Drink driving - driving while under the influence of alcohol - is a major offence that can get your license removed in the UK. If you're facing charges of drink driving, it can be intimidating. Your best course of action is to engage a drink driving solicitor to provide the legal aid you need.
Most people don?t understand how complex it can be to defend against a drink driving charge. Because the penalties for driving while drunk are so harsh, getting a proper defence is vital to retaining your license.
Drink Driving Penalties
Most people don?t realize that the penalties for operating or attempting to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol differ based on your history and the degree of intoxication. You may only receive a small fine if you're a first-time offender and have a low concentration of alcohol in your system, though you may end up with a disqualification to drive for up to 16 months. If you depend upon your vehicle for work, that could seriously impact your ability to earn a living. Below is the range of penalties for drink driving based on various factors and situations. However, it should be noted that the courts exercise tremendous discretion in setting penalties.
36 to 59 mg alcohol on a breath test carries penalties ranging from a Band C fine to disqualification of your driving license for 40 months.
60 to 89 mg alcohol on a breath test carries penalties ranging from a Band C fine to disqualification for up to 46 months.
90 to 119 mg alcohol on a breath test carries penalties ranging from medium level community service to disqualification for up to 52 months.
120 to 150 mg alcohol and above on a breath test carries penalties ranging from 12 weeks in custody to up to 60 months disqualification of your license to drive.
Defences Available to You
Assistance from a skilled drink driving solicitor who can advise you is crucial because of the severe penalties involved. An experienced solicitor understands every procedure the police must follow in preparing to charge you with driving under the influence of alcohol - and can often spot a defence that can result in the charge being dismissed.
If you've been charged with drink driving, the right solicitor can use a number of different defences that may prove effective. They include procedural errors made by police in the collection of evidence against you or in the process of dealing with you during their contact with you. If your case involves blood or urine alcohol tests for evidence, there are additional defences that may be employed to get you a beneficial outcome.
When Should You Make the Call?
If law enforcement has pulled you over for suspicion of drink driving in Chatham, London, Kent or anywhere else in the UK, you should contact a criminal solicitor as soon as possible. For the best chance of keeping your license, you should not even wait until you have been formally charged.
Don't take chances with your legal right to drive on the public roads. Contact a solicitor as soon as possible after the driving incident and let him step in to handle your defence.
Author Resource:
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
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