Advice Needed please

Convicted Driver Insurance

luke.rimmer

New Member
Hi,

Just a bit of background to the case, I was at a social event in Manchester, with plans to share a taxi home to Liverpool with friends - at the time of leaving I could not find my friends, as they apparently had decided to set off home already. I took the decision to drive, as I was not feeling drunk (but knew I was over the limit, I guess) and could see no other way of getting home. On route, according to the hospital, I fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a wall. Blood reading shows 145mg alcohol in 100ml of blood.

I have now received a summons (26th Sept) for a court appearance on 7th October. I am intending to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity and I am aware of what to expect. I am now at the point where I think I need some sort of legal representation, if not only to attempt to minimise the ban I receive (as I really depend on being able to drive for work purposes). I have good character references, but this would be my first time in court and really don't know what to expect. I earn just shy of £11,000 a year and think I could qualify for legal aid, if it is available for cases such as this?

Just looking for some thoughts.

Thanks
 
In motoring cases legal aid is usually only available where there is a risk of a custodial sentence, your reading of 145 in blood puts you into the second bracket of the Magistrates sentencing guidelines. This advises a 17-22 month disqualification and a band c means tested fine, as this is your first offence you should also be offered the drink drive rehabilitation course which will reduce the length of the disqualification by up to 25%. It therefore seems unlikely that legal aid would be available in your case.

If you are interested in representation you are welcome to call my department on 0845 002 0736, we specialise in the area and we can give you a fixed fee quote over the phone to deal with your case.
 
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