DRINK DRIVING SENTENCES

Convicted Driver Insurance
Brief Description of Offence:
Had been at a wedding. Drank 3 large glasses of wine and (really stupidly) a shot of sambuca. Sure the wine would have put me over anyway as i am tiny and didn't eat much, but the shot was definitely the nail in the coffin. Got lost on the way home. Pulled over to do sat nav. my wing mirror had suffered damage the week previous (hedge)
and I think this was part of the reason the police decided to pull up next to me. (I was so gutted about the wing mirror at the time of it happening - if only I could have seen into the future eh!! what a fool...)

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
82mg and 80mg in breath at the station. 80 reading given in court. Couldn't get the breathalyser to give a reading at the roadside, think because I was on the verge of panic attack and couldn't really breathe properly.

Mitigating Factors:
First offence, good previous driving record. Complied fully with police. Polite by nature. character reference from my mother in law who is a retired teacher. Submitted an early guilty plea via post. (I believe) it was clear I was obviously an *idiot* on this occasion rather than someone who made a habit of this behaviour...
my parents came to court with me. Shows I have a supporting family who I haven't managed to alienate...
My case was heard just after someone who had done a runner from the court building; whether this caused the magistrates to look kindly on me as a responsible member of society owning my mistakes or whether they would have been more angered by the previous guys disappearing act I do not know.....

Aggravating Factors:
80 is a high reading. I am a small person. Wing mirror damage totally unrelated to the incident but still didn't look good. Was very persistent about having a cigarette but once I realised that wasn't an option I shut up.....

Legal Representation at Court?:
no, I represented myself (through the sobbing). Duty solicitor wasn't available for driving offences on that day

Sentence:
18 month ban(13.5m with course), £360 total fine inc costs.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
yes fortunately. Was informed I could do the course and given leaflets regarding this before I went into the court room which was very reassuring indeed. I really, really appreciated that and it calmed me down substantially in the wait to be seen.

Sentence Comments:
i was very, very lucky. I was hoping against hope for 17 months but preparing for 24, so 18 is still very lenient and I am happy with that. I was also fortunate that I was between jobs and waiting for my dbs to clear to start my new job, so on the means testing form for the fine I was classified as unemployed. This was a blessing.

I've learnt my lesson. Not a drop will pass my lips if I'm going to be driving. Never, ever, ever again!!!!!
 
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Brief Description of Offence:
I went to a staff member leaving do. I started the night by consuming a large glass of jack daniels and coke then had several pints in a number of bars afterwards. I also had a number of soft/'weak' shots (Apple Sours perhaps?) in a bar. Slightly encouraged by a friend, but also complacent about the fact I had driven after 3 or 4 pints in the past, I decided to drive home in a car that I had only recently bought. It was the first genuinely quick car I have ever owned. I took a sharp corner at around 90 miles an hour and over corrected to avoid hitting a house. I veered across the road, hit the curb which hoisted the vehicle up into the air landing in a hedge, where it came to rest.

The police turned up quite a while later (Some people say I should have run in the period I had to escape) and I was arrested.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
My lowest reading was 55.


Mitigating Factors:
First time I had ever been in court and my I had a long clean driving license with zero penalty points. I co-operated fully with the police. 25,000 miles a year my average mileage. I have a fairly good job for my age and polite. My partner, wrote me a character reference, putting forward the positive contributions I have made for society including a lot of charity work and also the support I provided her overcoming an illness in the past, which prevented her from driving. My father and sister attended.


Aggravating Factors:
There were two. The accident, and the fact I had a passenger in the car with me.


Legal Representation at Court?:
No. The duty solicitors were all over the place that day. One spent 15 minutes consoling a woman outside the courtroom who was sobbing uncontrollably, only to realize she had been discussing the wrong case with her, immediately getting up and walking away. I decided after the shambles that took place outside the courtroom, waiting for another hour wasn't worth it, so went in unrepresented. I put forward my own mitigation and I pointed out that I felt by speaking directly to the magistrates instead of through a solicitor, they could see my remorse in my face and hear it in my voice.


Sentence:
The sentence was 12 months, reduced to 9 if I took a course.
The fine was £420 + £100 for costs (I think).


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes and I took the course and feel it was a worthwhile experience.


Sentence Comments:
My sentence was the minimum they could give. I am very lucky. I was braced for up to 16 months. The magistrate said before my words, it was looking like 14 months. He said that I spoke with passion and honesty, but that I must not throw it back in their faces by either 'driving while disqualified' or by repeating my actions.


Considering the quantity of alcohol I consumed, it was probably 50% the fact I'm a big guy, and 50% the fact there was a time period between the police arriving. Many will not be so lucky.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Drinking with mates, had a heated argument, drove home (0.4miles) unfortunately hit a taxi that had a passenger. All parties taken to hospital, two cars were write offs.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Blood - 156

Mitigating Factors:
No previous

Aggravating Factors:
Car accident, extensive injuries

Legal Representation at Court?:
Duty solicitor (free) with my first police interview,
Solicitor at magistrates, barrister at crown. Approx. £4000

Sentence:
4 year ban, 200 hours community service, drink driving and dangerous driving causing serious injury.
£175 victim surcharge
2 year suspended sentence


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
No, mandatory re-test.

Sentence Comments:
From what I hear, I was lucky to escape custodial sentence. That being said, very remorseful and I'll pay for the mistake until the day I die. My barrister at crown court told me to get my bag as the judge had a brief break. He said it was 50/50 and if it wasn't for my profession and 25 well written references I would be inside. Struggled a lot going through the court process but I'm hoping over time I can live with that mistake. One things for sure, the process of crown court is an eye opener and somewhere that I'd never want to experience again.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Drinking at home, got hopelessly drunk on whatever I was drinking (I will probably never know) and decided to drive to the local shop for whatever reason. No idea what happened next but I woke up in a cell and I can remember blowing 104 on the police breathalyser before passing out.

Breath Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath - 104

Mitigating Factors:
None

Aggravating Factors:
Apparently I had an accident which even the police constable in the morning said he though was BS due to there being no damage whatsoever to anything, absolutely plastered and couldn't remember anything.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Specialist solicitor for preparation and barrister in court - about £2000 (no way was it worth it given the circumstances; should have just had the duty solicitor)

Sentence:
42 months ban, 100 hours of community service
£100 victim surcharge

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
No

Sentence Comments:
From the initial experience (having been through this twice now), I was apparently lucky that I didn't get either a custodial or suspended sentence. I was honestly bricking it when the barrister said that a probationary officer would need to do a pre-sentence report to assess my suitability in the event that a custodial sentence was handed down but when I got in there and said my peace, it wasn't actually too bad - the Judges were as nice as they could have been given the circumstances and their parting words were along the lines of if you do this again, you're going to prison and don't get even think about driving for the next 42 months but you can apply for your license after 2 years.
 
I was caught June this year, blew 80 on roadside and 80 at the police station. I was just leaving work at 3am and somebody had actually called me in I think it was someone I've know 9 years.

I've always had a clean driving license, no criminal record and had no passengers and no signs of bad driving.

No real aggravating circumstances apart from I pleaded not guilty and was going to go to trial. I spent 10k on a barrister to try and save my license!

I got 17month ban dd course to reduce my ban to 14 months and a £300 fine.
 
I blew 92 roadside 101mg at station

Got 24month ban, reduced to 18months (thereabouts) £550 fine, no community service or points. I had a solicitor too.

Finally my ban is up next Friday ??
 
I went out for a night and slept in my van. Drive home early next morning and crashed into the central reservation on the motorway.

I blew 101 at station

Got sentenced to 20 months reduced to 15 with rehabilitation course.
80 hours comunity service
No fine, just course costs £85 community order costs£85

Ban is over now just waiting to hear back from DVLA after all medical and doctor checks done etc, should have a decision today/tomorrow?

I Consider myself very fortunate firstly to not have injured or killed anybody including myself,also very lucky with the ban, the judge was very lenient, he had said he was going to give me a 38 month ban but would be reducing it considerably because my actions were so out of character, ran my own business etc.

Been a tough 18 months but am nearly there now.
 
Court was today ?
Very long wait but finally seen at 2pm after being given a 9.30am slot, was very busy there!
My story - Went out for meal had a few drinks and had a daft argument with my boyfriend after a couple and I hit parked car, blew over and my lowest was 54,
First offence and the magistrate were very fair!
Relieved that I had the duty solicitor with me as I was a mess. ( recommend taking them with you
I got 12 month ban reduced to 9 months on completion of course. £300 fine and I'll be going and buying a bus pass!
Thank you for all of the advice I'll be counting the months and booking that course!
 
Hi all, i’m nearing the end of my sentence so thought i’d share my experience as I know how much comfort I got knowing I wasn’t the only person going through this when I first got caught.

Brief Description of Offence:
Had approx 2 bottles of wine with family, needed to get home for personal reasons and due to extensive wait times for a taxi I decided to take the car and drive home (stupid mistake I know - but hindsight is a wonderful thing).

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Roadside breathalyser reading: 89mg/l
Station breathalyser reading: 92mg/l

Mitigating Factors:
I had a clean driving license, no criminal record as never had any trouble with the police in my life. Good job indicated a normally responsible person etc

Aggravating Factors:
None really. Police officers stated that they were required to break due to my position on the narrow road, but this wasn’t really taken into account in court.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes

Sentence:
I was given a 23 month ban, which was expected. Due to the reading and therefore being put into the bracket of high risk offender (HRO), I also expected a community order. However I had asked my solicitor to propose a larger fine to avoid the community order, which he did and it was agreed. Ended up with a £1185 fine though.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes - completed the course and would definitely recommend. 25% off the ban duration and a very very good course as well.

Sentence Comments:
The magistrates are given a table which dictates the outcome, based on the situation (I.e reading, repeat offender etc), so I got what was expected really. I thought the fine was steep, but it’s based on your earnings etc and to be honest the fact that I didn’t have to serve a community order took any pain away for paying the fine.

Timescale of my experience overall:
17th November 2016 - date caught
5th January 2017 (due to a pre-planned holiday) - date of sentencing/court
16th March 2018 - letter arrived from DVLA to apply for my license back
3rd April 2018 - sent the application form back to the DVLA
19th April 2018 - letter received from DVLA to arrange medical appointment (due to being in HRO bracket)
2nd May 2018 - date of medical to take blood sample
16th May 2018 - received my license in the post
13th June 2018 - I’ll be back on the road after a horrendous 18 months as a result of nothing but my own stupidity.

This will be one lesson we’ll all never forget - we’ve just got to make sure we learn from it and don’t make the same stupid mistakes. Good luck!!!
 
I've been done twice!

- In 2006 - I blew 70 - Got 12 month ban/£400 fine - and Driving Course reduced it about 10 months (cost of the course was around £130 mark in 2006).

- In 2014 - I blew 120!!! - Got 4 year Ban - £150 fine - I was lucky to have a lawyer at that time otherwise I would have gone to prison, Instead I got a 6 month Community order (Probation for 6 days wearing a Tag on my ankle) There was also a fail to stop - but that was dropped. 2014 was a bad year because I lost pretty much everything, Job/House etc before I did the drink drive!

- I recently got my licence back but for 1 year then I will have to do another medical. I haven't had any alcohol in many months (about 9 months) - I'm doing ok, slowly picking myself up.

Hope this helps
 
Brief Description of Offence:
drinking at a local pub, did not realise how many i had drunk! stupid i know, pulled over and arrested.

Breath Alcohol Level and Reading Type:

Breath - 96

Mitigating Factors:

None

Aggravating Factors:
none

Legal Representation at Court?:
done it all myself, wrote a letter of guilt etc, waste of time solictor would of been!

Sentence:

24 months ban, reduce to 18 with course! £170 fees and victim surcharge, and 120 community service.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:

yes
 
Brief Description of Offence
Went to my local,had about ten pints,drove home then police came up as someone grassed us up

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
121 first reading (breath)
115 second reading

Mitigating Factors:
only drove half mile
alone in the car
11pm not many cars in the road

Aggravating Factors:
none

Legal Representation at Court?:
yes,GET A GOOD SOLICITOR!!!

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?
yes

Sentence Comments:
-28 month ban,plus reduced with drink rehabilitation course and
-950£ fine.
Yes,a fine not community service.
My solicitor was really good,basically we asked for for a fine instead a medium to high level of community service,and the court agreed
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Drove after being thrown out of my partners house after a massive fight. Middle of night, in my pj’s.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 79ug

Mitigating Factors:
Been driving a long time. Clean driving licence. Good character references from a teacher, someone from work and a friend.
Domestic abuse linked with the events that night.

Aggravating Factors:
Crashed my car - no other cars involved.
Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes- worth every penny as I would have crumbled.

Sentence:
18 months reduced by 25% with DD course. Fine £700
Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes

Sentence Comments:
Very fair, magistrate was lovely. Helped I looked smart, showed remorse and was very respectful.
 
Brief Description of Offence:
Stupidly decided to drive after evening out. Went to about half a mile down the road to local shop, involved in collision with third party. No injuries but my car written off.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
88mg (breath)

Mitigating Factors:
long clean driving record, no previous drink driving / criminal convictions, early guilty plea

Aggravating factors:
Failure to stop, foolishly tried to report car as stolen (?) before police turned up at home address

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes

Sentence:
Yet to be determined, awaiting probation report. Advised that I’ll be looking at 2/2.5 year ban, around 100 hours community service and 12 month probation order. Also required to completed DID course:


Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
don’t know yet but have asked if I can do it

Sentence Comments:
Take full responsibility but would have liked 2/3 year ban and fine ?
 
Been sentenced

24 month ban reduced to 18 after completion of DD course

12 month community order

100 hours community service

No further action on failure the stop due to proactive approach on tackling alcohol issues since arrest and good character witnesses. Also shown genuine remorse.

Very pleased with result. Probation report had mentioned custody which terrified me.
 
Description of Offence:
Had been drinking gin (don't usually drink spirits) and went to pick partner up from work as it was late. I knew that I had drank too much to drive and was obviously too drunk to act in a sensible and responsible fashion.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath. Lowest reading: 87.

Mitigating Factors:
No previous criminal or motoring convictions; short distance driven; admitted guilt to police immediately; fully cooperative; three positive character references from professionals; supportive employer; genuinely remorseful.

Aggravating Factors:
Standard of driving had alarmed a member of the public, who then called police. Drove over a bollard.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes, private solicitor.

Sentence:
22 months disqualification; fine and costs totalling £525.

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes. I intend to complete the course asap.

Sentence Comments:
Was what I expected and within sentencing guidelines. Solicitor told me that the ban may have been shorter if the case had been heard by magistrates rather than the District Judge. I feel very fortunate that I was not also charged with driving without insurance and that this was not introduced as an aggravating factor by the prosecution.
 
In police letter also said namely 87 micrgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of Blank breath specimen2 87

So i have attended local magistrate court and
Got £450 fine 17 months driving ban.
I was a first time ever convinced and had no previous conviction.
Also I was a new driver who passed my licence in January 2018.
I think judge gave me fair fine and driving ban with 87 alcohol in my breath.
 
browsing through forum and dont think i noticed this thread before...


Brief Description of Offence:

stressful time with relationship, bereavement issues over parent and family problems, with major overhaul at work. Stupidly drove to "clear head" as very upset at the time. Drove into a roundabout, couldnt reverse car, witness stopped and asked if i was ok.... police showed up en-masse within minutes.


Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
126 breath at roadside, 121 at station

Mitigating Factors:
none that i am aware of, apart from the usual mitigation of stressful time / one-off incident / "moment of madness not to be repeated"..

Aggravating Factors:
previous 12 month ban through a DR80 in 2008

Legal Representation at Court?:
Yes.. but not exactly brilliant as they should have pushed for the drink drive rehabilitation course which back then i never knew existed due to naivety and putting faith in the professionals to represent me.

Sentence:
40 month ban, £800 fine plus costs, 2 months electronic tag, 2 months prison sentence suspended for a year, 2 months 7pm - 7am curfew

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
was not offered the course even though i had never taken it and would have liked to have done it.

Sentence Comments:
12 hours daily tagging / curfew a bit much I thought and didnt seem to fit the crime..... I always thought tagging/curfew was for those who presented a danger to public during those hours... whereas once you take away my licence i surely am no danger to public as i wouldnt be out driving?!

A bit unfair not to be offered the drink drive rehabilitation course as was first (and only!) drink driving offence.
Also, found out after, that police on arrest and before they breathalyse you, are meant to ask "have you consumed any alcohol in past hour?" as apparently your "mouth alcohol breath" goes up if you had taken alcohol recently. I had drank within the previous 20 minutes and wondered why after only one bottle of wine my reading was 121.... now i know but its a bit late.... wish I had queried it at the time and why i wasnt asked the question before/after the breathalyser.
You live and learn :) !
 
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Brief Description of Offence:

Drove home at about 5:30am after drinking about 6 pints the previous evening, ended up crashing into a parked car, writing it and mine off and causing damage to several other cars, to make matters worse i left the scene and managed to get a couple of miles away before the police found me. so was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
172 milligrams in 100 milligrams of blood ( little above double the limit)

Mitigating Factors:
none really, i decided to chance my arm and got burnt

Aggravating Factors:
previous ban from 2009 which made it twice within 10 years, also was banned in 2006 as well so third time overall.

Legal Representation at Court?:
Spoke briefly to the duty solicitor and advised him i was planning to represent myself he said you should as you seem to know what your talking about so i did.

Sentence:
40 month ban (course offered after i asked for it) so i think that will make it 30 months after completion. £170 fine and costs, 200 hours unpaid work and 12 months community order (probation)

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
yes i put forward a case that even though id done it before in 2006 i felt it would be really beneficial to do a refresher now im older

Sentence Comments:
Overall im happy as you can be in this situation i thought it would be at least 3 years and probably extra because i crashed and left the scene so to actually get 2.5 years after doing the course obviously is a bit of a result i feel, the 200 hours work will be quickly gone as i dont work full time so will just get it out of the way. and probation is once a month for a year so 12 half hour appointments aint much hassle. i feel sorry for the poster above as mine was more serious but they received such a harsher sentence in my view, the magistrates must having been having a bad day there.
 
Description of offence:
I was drinking wine all night with friend. Finished at 5 am. Was driving at 5 pm, too slow. Spent 24 hrs arrested.

Blood Alcohol Level and Reading Type:
Breath 127 ug

Mitigating Factors:
No previous convictions. I was drinking in my hubby passing away anniversary. Full cooperation with police.

Aggravating Factors:
Hit car which stopped at junction, staggering when caught

Legal Representation at Court?:
Duty solicitor

Sentence:
24 months ban reduced to 20, 100 hrs of community work

Offered the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course?:
Yes. Completed year ago.

Sentence Comments:
Was expecting worse. Spending 24 hrs in cell was the worst nightmare.

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