handling your case, it may be possible to have the charges against you dismissed.
We have been helping clients charged with drink driving for over two decades and have an excellent track record of success.
With a success rate of at least 87%, you could not be in safer hands.
Please call us on 033 03411690 or make a Free Online Enquiry for immediate assistance. All enquiries are completely confidential.
“I was facing a very difficult motoring legal situation, but Parnell & Peel (Abdul) was able to guide me through it with expertise and professionalism. Abdul himself was very calm which had a positive effect on me and would response to any queries I had in a timely manner. They were thorough in their explanations and fought hard to achieve the best possible outcome for my case. I highly recommend their services. Thank you Abdul.”
What Are The Charges For Drink Driving?
Drink-related driving charges include:
- Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink
- Penalties could be up to 3 months in prison, a fine of up to £2,500 or a driving ban
- Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink
- Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis
- Penalties for either of these offences could be up to 6 months in prison, an unlimited fine or a ban for a minimum of a year or 3 years if convicted twice within 10 years
- Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink
- Penalties could be life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a minimum driving ban of 5 years and an extended driving test to regain your licence
Defending A Drink Driving Charge
If you ask us to represent you in defending a drink driving charge, we will look at all the circumstances of the event, including:
- The manner in which you were stopped
- Whether the police genuinely had a reasonable suspicion that you were over the drink drive limit
- Whether you have a defence
- Any mitigating circumstances
- Any procedural errors made by the police, laboratories, or the prosecuting authorities
Depending on the evidence, the following issues may be relevant to a defence, special reasons or mitigation. They are not automatically grounds for acquittal:
- Consuming a drink that was spiked
- Consuming alcohol after an accident and before the breath test
- Whether the location was a road or other public place; private ownership alone is not a defence
- Necessity, where you had to drive in an emergency
- Duress, if you were threatened or pressured into driving by someone
- Incorrect analysis of your sample, for example, if the equipment was faulty or your sample was not processed correctly
Other issues that could affect your case include the shortness of the distance driven or a lack of intent to drive if you were in the passenger seat or not inside the vehicle.
We will assess your case and discuss exactly what has happened with you, including following the incident. We will then be able to put together a robust strategy for your defence.
Appealing A Drink Driving Charge
If you have been convicted of drink driving and you believe you have grounds for an appeal, speak to us today. There is a short time limit by which to start the appeals process, and it is important to take action as soon as possible.
We may also be able to ask the court to reinstate your licence until the outcome of your appeal.
Grounds for appealing a drink driving charge and conviction include:
- The correct process was not followed in dealing with your case, and legal or procedural errors were made
- New evidence has come to light that was not available before
- Whether a legal or sentencing error provides grounds to challenge the decision
Alternatively, it may be possible to appeal against the sentence imposed. Personal hardship alone does not remove a mandatory drink driving ban. See our guide to drink driving penalties or ask us about your options.
Why Parnell and Peel Solicitors?
At Parnell and Peel Solicitors, we understand how daunting it is to face a drink driving charge. Going to court is not something most people are used to. Along with this anxiety, there is the worry that your driving record will be tainted with a drink driving conviction or that you could lose your licence. Undoubtedly, this will significantly impact your life and may even result in you losing your job.
If you have recently been charged with a drink driving offence, our solicitors are here to help you. We will use our decades of knowledge and expertise to get the best possible outcome in your case. You might think pleading guilty is your only option, believing there’s no way to avoid a conviction. However, we have the skills to challenge and win seemingly open and shut cases.
Our Results
Our skilled solicitors are experienced in handling motoring complex offences and have an excellent track record. We have successfully defended 87% of the drink driving cases we've handled, with some cases exceeding even this strong success rate, as highlighted below:

Even if you think there is no chance of winning, we know what tactics to use to your advantage.
We've often achieved results far better than our clients anticipated.
We do this because we understand just how important your driving licence is, for you, for your job, career or business, and for your family and friends.
We will do all that we can to help you keep your licence, so please do not delay, call us now on 033 03411690 or make a Free Online Enquiry and let us take the strain from hereon in.
“Thank You, Thank you. I believed my life had ended. I was falsely accused of Rape and I didn’t know where to turn to. I contacted many solicitors, until deciding upon Parnell. It’s the best decision I ever made. The Prosecution offered no evidence, during the Crown Court hearing.”
“Amazing support from Abdul. I had charge from the court for 12 points for two different incidents. Abdul assisted me with this like family and finally got out of the charges. It was nearly a year journey and I never felt left alone. I recommend everyone to seek advice from him, very knowledgeable and helpful.”