Motoring Offences and Drink Driving Solicitors
If you are facing a motoring offence or have been accused of drink-driving, getting specialist legal advice from our motoring offence and drink driving lawyers as soon as possible can make a significant difference to the outcome.
At Stryders, our experienced criminal defence solicitors represent drivers facing a wide range of motoring offences, from speeding and careless driving to serious allegations such as dangerous driving, drink-driving and failing to provide a specimen.
Our motoring offences lawyers and drink driving layers can advise you at the police station, prepare your defence and represent you in court. Our team is available 24 hours a day for urgent police station assistance.
Motoring Offences and Drink-Driving
Motoring offences range from relatively minor offences dealt with by penalty points and a fine through to serious offences that can result in a driving ban, a substantial fine or even imprisonment. Our specialist motoring offences and drink driving solicitors can advise and represent you in relation to many offences including:
- Drink-driving and driving over the prescribed alcohol limit
- Failing to provide a specimen
- Drug-driving and Dangerous driving
- Careless or inconsiderate driving
- Driving without insurance or without a valid licence
- Speeding offences
- Using a vehicle without an MOT
- Failing to stop or report an accident
- Causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless driving
- Being in charge of a vehicle while over the alcohol limit
The potential consequences depend on the details of the offence, the circumstances and your previous driving history. Early legal advice from our motoring offences and drink driving lawyers can help you understand what you are facing and identify any available defence or mitigation.
Matthew Bliss – Criminal Defence Solicitor
Matthew Bliss is an experienced criminal defence solicitor with extensive courtroom experience, providing expert advice and representation to clients facing motoring offences and drink-driving allegations.
Stryders’ Motoring Offences and Drink Driving Solicitors: How We Can Help
- Drink-driving
- Drug-driving
- Dangerous driving
- Using a vehicle without an MOT
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without a valid licence
- Speeding offences
- Careless or inconsiderate driving
- Causing death or serious injury
All our discussions are confidential, and we can arrange appointments at the office, at another convenient location, in prison or in custody if necessary.
Specialist Motoring Offence and Drink Driving Solicitors
Stryders are specialist criminal defence solicitors with extensive experience in motoring offences and drink-driving cases. Our experts understand how stressful an allegation can be and how a conviction or driving disqualification can affect your employment, family life, finances and future.
We are committed to providing clear, practical advice and robust representation at every stage of the process. Whether you have been arrested for drink-driving, accused of failing to provide a specimen, or are facing a serious motoring offence, we will take the time to understand your circumstances and ensure your case is properly prepared and presented.
Most importantly, we are there when you need us. Our team provides 24-hour police station representation, helping to protect your rights from the very beginning. If your case proceeds to court, we will continue to provide dedicated support and fight for the best possible outcome.
Stryders offer competitive legal fees for defending all types of motoring and drink-driving offences
If you are going to be interviewed under caution by a police officer, you are entitled to free legal representation at the police station, regardless of your financial circumstances. You also have the right to free legal representation at court under the legal aid scheme if you are under 18.
Ask for Stryders by name. Unlike the uncertainty of a duty solicitor, we will provide expert support for a wide range of offences, including dangerous driving, drink-driving , driving without insurance and drug driving. After your interview, we will contact the police as part of our follow-up service to ensure you know the next steps and any actions you need to take. We may be able to offer a fixed fee for additional assistance beyond the initial interview and court representation.
Legal Aid Solicitors
Everyone is entitled to free legal representation at a police station with the solicitor of their choice, irrespective of their financial means. However, if your case continues beyond that interview you may have to pay for ongoing legal advice unless you qualify for legal aid. If you are entitled to legal aid, all your court costs and legal representation will be paid for by the Government.
• Please note that Stryders do not offer Legal Aid funded representation for drink-driving related offences •
Motoring Offences and Drink Driving Solicitors FAQs
Motoring Offences and Drink Driving Solicitors FAQs
What happens if I am accused of drink-driving?
Drink-driving allegations can be particularly stressful because the police will often arrest you and take you to a police station for further testing and questioning. You may be required to provide a breath, blood or urine specimen. If you are subsequently charged, you could face a driving ban, fine or, in more serious circumstances, imprisonment.
A drink-driving conviction can also have consequences beyond the sentence imposed by the court. If you rely on your vehicle for work, losing your licence could affect your employment and income. It can also increase insurance costs and create difficulties with future travel.
Stryders can advise you from the earliest stage of the investigation and ensure that your case is properly considered before you enter a plea or attend court.
Can I be prosecuted for refusing to provide a specimen?
Yes. Failing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine when required by the police can itself be a serious criminal offence.
The consequences can be severe and may include a driving disqualification, fine or imprisonment.
There may, however, be circumstances in which a person has a legally recognised reason for not providing a specimen. These cases can be technically complicated, which is why specialist legal advice is important.
If you have been accused of failing to provide a specimen, speak to Stryders as soon as possible.
What is the drink-driving limit in England and Wales?
The legal alcohol limit for drivers in England and Wales is:
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine
There is no reliable way to calculate how many drinks you can have before reaching the legal limit because alcohol affects people differently.
The safest approach is not to drive after drinking alcohol.
If you have been stopped, tested or arrested because the police suspect you were over the limit, contact Stryders for specialist advice.
What are the penalties for drink-driving?
The penalty will depend on the offence and the circumstances of the case.
For driving or attempting to drive while over the legal alcohol limit, the potential penalties include:
- A driving disqualification of at least 12 months
- An unlimited fine
- Up to six months’ imprisonment
A second drink-driving conviction within 10 years can result in a minimum three-year driving disqualification.
The court may also consider the circumstances of the offence, the level of alcohol recorded, your previous convictions and any mitigation when deciding the appropriate sentence.
Stryders can advise you about the likely consequences of the charge and whether there are arguments that could reduce the impact on your driving licence or livelihood.
Can a drink-driving ban be reduced?
In some circumstances, the court can offer a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) course.
If you are disqualified for 12 months or more and are offered a place on an approved course, successfully completing it can usually reduce your driving ban by around one quarter.
Importantly, the decision about taking the course has to be made at the appropriate stage of your court case. You cannot simply decide to take the course after the hearing.
Your Stryders solicitor can advise you about whether a drink-drive rehabilitation course is available in your case and ensure that you understand your options before you are sentenced.
What should I do if I have been arrested for drink-driving?
If you have been arrested or taken to a police station, ask for a solicitor before answering questions about the allegation.
Stryders provides free 24-hour police station representation, regardless of your financial circumstances. You can ask for Stryders by name.
Our solicitor can attend the police station, advise you privately and support you throughout the interview process.
You should comply with lawful requests from the police, including requests to provide specimens, but you should obtain legal advice before answering questions about the circumstances of the allegation.
The earlier we become involved, the sooner we can assess the evidence and consider what steps should be taken to protect your position.
What if I rely on my driving licence for work?
Losing your driving licence can have serious consequences if you drive as part of your job or need your vehicle to travel to work.
However, simply explaining that you need your licence for work does not automatically prevent a driving disqualification.
There may be other arguments that can be considered depending on the offence and your circumstances. In appropriate cases, our solicitors can advise you about possible special reasons, mitigation and the sentencing options available to the court.
We will look carefully at the individual circumstances of your case rather than treating your offence as a standard motoring conviction.
What happens if I am facing a serious motoring offence?
Serious motoring offences can involve complex evidence and significant penalties.
For example, allegations of dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous or careless driving can result in lengthy disqualification periods and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment.
Our criminal defence solicitors can examine the evidence, advise you about your options and represent you throughout the proceedings.
Where appropriate, we can also work with specialist experts and barristers to build and present your defence.