DRINK DRIVING SENTENCES

[feather15]

Brief Description of Offence:
blood results of 158 - just under twice over. Drove back from a friends house about half a mile away after a bottle of wine earlier in the evening. Got pulled over by an off duty special who stated I was driving erratically and had hit the kerb. I was right by my address. Called in police officer failed roadside blow and had blood taken at station.


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
158 in blood


Mitigating Factors:
Short distance driven , clean licence for 27 years - no other previous convictions, no passengers or accident' working professional



Aggravating factors
special officer statement saying erratic driving and hitting kerb


Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes


Sentence:
18 months ban, 650 fine


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and will take


Sentence Comments:
pleased on result magistrates were nice and fair. The court experience was not half as scary as expected. My advice is get a solicitor - mine was excellent and made the whole experience more bearable - could never have represented myself.

As I had to wait for my results for nearly 7 weeks and then a further 2 for the appearance the experience has been horrific. I made a stupid selfish decision and am mortified that I could have hurt some one else. It has also been an expensive decision - over 1000 to date and then the hike in insurance when I get my licence back. I deserve my punishment and will well and truly learn my lesson. Will not ever consider having even one drink if I am driving in future.


(Emotions when caught drink driving)Please click here to share your emotions and other reactions both before, during and after the event.

 

[bartender]

Brief Description of Offence:
Worked all day in the pub, had a pint after work & drove to local town to have 1 or 2 more. I ended up having 5 pints in all off strong cider (5.5%). I thought I was ok to drive. After dropping a friend home I took a new route home (a road I didn't know) & came off on a corner, writing off my car. I left the car as my phone was out of battery walked to a local petrol station & hailed a cab home from there. The police were waiting for me at my house. I blew 37 at my home & was then taken to the police station.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Initially breath at the roadside, I blew 37. Approx 45minutes later I blew 45 & 47 at the police station. I elected to go for a blood test, it took 6 weeks to return & came back as 96mg.

Mitigating Factors:
Clean driving licence & no previous convictions.

Aggravating Factors:
Leaving the scene of an accident, although I was polite & compliant when I was arrested.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes - Duty Solicitor

Sentence:
12 months ban, £85 court costs & £23 victims surcharge with £230 fine.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes & I intend to take the course within the 6 months that the court has asked.

Sentence Comments:
Exactly what I expected & I was lucky with the fine as Duty Solicitor advised that my fine could be about £600-700.

 

[toostupid]

Brief Description of Offence:
Had a lot of beer gradually during the day while fixing up an old car. Then had a (very) large whiskey at around 10pm. Stupidly decided to drive to go and get food. Pulled over after police saw car weaving and I scuffed a kerb with one tyre.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Straight to the station and breathalysed, blew 129 and was kept in cell overnight.

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions, very good reference from an elderly lady I look after.

Aggravating Factors:
None apart from incorrect police statement as mentioned below.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes - Barrister.

Sentence:
24 months ban, £260 fine

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, will be doing it.

Sentence Comments:
Lighter than I thought - the Police stated that I had veered off the road and crashed into a road sign (which did not happen - no damage to car at all and the road sign I allegedly hit is unmarked). Advised by Barrister not to appeal as this magistrate is known to be harsh, and will take the police's word over yours every time, no matter the evidence. In and out of the court in about 3 minutes flat.

 

[Gutted123NI]

Brief Description of Offence:
Had a few drinks with mates, stupidly decided to drive home.. Simple stop and test.


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
82mg breath


Mitigating Factors:
clean driving licence, good police statement saying I was remorseful and co operated fully. Character reference from work and letter of apology to the judge.


Aggravating Factors:
High reading, over double but not enough to be classed as HRO


Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes.. Family friend, charged me £90 and was brilliant


Sentence:
12 month ban, £150 fine and £15 court costs.


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and I will definitely be doing it, taking my ban to 9 months


Sentence Comments:
Definitely thought I would get 16month ban as a guy in the same court last week did with a reading of 91mg breath. Have well and truly learnt my lesson and look forward to getting behind the wheel again..

 

[hugemistake]

Brief Description of Offence:
Had a few drinks with mates, stupidly decided to drive home.. Simple stop and test.


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
82mg breath


Mitigating Factors:
clean driving licence, good police statement saying I was remorseful and co operated fully. Character reference from work and letter of apology to the judge.


Aggravating Factors:
High reading, over double but not enough to be classed as HRO


Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes.. Family friend, charged me £90 and was brilliant


Sentence:
12 month ban, £150 fine and £15 court costs.


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and I will definitely be doing it, taking my ban to 9 months


Sentence Comments:
Definitely thought I would get 16month ban as a guy in the same court last week did with a reading of 91mg breath. Have well and truly learnt my lesson and look forward to getting behind the wheel again..

you were lucky. My reading was much lower than yours and I got an 18 month ban. You received a lower sentence than your reading bracket going by current guidelines. There is no fairness in sentencing. I did the course but my ban was still 13.5 months. I would go out and celebrate if I were you.

 

[badtime]

Brief Description of Offence:
None I believed I was not over the limit (although I was)


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
170mg blood (when I tested the sample that was provided to me it came out at 201)


Mitigating Factors:
clean driving licence and full cooperation during arrest and subsequent test at the police station

Aggravating Factors:
High reading, over double but not enough to be classed as HRO


Legal Representation at Court?:
Specialist solicitor and barrister - total cost £6000, since outcome was positive will get most cost back from central funds


Sentence:
None. Pleaded not-guilty. Case was won 9 months after arrest. Sentence - Toughest 9 months of my life, was in a state of depression will not step into a car (unless being driven) under the influence. Specialist solicitors raised a case where I had nothing to defend but only argued procedures weren't carried out properly. During the case the officers turned out as witness but another crucial witness (med practitioner) didnt turn up. That was enough for the barrister to prove that there was no case.


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Not applicable


Sentence Comments:
Definitely thought I would get 16month ban as a guy in the same court last week did with a reading of 91mg breath. Have well and truly learnt my lesson and look forward to getting behind the wheel again..

 

[badtime]

Brief Description of Offence:
Had a few drinks with mates, stupidly decided to drive home.. Simple stop and test.


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
82mg breath


Mitigating Factors:
clean driving licence, good police statement saying I was remorseful and co operated fully. Character reference from work and letter of apology to the judge.


Aggravating Factors:
High reading, over double but not enough to be classed as HRO


Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes.. Family friend, charged me £90 and was brilliant


Sentence:
12 month ban, £150 fine and £15 court costs.


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and I will definitely be doing it, taking my ban to 9 months


Sentence Comments:
Definitely thought I would get 16month ban as a guy in the same court last week did with a reading of 91mg breath. Have well and truly learnt my lesson and look forward to getting behind the wheel again..

Sorry copied and pasted the headlines and copied the entire sentence comments section from the previous post. Only comments is that I have learned my lesson in a very tough way over the past 9 - 10 months. I am convinced driving under the influence is just simply not an option. But unfortunately most people who come to this forum are in some sort of trouble and this post was merely to give you hope that if you fight for it might turn out that you will get a second chance to live your life without a criminal record.

 

[sarahlouise87]

Brief Description of Offence:
drinking at a friends, was meant to stay the night. didnt, got in the car with my son!!


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
116 breath test, nearly 4x


Mitigating Factors:
clean driving licence and full cooperation during arrest and subsequent test at the police station, apology letter to judge (highly recommend doing one of these)

Aggravating Factors:
High reading, child in car, clipped a roundabout


Legal Representation at Court?:
duty solicitor, who was very good, no charge


Sentence:
2 year ban, £500 fine


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation
yes, will get 4 months off my ban


Sentence Comments:
Have well and truly learnt my lesson!! could have been soo much worse!

 

[whiterabbit]

Brief Description of Offence:
Was out for a Sunday drive on the motorbike. Had been drinking the night before, didn't feel 100% as it was, got invited by friends for a drink at 7pm, Had 4 pints with friends (5.5% abv), was feeling too confident, lying to myself that I was fine. I should have just went home right away but friends said they were going into the town and I followed (one friend not drinking drove others). Had another pint but didn't finish it as I knew i was over and drove home. Right away in town cops puled me over as my rear light had come off.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
87ug in breath... blew 92ugfirst then blew 87ug.

Mitigating Factors:
No drink driving convictions, business owner of clothing store for 4 years, cooperative with police

Aggravating Factors:
Blew 87ug, no rear light on motorbike, no license plate (both fell off that night and were in bag), no MOT (ran out 4 days prior), turned down a one way street in town center on a Sunday bank holiday night.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Duty solicitor represented me for free on the day (she nailed it and did very well.

Sentence:
I was shi**ing it that I was gonna either get community service or £3000 ban! Or custodial sentence... Well was no need to worry.. Got 20 month ban with option of drink drive course reducing it to 15 months and £200 inc costs and fines.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes - will take as soon as I have the money, still waiting on the forms and letters to come through the post.

Sentence Comments:
I am accepting of what has happened, I was stupid to be driving like that after nearly 5 pints of strong beer. Just pure stupid and accept the ban.

(Emotions when caught drink driving)Please click here to share your emotions and other reactions both before, during and after the event.

 

[Argh]

Brief Description of Offence:
Very pissed, at home, fell asleep on sofa, woke up and realised a dilemma - It was early evening, and I had little booze left and shop closing in like 10 minutes. Convinced myself I'd slept off the earlier binge and drove 200 yards to shop. Whilst driving felt pissed, so decided to leave car at shops. Didn't plan out because I:

A/ Dropped the cigarette I was smoking on the floor of my 1 week old car(!)
B/ Reached down in a panic to retrieve it
C/ Caught the step sticking out the back of a Transit van parked in the car park
D/ Was spotted by people smoking outside the pub
E/ Two drunk men tried ripping me out of my car, swearing and kicking my car.

Now I had a panic attack (was suffering from these badly at that time). Shouted my address to the two drunk abusers, drove 200 yard home. Drank ALL the booze I could find left indoors before the police came (around 3 litres of 5% beer).

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
In breath - 135

Mitigating Factors:
Drove such a short distance, no record, totally compliant with police.

Aggravating Factors:
Lots apparently! First the drunks made up loads of rubbish, and to my astonishment the police used this against me. They were more drunk than I was, AND I think they were driving that van.... Anyway, so that and when I got 'home' I parked on the wrong driveway (to be fair it's an estate, they all look the same, and I was having a panic attack and of course I was pretty drunk). So I got out of the car, tried entering a neighbours house, realised my mistake, panicked, jumped BACK IN the car, reversed too fast into a different neighbours car(!), couldn't for the life of me work out where I lived so dumped car in the road and got out, worked out where I lived and went home on foot whilst the neighbours were all hanging off me trying to detain me while the whole damn street were ringing the police. I'm a big guy and was full of adrenalin from the panic, so nothing could stop me getting to my safe place.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Hmmm. I got the dumbest, worst, senile solicitor in the world. Took a few court visits, as he asked for a judge not magistrate? Then he forgot to argue about the post drinking, nor did he mention panic attacks etc (there's lots more to this but I'm keeping it short). In fact for my last appearance he FORGOT I was being sentenced that day and it was pure luck the tosser happened to of been at court and just finished another case. Straight after sentencing he apologised and said 'no charge'. WOW ​

Sentence:
36 month ban. £85 costs. 25% course reduction. 100 hours charity shop (loved that, working with lots of pretty girls who couldn't put me down and kept giving me presents! I sent them flowers and a big card to say goodbye) Oh and my probation officer was DROP DEAD GORGEOUS! (bought her flowers to say goodbye ) And a 6 month alcohol treatment, but I quit drinking straight after sentencing anyway (bought the counsellor lady a really pretty potted plant to say thanks and goodbye).. I know I know but I am 50% Italian.​

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes done it. Crap. Everyone said the same 'it's making me want to drink'. And I went from being teetotal for 8 months, to a massive binge right at the end of the course. Crap but at least I earned the 25%. Teetotal again after thankfully.

Sentence Comments:
Judge was great. He told my solicitor to butt out. The solicitor was just making stuff up etc. Judge said "have you listened to the police interview?", of course he hadn't, judge had and said to me "shall we put this to bed now mr x?". He could see anxiety was killing me! He said there will not be a custody sentence because of how good I was with police, no previous etc. Had a probation report done. Then sentenced. When being sentenced he said don't put me in the box, because it was too scary and might make me feel like I'm going away, so he said sit with solicitors. Prosecution said they wanted to discuss compensation for everyone involved(?) Judge said very sternly there'll be none of that, Mr X was well insured (I work for an insurance company) and he's finishing the whole matter right now.
So I was relieved, but if they'd taken into account the post driving drinking, I should of got less ban. I know the accidents make it seem like I was wasted, but the enormous panic attack was insane, and hard to appreciate if you have never suffered...

I was too ashamed to even remember the event before. Seems I'm finally getting to the point of 'looking back and laughing'. There's only so much self punishing you can do, and I'll never DD again, so I for one am really happy I'm beginning to look back without dread and panic, although it's borderline.

2 weeks since medical done............. waiting on licence now............. ban ends in 7 weeks............​

 

[helen4476]

Brief Description of Offence:
Had dinner with some friends and had 3/4 glassses of wine. Stupidly got in my car at 11pm and got about 300 yards when I went into the back of a range rover. Unbeknown to me a friend who hadnt been drinking had followed me in their car trying to get me to pull over and stop as he knew Id been drinking. Next think I knew the driver was pulling me out of my car and I heard him say, she is f****g p****d. Police came and I was taken to the police station overnight. I was released the next morning - still a bit drunk and I remember the police officer telling me that my car was a right off. They let me phone the duty solicitor but I couldnt speak to them as I was crying so much.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath reading was 96 at roadside and 106 at station,

Mitigating Factors:
Had no previous convictions, clean licence. Arrived at court with letter of apology to the police, the owner of the range rover, the courts and several character references.

Aggravating Factors:
None.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, I employed a private solicitor as although I was completely guilty, I wanted someone to represent me in court to say that I wasnt a bad person, but Id make a stupid stupid mistake. He charged me £500 but we were only there for an hour so for my second court appearance he wouldnt take any more money from me, but I felt really guilty when I was the last person of the afternoon to be seen by the courts.

Sentence:
24 month ban (reduced to 18 with the course) £1000 fine.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes - I completed the course and found it really interesting. I was nervous of going thinking I was going to be the only female, oldest person ect...but there were people from all walks of life and all ages.

Sentence Comments:
Appeared but needed a probation assessment. It wasn't easy and I was determined not to cry whilst I was there. By this point my family had turned against me, so when the probation officer asked if my family had been supportive that's when I broke down. Due to the nature of my job I was unable to do community service or have the curfew applied (she said the courts were not in the business of seeing people out of work!!). On my second appearance, the magistrates could tell I was remorseful. So, 24 months, £1000.00 fine.

It took me months to come to terms with what I had done. The only good thing that came out of it was that no one else was injured, or worse, because of my stupidity. This was March 2011 and only now have I being able to stop hating myself for what I did. ​

 

[dugm]

Brief Description of Offence:
went to a party xmas night was feeling a bit down as i lost my younger brother last xmas so my gf asked me to have a few drinks to try n cheer me up i dont normally drink because i drive a hgv anyway by midnight i drank a 70cl bottle of vodka by myself had a little fall out with the gf who left to walk home which is around half a mile away so i decided to drive to catch her up (big mistake) i only got 100 yards and got stopped by police van

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
breath at station 91ug and 90ug

Mitigating Factors:
clean license, 20 years no claims, hgv driver, quiet roads, no accident ect ect

Aggravating Factors:
none

Legal Representation at Court?:
yes duty solicitor highly recommended

Sentence:
15 month ban £215 fine and costs

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
yes i will be doing it 3 month and 1 week off my ban course is £150

Sentence Comments:
very happy with the outcome i was expecting at least 24 month ban

 

[ally]

Brief Description of Offence:
went out the night before, drunk plenty, stayed in all the following day, had two drinks that evening drove 3/4 way home and was pulled, I felt totally fine, blew 96, all I had done was topped up from the previous night.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 96ug

Mitigating Factors:
first offence, police rang my employer prior to me attending court I lost my job, that's with my MP as I can smell a rat as procedure wasn't followed I have done hours of research

Aggravating Factors:
non


Legal Representation at Court?:
Duty solicitor I thought was a waste of time at first but turned out ok

Sentence:
24 month ban £145 costs and 6 week community order curfew 9-6 the lady arrived two days after me attending court at 11.50pm ten minutes from the cut off and stayed about an hour. I wasn't best pleased.


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes, taken paid for and getting it over and done with.

Sentence Comments:
told to be at court at 9.30am went in at 15.40, surprised at the police account of what happened that I shouted and wailed? A lone female driver subdued by six male officers? shocked I was taken to a police station 25 miles away from where I lived, when released offered a bus pass to get home when I didn't even know where I was? offered breakfast and when I asked if there was a choice being told yeah if you want breakfast or not. But most of all I accepted I had done wrong, I did all that was asked of me and at all times co operated. I admit I was in the wrong that evening and I will accept the consequences which I have however I would expect those that enforce the law should also follow procedure. I can not disclose what I mean at this point but watch this space.

 

[AhBugger]

Court Today

Had an accident on 10th July, pulled out of a juncion and got hit by another car, luckily no one was hurt thank God!

Got breathalyzed and blew 64 - had had a drink prior to driving - I know, stupid.

Both cars were a write off, legally it was my fault as the other car was already on the road, insurance has agreed to cover third party but not my costs due to failing the roadside test - £350 down the drain just to get the car recovered!

Spent 6 hours in the cells and blew 61 as the lowest.

Had court today, represented myself as there seemed little point in hiring a solicitor for a guilty plea and had no real mitigating factors.

Magistrate was very good, the sentencing ban was 17 - 22 months but he gave me 16 months and the DDR which will cut it down to 12 months. With costs, victims fee, prosecutor charges and fine, total I owe is £850, payable at £100/month starting from next month.

Expensive mistake, but warranted!

Just hoping it doesn't make the papers or I could lose my job - thats the last hurdle!

 

[StupidSouth]

Brief Description of Offence:
Went to a friends had a few cans, stayed for a while, thought i'd left it long enough.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Blew 54

Mitigating Factors:
No previous, pleaded guilty straight away. Offered no excuses. Did write an apology letter that I handed to the court. Asked leniency due to needing car for work.

Aggravating Factors:
None.

Legal Representation at Court?:
No

Sentence: 12 months, reduced by 25% by completing an awareness course. So 9 months. Fine £200 plus all extra costs so in total just over £500.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes - 100% i will attend

Sentence Comments:
Fair Sentence.
I was a stupid boy.

 

[Jackg100]

Default Re: DRINK DRIVING SENTENCES
Brief Description of Offence:
Went ou with mates, no intention to drive home, got taxi back to friends and he did a runner so I was stuck and foolishly got the cab back to my car. Started to drive home after a nap, got tired and stopped at the side of the road to sleep. Was woken up by police and stank of booze...

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Blew 82

Mitigating Factors:
No previous, pleaded guilty straight away. Offered no excuses. Apologised and was cooperative from the start. Also read a speech of mitigation in court apologising and admitting I put lives at risk and that a ban was the least I deserved. Also outlined some personal difficulties as well as highlighting how vital my car was for my independence (I'm in a wheelchair).

Aggravating Factors:
None. Perhaps a member of the public thinking I'd had a cardiac arrest when I was asleep and breaking the window of my car as I was unresponsive. Stank of booze and slurred speech.

Legal Representation at Court?:
No

Sentence: 16 months, reduced by 25% by completing an awareness course. So 12 months. Fine £480 plus all extra costs so in total around £600.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes - 100% i will attend

Sentence Comments:
Grateful for leniency. Pointed out ban would have been 21/22 months but for my speech which they appreciated. Guidance was 17-22 months so 16 months was about the best I could have hoped for. Will still be tough but I shouldn't have done it...

General advice: Personally I'd be honest and respectful throughout, a solicitor suggested trying to negotiate drunk in charge to avoid a ban but that would have just undermined my remorse and probably have led to a longer sentence. At the end of the day we've done wrong and if you can't own up to that then you're only going to do it again anyway...

Take it on the chin and never do it again...

Magistrates really appreciated me accepting responsibility and the speech I gave, commented on how they don't often see that.

 

[David4567]

Brief Description of Offence:
Having a bad week, had a drink at home (not to excess) Sunday and Monday nights, was sober 10.30pm on Tuesday night and decided I needed a couple of drinks to get to sleep. Drove into town (about 4 miles) intending to have 2 pints "to stay within the limit" and stupidly had another half, then another half. Was picked up on CCTV getting into my car near the pub and was stopped by police about 300 yards down the road.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath reading 38 at roadside and 51 at the station.

Mitigating Factors:
Clean record for 24 years with not even a speeding ticket, co-operated fully with the police. No comments from the police about my driving, I was stopped purely due to the CCTV.

Aggravating Factors:
None in my mind. However, the police report said I was "stumbling" towards the car and when they asked me to get out I "fell back against the car", two things I would argue with.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, the duty solicitor, who was very good.

Sentence:
15 month ban, £327 fine, £110 costs, etc.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and I will take.

Sentence Comments:
Not happy with 15 months, I was very hopeful of getting the minimum 12 months in view of my clean record and low(ish) reading. The duty solicitor said afterwards the alleged aggravating factors above might be responsible for that. Getting to work on the bus is no problem for me so I've decided to sell the car (it's only worth £600-£700 anyway) and try and save a bit of cash ready for January 2017.

 

[Draugeb]

Brief Description of Offence:
Had been drinking in town, couldn't say exactly, but 6-8 beers. Didn't have a great evening and was in a bad place at the time. Took a bus home from town, but decided to drive to the shop to buy more to drink after arriving home. Pulled over about 1 mile from home after allegedly jumping a red light. Refused to blow, taken to station, refused to blow there also. Spent around 12 hours in the cells.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
N/A - refused to provide a specimen

Mitigating Factors:
First offence, good previous driving record, director of a respectable business and an employer, excellent character references, addressing severe depression issues at time of the offence.

Aggravating Factors:
Refusal to cooperate with police, very abusive to police at roadside, police station and in cells.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, instructed a solicitor that specialised in this sort of case at a cost of £750+VAT. It was a huge comfort to be guided through what was a very disorientating process, I wouldn't have known where to begin otherwise!

Sentence:
18 month ban, £850 fine, £1050 with costs.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
No. Solicitor requested this, but judge denied it on the basis that there was no history of alcohol abuse and I would not benefit from it.

Sentence Comments:
Hoped for less, obviously, but appreciate it could have been much worse. I felt the fine was high, but my solicitor and the judge agreed this in order to avoid a community order. Was disappointed not to be offered the rehabilitation course.

 

[price1367]

Thanks for your story, I was disappointed at what you reported on the comments from the judge. (magistrates?) Many people who attend the Drink Drive Rehabilitation course do not 'abuse ' alcohol, they have had too much to drive on the occasion they were stopped. We do not offer counselling about alcohol anyway, just information. They still benefit from awareness of what constitutes the legal limit (whilst stressing that the SAFE amount in zero) and, very importantly for people who "never drink and drive because they have a taxi home," how long it takes for alcohol to go out of your system before you are safe to drive the following day. Or perhaps he thought you would not benefit from the victim awareness that we offer?
it would help if you could say what court this was at, so I can take it up with them (no names) either by posting it here or sending me a PM. I know it will not help you, but may help other people to get the opportunity of the course in future.

 

[babypanda]

Brief Description of Offence:
Police found me parked in a car with hazard lights on near zebra crossing. They smell alcohol off me and said I have white powder on my nose. Failed breath test at roadside and was arrested. Police noticed I had white powder on my nose. I admitted I had dropped a friend home and was going home.

Was charged with Drunk in Charge and parking on zebra crossing

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath reading 85 at the station, no blood test. Tested positive for cocaine.

Mitigating Factors:
Was not seen driving. No previous convictions and clean license from 12 years driving history. Had personal health and family issues. Got favorable reference from employer and friend. Fully cooperated police throughout.

Aggravating Factors:
Admitted I had the intention to drive home. White powder on nose but the drug charge was dropped.

Legal Representation at Court?:
No. Could not afford one and did not qualify for legal aid, duty solicitors was too busy.

Sentence:
6 months ban. Court fees + victim surcharge and prosecution costs = £380

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
No

Sentence Comments:
Deserved what I've got as it could have been worse. Optimistic outcome was 10 points as prosecutor dropped the zebra crossing charge (3 points). Which means I can still drive. The magistrates did give me a chance to explain if I require my car for work etc. and i honestly told them i did not, hence they gave me 6 months ban as I was 2.5 times over limit. I am grateful they did not amend the charge to drink driving.

​