Drink Driving Solicitors

At Cartwright King we have a national team of Drink Driving Solicitors who are on hand to defend your licence. We understand how important your licence is which is why we provide free initial telephone advice on our dedicated motoring line. We have a vast amount of experience in successfully defending people accused of drink driving related offences. We have Legal 500 solicitors across the country which means we can assist wherever you are and we also offer fixed fees.

Your Drink Driving defence

Motoring matters are by their nature complex, this often results in procedural errors being made by the police.  In such cases we may advise you to plead not guilty and seek to get the case dropped at Court.

Our drink driving solicitors are well versed in the procedural rules that the police need to adhere to and are experts in looking for errors or omissions.

Each case is different and considered on its own facts which is why it is important to speak to us early on. We can obtain all the facts and where necessary instruct an expert to provide evidence.

Being charged with a drink driving offence is a serious matter. Our team regularly defends individuals in the whole range of drink driving related offences such as:

• Driving with excess alcohol
• Drunk in charge
• Failing to provide a specimen
• Driving whilst unfit
• Driving with excess drugs

Excess Alcohol

Driving a ‘mechanically propelled vehicle’ on any public road or a place to which the public have access, whilst you are over the prescribed alcohol limit is an offence.

There may be procedural errors in the police’s handling of the arrest or taking of evidence. This can lead to a successful defence or the case being dropped by the court. Call us today to discuss your circumstances.

If you are convicted, the Court must impose a minimum penalty is a 12 month driving ban, which is why it’s important to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

Drunk in charge

This charge is brought where there is no evidence of “driving”. You may be not guilty if we can show that the vehicle would not have been driven while levels of alcohol were over the limit. In these cases the Court has a minimum sentence of 10 penalty points, but in serious cases immediate bans can follow. Speaking to our solicitors will ensure you have the best chance of avoiding that.

Failing to provide a specimen

If you were unable to provide a specimen and the police charged you, the Court’s starting point is an 18 month ban. However by contacting our motoring team this may be avoided.

The offences usually happen when someone is suspected of drink driving and, arrested but refuses or fails to allow a specimen to be taken. There can be valid defences if certain procedures are not followed or if you have a reasonable excuse. Contact us today for further advice.

What are Special Reasons for Driving Offences

In some cases, there may be no defence to run, however there may be special reasons for the offence. If established these reasons can give the Court a discretion not to impose the otherwise inevitable ban from driving. An argument for special reasons, will be something which does not amount to a defence and relates directly to the reason the offence was committed. Some examples include:

• Being under duress
• Drinks were spiked
• Driving only a short distance
• And many more.

These are difficult arguments to raise and often involve evidence from experts and cross examination of various witnesses. We have a vast amount of experience in arguing special reasons.

Why choose Cartwright King to defend against your Drink Driving charge?

Our drink driving solicitors are on hand to look through all the elements of your charge. We can advise you if a defence is available and fully prepare it and provide legal representation. We always fight to ensure the best outcome for our clients.

We will explain the process to you and the likely outcomes, advising every step of the way.

We understand that these matters may affect your career, business and family life which are why we’re here to take the worry off your hands.

If you are thinking of pleading guilty you should contact us for a free initial telephone discussion as this may not be your only option.

We can also help if you are pleading guilty, by arguing for leniency in the penalties that the court may impose.

Please remember that drink driving offences can lead to:

• The loss of your job
• Medical examinations before driving again
• Rehabilitation courses
• Potential imprisonment (in more serious cases or repeat offenders)
• Visa restriction in Australia and USA
• Heavy fines
• Criminal Record