Hire a Lawyer for Drink Driving Offences

The police have broad powers to stop you when driving your vehicle because they can pull you over for almost any reason. If you are signalled to pull your vehicle over, you should do so when it is safe because not pulling over is a crime. If you have been stopped for a driving offence, such as drink driving, then you may need to contact a criminal lawyer to help you.

Drink Driving

Drink Driving Laws

When the police pull you over, they can order you to take a breathalyser test, even if there are no indications that you have been drinking. The police can ask for a breath test when:

  • They pull you over for a driving offence
  • If you’re involved in a driving accident
  • If they suspect you’ve been drinking

You can be arrested if you refuse to take a breath test, unless you have a reasonable excuse not to take one. If you are physically or mentally unable to take a breath test, then you do not have to supply a breath sample when it is requested. If you do take a test and pass it, then you may be released by the police at the scene. However, if you fail the breath test, then you will be arrested.

Drink Driving Limits

There are strict limits on alcohol consumption for drivers, but it can be difficult to determine how many drinks are associated with the limits because it is different for each person. Throughout most of the United Kingdom, including England, the alcohol limits are:

  • 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres for a breath test
  • 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres for a blood test
  • 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres for a urine test

Alcohol affects people in different ways because of their weight, age, gender, metabolism, the last time they ate, and stress levels at the time the test was taken. If you fail the roadside breath test, you will be arrested and taken to a police station where another test will be administered.

Penalties for Drink Driving

The penalties for drink driving can be severe, so you will want to contact a criminal lawyer in London as soon as you can after you’ve been arrested. You don’t even have to be driving in order to be arrested and penalised for drink driving. Simply being in charge of a vehicle and being over the alcohol limit can cause you to be imprisoned for up to three months, fined up to 2,500 pounds and you could lose your driving privileges.

Even if you are guilty of drink driving, you need to hire a criminal lawyer to help you with your case. They may be able to get your penalties reduced if they can successfully defend you by showing the court that proper procedures were not followed at the time of your arrest. You should be allowed to contact an attorney shortly after arriving at the police after you’ve been arrested, so do so as soon possible.

Your Turn To Talk