Do I Need a Solicitor for Drink Driving?
Drink driving penalties and offences are different in each territory. Throughout the United Kingdom, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an offence. The penalties range from imprisonment, loss of license, and heavy fines. A police officer can stop you and ask for your breath sample randomly. If arrested after taking a breath test, the police may ask you to accompany them to a police station. Following this, you can be charged with an offence.
There are many far-reaching effects that can occur when convicted of drink driving. Read on to understand why you need a motoring solicitor when convicted of a drunk driving offence.
What is the Drink Drive Limit in the UK?
In the UK, it’s an offence to attempt to drive, drive, or be in charge of a motor vehicle on a public place or road if the alcohol content in your system exceeds the stated limits. Today, the current limit is 80 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. It is presumed that your ability to drive was impaired by the high alcohol content in your blood when you provide a sample that exceeds the limit.
Failing to provide the requested specimen within the stipulated time is considered an offence. Therefore, you risk disqualification of holding a driving license if you refuse to present a specimen, fail to provide a urine sample, blood, or breath at the police station, or fail to take a preliminary breath test.
Delaying the preliminary test until your drink driving solicitor arrives at the police station is considered a refusal. It’s therefore essential to give your specimen unless you have underlying medical conditions. In most cases, refusal is regarded as a motoring offence. If the court fails to consider your stated reasons for refusal, the offence will be added to your charges.
Possible Drink Driving Penalties
Multiple charges can be associated with a drink driving offence. A court can slam you with a jail sentence, disqualification, or a fine, depending on your motoring offence or circumstances. Drink driving convictions can negatively affect the cost of your insurance. In addition, the convictions can prevent you from travelling to some countries.
If you were previously convicted of a relevant offence in the last ten years, you could be disqualified for up to 3 years.
Drink Driving Defence Options
Drink driving is a detailed area of law. Depending on your situation, there are several defence options available to you. Therefore, you need to seek professional advice and presentation from a drink driving solicitor. Solicitors are experienced and well-versed in drink driving cases.
It is likely that your car will get towed once arrested on charges of drunk driving. With the help of a licensed solicitor, you can get out of the police station or jail within a few hours.
Benefits of Hiring a Motoring Solicitor
Solicitors know players involved
Drink driving solicitors easily understand the key players involved in a drink driving case. A solicitor quickly determines if the local officers involved are qualified to administer sobriety tests. From the police officers down to the prosecutor. In addition, the solicitors identify whether the officers have faced disciplinary actions in the past.
Solicitors offer advice on the best option for you
Do you go to trial or take a plea when caught driving while drunk? Well, with an experienced solicitor, you can go through all the viable options and choose the ones that favour you. Drink driving involves complicated consequences. Therefore, you need legal help as soon as possible.
They are experts in drink driving cases
When it comes to selecting a motoring solicitor, you need to pick an expert. You should avoid compromising your case with an incompetent solicitor.
Motorist solicitors understand legal standards and rules
If caught drink driving, you need an experienced lawyer who understands the regulations and standards. A solicitor can help identify issues with your case that could lead to dismissal of your case or a lesser sentence.
The bottom line is, drink driving comes with significant consequences. Drivers have become sensitised to the impacts of drink driving over the years. However, there are still substantial prosecutions for this offence in the courts. If an officer pulls you over for hitting the maximum limit, you could face an unlimited fine, a driving ban, and prison time. Worst case scenario, you can lose your license, your job and face an extended driving test to get the license back. To reduce these penalties, you can hire a solicitor to handle your defence.
Shirley Mist has been involved in fashion and design for many years. She has also written extensively for many online publications. She currently writes for The Tribune World and is a valued member of our team.