Pleading Not Guilty To Drink Driving
Pleading Not Guilty To Drink Driving
Pleading not guilty to drink driving can be the right choice in many situations, even if you were told you were over the legal alcohol limit when stopped by the police.
However, entering a not-guilty plea is not something we recommend doing alone.
Successfully proving your innocence requires expert analysis of the evidence against you and a deep understanding of the legal system.
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’ve been caught drink driving and are considering a not-guilty plea, please speak with our specialist solicitors first.
We can advise you on the best route to take and give you the best chance of getting your desired outcome.
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.
“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.”
Pleading Not Guilty To Drink Driving: Everything You Need to Know
Here’s everything you need to know about whether a not-guilty plea is appropriate for you.
Can I Plead Not Guilty To Drink Driving?
Yes, you can plead not guilty to drink driving. There are real risks to being convicted of drunk driving. Some of the drink driving court outcomes include:
- A mandatory 12-month driving ban
- A fine, often several thousand pounds, up to a maximum of £5000
- If it’s not your first offence, you could face prison time.
These consequences have a knock-on effect. For example, how will you travel to work if you can't drive? You will also have a criminal record, which may make it more challenging to get a new job or move to a different country.
A not-guilty plea could be worth considering if you know you have a solid legal case. Although this decision means taking your case to trial, being found not guilty would allow you to walk away without any such penalties.
Results Achieved For Our Clients

Drink Driving Not Guilty Plea – Is It The Right Choice?
Whether a not-guilty plea is the right choice for your drink driving charge depends on the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence against you. However, in the UK legal system, the prosecution isn't required to show you the evidence unless you choose to challenge the charge. Unfortunately, this means many people end up pleading guilty and get banned from driving without knowing whether the evidence against them is weak – or if there’s any solid evidence at all.
Benefits of Challenging Your Charge:
Generally speaking, it is worth challenging the charge to force the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to disclose their evidence against you. Since this process is time-consuming and costly for them, they often rely on the assumption that most motorists will simply plead guilty.
By forcing the CPS to follow disclosure requirements, your skilled drink driving solicitor may uncover holes or weaknesses in the case, which we can use to challenge the prosecution effectively. For more details on the technical defences we have used successfully, see our dedicated ‘Drink Driving’ page. With this information and expert advice, you can make a well-informed decision about whether to plead guilty or not.
Do I Need A Solicitor If I Plead Not Guilty To Drink Driving?
Yes, if you are considering pleading not guilty and wish to contest a drink driving charge, you will need a solicitor. However, you need a motor offence specialist, not a free-duty solicitor from the police station. While the latter are dedicated professionals, they often advise clients to accept and mitigate the charge with an early guilty plea. Unfortunately, this still results in a mandatory driving ban from the court.
The best drink driving court outcomes will always come from a specialist lawyer with extensive knowledge of the legal system and plenty of experience handling complex motoring offences. View our excellent testimonials and case studies to learn about the successful results we've secured for previous clients.
What Happens If I Plead Not Guilty To Drink Driving?
If, with your solicitor's expert advice, you decide to plead not guilty, here is what will happen:
- Initial Hearing: You will attend the hearing where you can plead not guilty.
- Case Adjournment: Your case will be adjourned, usually for around three or four months until your trial. If this goes ahead, most drink driving solicitors will aim to get your case dropped.
- Evidence Gathering: Your solicitor will gather and review evidence, such as collecting witness statements or proving the breathalyser used was malfunctioning.
- Court Preparation: If the CPS insists it has a case, your solicitor will help you prepare for court, discussing strategies with the best chance of success.
- Court Representation: Your solicitor will represent you in court. While it is possible to represent yourself, it’s rarely advisable unless you are very familiar with the legal system and public speaking. Magistrates tend not to respond well to simple sob stories.
Speak With A Professional Drink Driving Solicitor Today
The first step before you decide whether pleading not guilty to drink driving is the right choice for you is to talk it over with an expert. Call us now on 033 03411690 or make a free online enquiry with zero obligation. Let's work together to achieve the best possible results.
“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.”
