Drink or drug driving offences, guilty plea

basic fee £600 plus VAT

Fee includes:

  • 2 hours attendance/preparation:
    • considering evidence
    • taking your instructions
    • providing advice on likely sentence
  • Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court (2 hours at Court)

The fee does not include:

  • Travel time, waiting time (both at standard hourly rates of approximately £150 – £200 plus VAT per hour) and travel costs (50p/mile)
  • Instruction of any expert witnesses
  • Taking statements from any witnesses
  • Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing
  • Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you will enter a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.

  • Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
  • We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
  • Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, of approximately 2 hours per person at our standard rates).
  • We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court.
  • We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
  • We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
  • We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day.
  • We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Sentencing Guidelines:

Drink Driving:

  • Maximum: Level 5 fine and/or 6 months custody.
  • Must endorse and disqualify for at least 12 months.
  • Must disqualify for at least 2 years if the offender has had 2 or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more in the preceding 3 years.
  • Must disqualify for at least 3 years if the offender has been convicted of a relevant offence in preceding 10 years.

Drug Driving:

  • Maximum: Level 5 fine and/or 6 months custody.
  • Must endorse and disqualify for at least 12 months.
  • Must disqualify for at least 2 years if the offender has had 2 or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more in the preceding 3 years.
  • Must disqualify for at least 3 years if the offender has been convicted of a relevant offence in preceding 10 years.

Excess Alcohol in Charge

  • Maximum: Level 4 fine and/ or 3 months
  • Must endorse and may disqualify. If no disqualification, impose 10 points
  • Extend any disqualification if imposing immediate custody

Failure to Provide a Specimen

  • Maximum: Level 5 fine and/or 6 months custody.
  • Must endorse and disqualify for at least 12 months.
  • Must disqualify for at least 2 years if offender has had 2 or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more in the preceding 3 years.
  • Must disqualify for at least 3 years if the offender has been convicted of a relevant offence in preceding 10 years.

Unfit through drink or drugs (drive/ attempt to drive)

  • Maximum: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months custody

Unfit through drink or drugs (in charge)

  • Maximum: Level 4 fine and/ or 3 months in custody