Recent arrest for drink driving after taking overdose

[Tyodi]

Hi there,
I was recently arrested for drink driving. I was in the range of 140mg of alcohol in my blood.
The circumstances around this were a bit unusual so I just wondered if this would be taken into consideration?
At the time just prior to me driving, I’d actually taken an overdose, I’d actually intended to take my own life, I’d driven to a spot where I felt close to my boys, and just went there to die.....
I have been suffering from depression for a long time, following a nasty split with my ex, huge complications around the house, and my boys....I had just had enough.....I’d had a few beers, not a lot, my ex who had promised to agree to sell the house after nearly a year and half, of this being agreed/stopped....but this time she had seemed sincere....it hit me incredibly hard as I’ve been stuck living at my parents all this time....
I’d also had a massive argument with my dad that evening....it was just a perfect storm I guess, and I snapped, I just wanted it to end....
It was stupid, unbelievably stupid, I’ve never drunk and driven before this, not even one....
I’d not meant to drive that evening, it was just to escape the house and go somewhere I felt close to my boys.....
Sorry I know all of this is rather morbid, it was stupid, I regret it all massively.....
But would the court take this into consideration? My car is the only thing I have, I need it to pick up my boys (one of whom is autistic non-verbal) and take them places....
I really don’t know how I will be able to cope if I get banned for any length of time.....

 

[SeanJoyceStephensons]

The circumstances leading up to the incident will certainly be considered by the court when considering any penalty but, unfortunately, this offence is one where a ban is mandatory. The circumstances you have outline should be considered by the court but in a case like this will not be able to persuade the court not to ban - the court has no discretion. 140mg in blood means you are just about in the second sentencing bracket. The court would impose a ban of between 17 and 22 months together with either a fine or a community order. I would recommend speaking with a solicitor to discuss this in more detail. You can contact a specialist on 0333 200 9861.