Charged with drink driving after few drink with friend

Convicted Driver Insurance

Blonde56

New Member
Hi there

I went for a few drinks with a friend who lived in newport (I live in Cardiff) We arranged for me to stay at hers at some point I lost her and couldn't get hold of her I made the mistake of getting in my car and driving home. After I arrived home the police came to my house for receiving a call saying I was swerving on the motorway. They asked if I had been driving I panicked and said no.They checked my car engine said it was warm breatholyised me and arrested me I did another breath test at the station and blew 75mg. I don't really remember driving my car and the solicitor advised me to tell them that. I'm now dreading going to court. I've seen online people get character references. I'm going to plead guilty but don't know if it's worth hiring a private solicitor. My duty at the station was no help and I almost felt he was telling me off realistically will a duty help with my mitigation? Do I need to request entering one at court? Should I write my own for court or write one anyway and discuss it with the duty solicitor. How long am I likely to get banned especially as a witness seen me swerving? Will this make things worse? I know 75mg is over but is it very high?
I've never been arrested and gone to court before I feel sick with dread I feel I really need some good advice.
 
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Also my charges are - Contrary to section 5 (1) (a) of the road traffic act 1988 and schedule 2 to the road traffic offenders act 1988. Is it normal to have both when there was no accident and i didn't damage my veichle in any way?:(:(
 
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The wording of the charge relates to one allegation and that is the standard wording relating to an allegation of this type. The wording refers to the legislation related to drink driving allegations not to two separate charges.

A reading of 75µg in breath will put you in a sentencing bracket where the court will consider imposing a disqualification of between 17 and 22 months together with either a community order or a fine. There are a number of factors the court will take into consideration when deciding on penalty with the reading being the most important. Evidence of poor standard of driving could also be referred to. The court will also take your circumstances and character into account and character references can often be a very useful tool in presenting those issues to court. It is important that they are prepared properly and specific advice and guidance about the format and general approach to character references can be tailored to specific offences. It is very possible that, should you simply turn up at court on the day, a duty solicitor will not be available to assist you with your case. They can very often be oversubscribed with other matters and be dealing with more serious cases where there is a risk of prison sentence for the offender. It is not wise to wait until the day of the hearing to bank on the representation of a duty solicitor at court.

Instructing a specialist will mean that you can be specific with the mitigation and issues that are relevant to the offence and that time and preparation can be gone through in advance to ensure that issues can be addressed at court in detail. You can contact a specialist for more direct advice and to discuss options of representation on 0333 323 3732.
 
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