Driving whilst unfit through drugs:
There are two types of drug driving offences that our specialist drug driving solicitors can help you with. This page is dedicated to the older offence of driving whilst unfit through drugs. If you have been arrested for the more recent drug driving offence of driving whilst over the specified drug limit then please click here.
If you’ve been arrested for driving whilst unfit through drugs or drink then we understand how desperate and confusing your situation may seem. Fortunately our specialist drink and drug driving solicitors are on hand to guide you through this process. We will support you and lead you to the best possible outcome in your case. The vast majority of driving whilst unfit through drugs cases can be successfully defended. Our Managing Director Alison Ashworth has an exceptional acquittal rate in defending drug driving cases. Please contact our expert drug driving lawyers on 0330 33 22 770 for a free assessment of your case.
The law on driving whilst unfit through drugs
The majority of people who seek our assistance for this offence are accused of driving with cannabis in their system. This is largely because the smell of cannabis on their clothes alerts the police to the potential need to investigate this offence. Alternatively, the Police officers may have suspected that you were under the influence of one of the illegal drugs that are not picked up on a standard roadside drug wipe device, such as MDMA or Ketamine. However, you don’t need to be under the influence of an illegal substance to be arrested or prosecuted for driving whilst unfit through drugs. In fact, the presence of prescription or over the counter medication in your system could potentially lead to prosecution for driving whilst unfit through drugs. All that matters is whether your manner of driving was affected by the substance you consumed, legal or otherwise.
In any driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs case, the Prosecution must prove the following:
- That you were unfit to drive; and
- The reason that you were unfit to drive was due to drugs (or drink); and
- Your manner of driving was impaired as a result.
If any of these elements is successfully challenged then you will be found not guilty of the offence.
The legal consequences of a conviction for driving whilst unfit through drugs
Drug driving is taken very seriously by the Courts, and it is essential that you have the right representation on hand to fight your corner no matter which plea you decide to enter.
The potential consequences of a driving whilst unfit through drugs conviction include:
- A mandatory ban for between 12- 36 months;
- An unlimited level of fine;
- Possible community service or a prison sentence of up to 26 weeks in custody (or up to 6 months in the most serious cases);
- A criminal record;
- The potential need for disclosure of your conviction to your employer or professional body; and
- Consequential increases on your future insurance policies.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MAGISTRATES’ SENTENCING GUIDELINES ON BEING UNFIT THROUGH DRINK OR DRUGS
Evidence of the drug and its effect on your driving
You should have been asked to perform an impairment test at the roadside. In asking you to perform the test, the police are attempting to find evidence of your level of impairment. You would be asked to perform a number of actions during the test. These include the Romberg test (to analyse balance and judgement), the walk and turn test, and the standing on one leg test. The officer would also test the size of your pupils.
The results of these tests are subjective and are formed on the basis of the officer’s opinion, which can be challenged. Indeed, we have access to the top experts in this field who regularly give evidence in our cases to state how unreliable and ineffective field impairment test are.
If you were to fail an impairment test you would be taken to the police station where you would be asked to provide an evidential sample (blood or urine). The sample would then be sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis. The results of the drug analysis can also be challenged.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CHALLENGING BLOOD AND URINE SAMPLES
How our specialist drug driving solicitors can help you
At Ashworth Motoring Law, our experience and expertise in cases involving driving whilst unfit through drugs or drink has led us to develop a vast array of proven defences and technicalities which could secure a not guilty verdict in your case. The police procedure in this area is very stringent. If not followed correctly this could result in your acquittal. Our drug driving experts will review the Prosecution evidence against you, identify where the procedure has not been followed and cross examine the prosecution witnesses to establish further breaches in police procedure. We also have access to the top scientific experts in the field of drug evidence analysis and may instruct them to comment on the reliability of the sample which you provided.
Regardless of whether the substance which the police identified in your system was legal or illegal, it is highly likely that there will be defences available to you. Please visit our dedicated blood and urine sample page to find out why our Managing Director Alison Ashworth has an exceptional acquittal rate in driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs cases.
Call Now for Free Advice!
Feel free to contact one of our expert motoring lawyers today on 0330 33 22 770 to find out whether your drug driving case is one of the many which can be successfully defended.
Pleading Guilty to an offence of driving whilst unfit through drugs? Damage limitation
If you accept that your driving was impaired by the presence of a substance in your system, and wish to limit the severity of the sentence imposed then our guilty plea and mitigation service could have a massive impact on the overall sentence you receive.
Click here to find out more about our Specialist Guilty Plea and Mitigation Service
If you have the right representation to handle your guilty plea to driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs it could mean the difference between a driving ban or a prison sentence. The Magistrates’ Sentencing Guidelines for Driving whilst unfit through Drink or Drugs are very wide, and involve a great deal of opinion. It is therefore vital that you speak to a solicitor who specialises in drug driving offences as soon as possible for extensive mitigation work to be commenced.
Outstanding Results
Our specialist drug driving solicitors continue to secure truly outstanding results in “driving whilst unfit through drugs” cases when putting forward guilty pleas and mitigation.
If you’re considering pleading guilty to driving whilst unfit through drugs and would like to know more about how our guilty plea and mitigation service could give you peace of mind along with an amazing result at Court, then visit our dedicated guilty plea page. Alternatively, call one of our specialist solicitors on 0330 33 22 770. Lines are open round the clock, seven days a week, so get in touch whenever is best for you.
Magistrates’ Sentencing Guidelines for Driving whilst unfit through Drink or Drugs
The Magistrates’ Sentencing guidelines for this drug driving offence can be found here:
Magistrates’ Sentencing Guidelines for Driving whilst unfit through Drink or Drugs
Call our Motoring Law Helpline for some Free Legal Advice from an Expert Drug Driving Solicitor who Specialises in Defending Drug Driving Allegations
We are always happy to talk through your options and provide expert advice and guidance which could result in a not guilty verdict in your case.
