Drink driving is a serious offence in Scotland, carrying severe penalties. Understanding the law and your rights is crucial if you're facing such charges. In this guide, we aim to clarify the complexities surrounding drink driving offences.
Read on to learn more about the legal limits, penalties and aggravating factors of drink driving in Scotland.
The Legal Limit
In Scotland, the legal alcohol limit for driving is 22 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 50 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, or 66 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.
It's crucial to understand that even being slightly over these limits can result in prosecution. It's always safest not to drink any alcohol if you plan to drive.
Penalties for Drink Driving
The penalties for drink driving in Scotland are significant and can include:
● Driving disqualification: A mandatory ban of at least 12 months for a first offence. This can be longer depending on the severity of the offence and any previous convictions.
● Fines: Substantial fines can be imposed, often running into thousands of pounds.
● Imprisonment: In more serious cases, particularly those involving repeat offenders or aggravating circumstances, imprisonment is a possibility.
● Endorsement on your driving licence: A record of the conviction will be placed on your licence, which can affect insurance premiums for years to come.
Aggravating Factors
Certain factors can aggravate a drink driving offence and lead to harsher penalties. These include:
● High alcohol reading: The higher the alcohol level, the more severe the punishment is likely to be.
● Dangerous driving: If drink driving is combined with dangerous driving, the penalties will be more severe.
● Previous convictions: Repeat offenders face much stricter penalties.
● Causing an accident: If an accident occurs as a result of drink driving, the consequences can be devastating and the penalties extremely harsh.
Importance of Legal Representation
If you are charged with a drink driving offence, seeking professional legal representation is essential.
To receive adequate legal representation, it is crucial to fully understand the charges brought against you and the potential consequences they carry. A thorough assessment of your case involves analysing the evidence presented and identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution's argument.
Depending on the circumstances, negotiating with the prosecution for a more favorable outcome may be possible. Ultimately, effective representation in court involves presenting your case convincingly and advocating for the best possible result.
Here at Lefevre Litigation, we have a team of experienced
traffic offence lawyers specialising in all aspects of road traffic law. We understand the stress and uncertainty that comes with facing drink driving charges and are dedicated to providing clear, concise legal advice and robust representation.
Get in Touch
If you're facing drink driving charges in Scotland, don't delay. Our team of driving offence solicitors can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and work towards achieving the best possible result.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
