Drink Driving Penalty
Drink Driving Penalty
If you are facing allegations of driving while under the influence of alcohol, you need to know what the drink driving penalty is. Depending on the severity of the offence, those convicted could face a fine, disqualification, a prison sentence or a combination of the three.
Why not get the specialist Drink Driving Penalty Lawyers with a proven track record of 87 to 96% success in helping their clients to keep their driving licence on your side?
Are you facing a drink driving penalty?
If you have an impending court hearing date and are worried about losing your licence, please contact our specialist drink driving lawyers as a matter of urgency.
Whether you intend to plead guilty or not guilty, our dedicated lawyers will provide you with the best advice and defence.
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.
“Absolutely fantastic result today. I was in court for failure to provide a specimen of breath. Abdul Ali was clear and helpful from start to finish. I was represented by a duty solicitor for the initial stage and I decided to seek more specialist representation. I dropped this on Abdul with around 3 weeks notice to trial. It was a very difficult and complex case and given the timeframe, I thought that he would struggle to come through. That wasn’t the case – He handled it extremely well, and he trawled through the evidence provided by the police (CCTV, Statements, Printouts etc).
He (along with another expert in this field) managed to pickup on the incompetence of the police and their procedures, and his attitude in court was fantastic. He handled the case extremely well and professionally, and the judge made his Not Guilty decision very quickly, despite the prosecution charging like a bull.
Needless to say, 11/10, I would recommend Abdul and his firm to anybody needing Specialist Representation. They are not the cheapest representation, but worth every penny. There’s also potential to claim back costs too!
Ultimately, thank you so much for your assistance with this, I understand how complex it was and the short timeframe you had. If I ever need you again for a driving offence, you’re my first call!”
Should you be charged with drink driving, you need to speak to an expert drink driving defence solicitor promptly. It is often the case that there are failings in the way a case is conducted that could mean we can ask for charges to be dropped. Alternatively, there may be a defence available to you, or circumstances that mean that you should not lose your licence.
Our drink driving solicitors are highly experienced and have an outstanding track record in dealing with drink driving cases. To speak to us today, please call us on tel: 033 00532252 or make a Free Online Enquiry for immediate assistance. All enquiries are completely confidential.
What Are The Penalties For Drink Driving?
Drink driving cases are generally heard in the Magistrates’ Court, although the most serious offences can be referred to the Crown Court. The magistrates or judge will decide on the punishment for drink driving based on the circumstances of the case.
Those convicted of drink driving can expect one or more of the following penalties:
Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit or unfit through drink
- 3 months in prison
- A fine of up to £2,500
- A driving ban of at least a year
Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink
- 6 months in prison
- An unlimited fine
- A driving ban of at least a year, or 3 years if convicted twice within 10 years
Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis
- 6 months in prison
- An unlimited fine
- A driving ban of at least a year, or 3 years if convicted twice within 10 years
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink
- Life in prison
- An unlimited fine
- A driving ban of at least 5 years
The level of fine, length of time in custody and/or period of disqualification will vary depending on the facts of your case, in particular the level of alcohol recorded.
Aggravating features are likely to increase the penalty.
These include:
- Being involved in a road traffic accident
- Carrying passengers at the time of the offence
- A particularly high level of alcohol
- Very poor driving, such as sharp braking, swerving, or excessive speed
- Previous relevant convictions
If you are banned for a year or more, the court may offer a reduction if you agree to take a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme course. It is up to the magistrates or judge as to whether this is offered.
What Are The Penalties For A Second Drink Driving Offence?
If you are convicted of a second drink driving offence within 10 years of a first offence, the penalties for the second offence will be more severe. There is a mandatory driving ban of 3 years, and a much higher risk of a prison sentence.
Because of the potential severity of the punishments for a second drink driving conviction, you are strongly advised to speak to expert drink driving lawyers before entering a plea or attending court.
Why We Are Well Placed To Give You The Best Chance Of Success
If you ask us to represent you, we will go through the circumstances of your case in detail, checking to see whether any errors have been made in the collection or processing of your sample, in the way that you were stopped or detained, or in the prosecution of the case against you.
We will identify any issues that could allow us to request that charges be dropped. Should your case go ahead, we will put together the strongest possible defence on your behalf and ensure that you have expert representation in court.
Those charged with drink driving often assume there is no way to contest this, and may simply accept the charge and penalties. However, our statistics show that there is every chance that you will keep your licence if you ask us to help.
Drink driving charges are often misunderstood by clients and lawyers without expertise in this highly regulated area of law. You have rights which must not be infringed, and it is for the prosecution to both follow the correct procedure throughout and to prove guilt.
Law officers often fail to follow the right process, which is a breach of your rights. We can step in to defend you, ensuring that your interests are observed. Please note that it is crucial to work with expert drink driving solicitors who deal with these types of cases on a daily basis. General solicitors rarely have the understanding to handle a drink driving case in the right way.
We will attend the initial hearing with you, at which you will not be required to speak or answer questions, save for providing your name and how you wish to plead.
Following this, we will work on your case to try to have it dropped wherever possible. Should it go to trial, we will ensure you are thoroughly prepared, including by holding a mock trial with you in advance, so that you understand what questions you will be asked and know how to answer them.
We have an outstanding reputation in the specialist area of drink driving, and we are confident that we will obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf.
We know how vital it can be for you to be able to drive to meet family and work responsibilities, and we will do all we can to protect your licence.
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.
“My solicitor Abdul was professional and very thorough, his understanding of the legal system put me at ease and I was confident I had made the right choice with my representation, which resulted in a successful outcome.
I highly recommend Abdul to anyone who needs legal representation.
Thank you very much Abdul!”
“Hi Abdul, I would like to thank you and your team for looking after me after been charged with Drink Driving, from the initial contact with Nancy to speaking to you and especially Keiran who represented me in court, who I can’t thank enough. When I thought there was no hope you and Kieran sorted what I thought was a hopeless case. I would strongly recommend you to anyone in the same position. Again thank you to you and your team.”
How Many Penalty Points For Drink Driving?
If found guilty of drink driving, there is a mandatory ban of at least one year.
Other implications of a drink driving conviction include:
- A criminal record
- Higher insurance premiums
- Potential employment problems
- Potential travel difficulties
- Potential seizure of your vehicle
- Potential immigration and visa problems
High Risk Offenders
So-called high risk offenders will not have their driving licence returned until they have passed a medical examination. This is carried out by a doctor appointed by the DVLA.
High risk offenders are those who:
- Have been convicted of two drink driving offences within 10 years
- Had an alcohol reading of either:
- 87.5 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath or more
- 200 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood or more
- 267.5 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of urine
- Refused to provide a sample to the police
- Refused to allow a sample to be tested
Contact Our Drink Driving Solicitors
Our expert drink driving solicitors are highly experienced and will put together the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Call us now on 033 00532252 or make a Free Online Enquiry for immediate assistance. All enquiries are completely confidential.