Drink Driving

Drink Driving

If you have been charged with drink driving, it’s important to seek specialist legal help immediately. This is a serious offence carrying a minimum, mandatory 12 month disqualification or in worse cases, prison. An expert drink driving solicitor at Watson Woodhouse will assess your case to determine a potential defence. Please contact us to discuss your circumstances today.

Whether you receive a summons or postal requisition with a court date or are charged by Police directly to Court, we’re here to help through this difficult situation.

Drink Driving Guilty Plea

In this instance your case may be concluded upon first appearance. Exceptional hardship or special reason arguments may mean a court adjournment for a hearing in 4 to 8 weeks. During this time we will provide the best legal advice, discuss procedure, take instruction and obtain evidence.

Our fees when pleading guilty to drink driving are determined by how straightforward arguments are to mitigate the sentence.

Guilty Plea Costs

The majority of drink driving cases are charged at a fixed fee of £420 – £900(Including VAT at 20%), which will be discussed with you prior to instruction. Travel expenses are in addition to this cost. Should cases become more complex, this fee will be adjusted accordingly, based on time. Fixed costs do not include any expert reports, tracing witnesses or a guilty plea. 

Drink Driving Not Guilty Plea

Pleading not guilty to a drink driving offence is also charged at a fixed fee and based upon the length and complexity of the trial. This will be affected by:

  • Number of witnesses
  • If you’ve been charged with more than one offence
  • Expert evidence

Where a trial is straightforward lasting up to an hour and a half, costs are £600 (Including VAT at 20%). For those at half a day it’s £900 (Including VAT at 20%) with a full day’s fee of £1200 (Including VAT at 20%). Such costs may increase should a defence witness require tracing and interviewing, expert evidence is needed or an unusual law aspect arises.

Drink Driving Court Process

Via summons receipt, postal requisition with a court date, or charges from police direct to court, we’re here to support you. A trial is usually listed two to four months after first appearance or the not guilty plea is indicated by the Single Justice Procedure notice (varies court to court). You’ll receive detailed initial advice and upon instruction, obtain evidence and represent you at the first court hearing. Dealing with the case in its entirety we’ll guide you throughout.

Why use a solicitor?

 

  • Complexities of drink driving offences involve specific evidence and expertise
  • A solicitor will represent you in court
  • Without an expert you will damage your case

Why Watson Woodhouse?

  • We’re experienced in defending drink driving allegations
  • You’ll be updated on progress throughout
  • We’ll seek the best possible outcome

We are here to help

It is important in these cases that you speak to a specialist motoring solicitor.

Call us for a confidential consultation with a specialist solicitor today on 01642 247656 or on our 24/7 Emergency Helpline 01642 917175

Contact Us

Other Sections

Contacting Us

01642 247656 info@watsonwoodhouse.co.uk 24 Hour Arrest Helpline 01642 917175

Head Office

102-108 Borough Road
Middlesbrough
Teesside
TS1 2HJ
United Kingdom

Company Registration Number: 10868114 VAT Number: 499 468 172

Here are our team members ready to help you

David Dedman Senior Solicitor
Eric Watson Head of Crown Court Department
Faye McGreevy Legal Clerk
Kelleigh Jane Lodge Solicitor Advocate
Neil Douglas Solicitor and Director
Nick Woodhouse Solicitor
Victoria Molloy Senior Solicitor Advocate - Head of Housing

Watch our short video

Need our help with Drink Driving? Don't worry fill in
the form and we will be in touch

Our Head Quarters will be able to correctly direct you to the relevant solicitor

Middlesbrough

Our Head Office, York House

102-108 Borough Road
Middlesbrough
Teesside
TS1 2HJ
United Kingdom

info@watsonwoodhouse.co.uk 24 Hour Arrest Helpline 01642 917175