Expert legal representation for drink and drug driving related offences in and around Cambridge. We can connect you to a specialist motoring offence solicitor who can protect your rights and provide the support you need. Helping you to Defend your licence and keep your livelihood.
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We have access to the very best specialist drink and drug driving motoring offence solicitors in Cambridge. With years of experience providing expert legal representation for individuals facing drink and drug driving charges, you are literally just a click of a button away from gaining access to their specialist legal knowledge. With extensive experience in handling motoring offence cases, our network of defence solicitors understand the complexities of drink and drug driving legislation and can provide the robust defence you need.
Get FREE initial Discovery Call with our specialist solicitors available 24/7 - including weekends and bank holidays. Affordable fixed-fee options designed to fit any budget.
Don't risk your licence or reputation. Just one phone call answering a few simple questions could be the difference between a criminal record with a lengthy driving ban and protecting your future.
We understand that facing drink or drug driving charges can be stressful and confusing. Our experienced team will guide you through the legal process, ensuring you understand your rights and options at every stage.
Drink and drug driving offences are taken extremely seriously by the courts and can result in severe penalties, including disqualification from driving, substantial fines, and even imprisonment in serious cases.
The law sets specific limits for alcohol and controlled drugs in a driver's system. Exceeding these limits is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988, regardless of whether your driving was actually impaired.
It's important to understand that even if you feel capable of driving, being over the legal limit automatically constitutes an offence. The police have powers to stop vehicles and conduct roadside tests if they suspect a driver may be under the influence.
This offence involves driving or attempting to drive a vehicle on a road or public place while unfit to do so because of drink or drugs. The prosecution must prove that your ability to drive properly was impaired.
If convicted, you face:
This involves driving or attempting to drive with alcohol levels above the prescribed limit:
If convicted, you face:
This involves driving with certain controlled drugs above specified limits. The law covers illegal drugs and some prescription medications.
If convicted, you face:
Several legal defences may be available depending on the circumstances of your case:
Our network of experienced solicitors can help evaluate your situation and build a strong defence strategy.
For professionals, a drink or drug driving conviction can have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate legal penalties:
That is why it's important that if you are a professional and have been charged with a motoring offence, to get in touhc with one of our solicitors so they can help you limit the damage that you may face.
Professionals facing drink or drug driving charges need specialized legal representation to protect their careers and reputations. Our team has extensive experience in handling such sensitive cases.
We understand the unique challenges professionals face when dealing with motoring offences and their potential impact on professional licences and career prospects.
Our Drink and Drug Driving Solicitor Network has transparent fee structures and various funding options to ensure you can access the legal representation you need. Our network of experienced solicitors will discuss all costs upfront and help you understand your options.
If you're facing charges related to drink or drug driving in Cambridge, our experienced Solicitor network is here to help. Fill out the form today for a confidential discovery call to discuss your case and understand your legal options.
The legal limits in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are:
Note that Scotland has lower limits: 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, and 67 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine.
Police can test for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside, and screen for a wider range of drugs including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, heroin, and methamphetamine at the police station. The law also covers certain prescription medications such as diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, and morphine when taken above prescribed levels.
For alcohol, police use roadside breathalysers followed by evidential breath testing at the police station. For drugs, they use roadside drug wipes followed by blood tests at the police station. Police can also assess impairment through Field Impairment Tests (walking in a straight line, touching your nose, etc.).
Refusing to provide a specimen without a reasonable excuse is a separate offence that typically carries penalties similar to being convicted of drink driving, and sometimes more severe. A "reasonable excuse" is narrowly defined and medical reasons must typically be supported by medical evidence.
The penalties depend on the level of alcohol and circumstances but typically include:
Yes, disqualification is mandatory for most drink and drug driving offences, with a minimum period of 12 months. The only exception is where "special reasons" can be established (which are rare and narrowly defined).
If you're convicted of a high-level drink driving offence (over 87.5μg breath, 200mg blood, 267.5mg urine), a second offence within 10 years, or refuse to provide a specimen, you'll be classified as a High Risk Offender. This means you'll need to pass a medical examination before getting your licence back after disqualification.
Yes, if offered by the court, completion of a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) course can reduce your disqualification period by up to 25%. The course typically costs between £150-£250.
You'll receive a court date, typically within a few weeks. First appearances for drink driving offences are usually at the Magistrates' Court. You should seek legal advice immediately to understand your options and prepare your case.
The offence of drink driving doesn't depend on the distance driven. However, this might be relevant to sentencing. In very limited circumstances, it might contribute to a "special reasons" argument.
This is where you consumed alcohol after driving but before taking the breath/blood test. To succeed, you need expert evidence showing that had you not consumed this alcohol, you would have been under the limit when driving.
If you unknowingly consumed alcohol (e.g., someone spiked your drinks), this might constitute a defence of "involuntary intoxication." However, this is difficult to prove and requires substantial evidence.
Yes, you can be charged with "being in charge of a vehicle while over the prescribed limit," which carries a lower but still significant penalty. Whether you're "in charge" depends on various factors including your location in the vehicle, why you're there, and your intention to drive.
It can be a defence if you took the medication in accordance with medical advice and your driving wasn't impaired. You should disclose medication to police when tested and seek legal advice immediately if charged.
It depends on your profession, but many jobs requiring driving will be directly affected. Professions requiring disclosure of criminal convictions (medicine, law, teaching, etc.) may require you to report the conviction to regulatory bodies, which could lead to professional consequences.
Check your employment contract: many require disclosure of criminal convictions. If you drive for work, your employer will need to know about any disqualification. Professional regulatory bodies often require disclosure regardless of employer requirements.
Some countries, notably the USA and Canada, may restrict entry for individuals with drink or drug driving convictions. The USA can deny ESTA visa waiver applications, requiring a formal visa application, while Canada may require you to apply for rehabilitative status.
As soon as possible, ideally before your police interview. Early legal advice can be crucial for protecting your rights and building an effective defence strategy.
Our network of specialist solicitors can provide:
Costs vary depending on case complexity, whether you plead guilty or not guilty, and how many court appearances are required. Our solicitor network offers transparent fee structures and will provide clear cost information during your initial consultation.
Even if pleading guilty, a solicitor can make significant differences to your outcome by:
Simply fill out the contact form on this page, and one of our specialist drink and drug driving solicitors will contact you to arrange your free, confidential discovery call.
Get expert legal advice from our specialist drink and drug driving offence solicitors today.
Get Free Discovery CallOur solicitors regularly represent clients at the following courts in and around Cambridge:
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