Solicitors for Drug Driving Cases

It's illegal to drive under the influence of legal or illegal drugs, or if your blood contains levels of drugs or medication that impair your driving ability.

If convicted of drug driving, you may face a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, and a criminal record. Your conviction will remain on your driving licence for 11 years.

If you've been arrested or charged with a drug driving offence, contact our expert drug driving solicitors in London at 0203 959 7755 for immediate help.

Wherever you are, our team of specialist criminal defence solicitors provides expert advice and legal representation across England and Wales.

Table of Contents

What is drug driving?

Drug driving means driving while drugs affect your ability to drive safely. This includes illegal drugs and prescription meds that impair driving.

In 2015, the UK introduced stricter laws, making it easier to charge individuals driving with drugs in their system.

There are two main drug-driving crimes:

1. Driving while unfit through drugs
2. Driving with excess drugs in your system

Driving while unfit through drugs means your driving is affected by drugs. It's hard to prove, and police use tests at the roadside. But these tests might not always show guilt.

Driving with excess drugs in your system is clearer. It's when your blood has too much of certain drugs. If you go over the legal limits, you can be charged.

Driving with excess drugs in your system

Driving with too many drugs in your system is illegal and can result in serious penalties.

This includes both legal and illegal substances and exceeding the legal limit for specific drugs can lead to charges of drug driving.

To convict someone under the UK law, the police just need to establish that:

1. The person was driving.
2. The person had drugs in their system above the legal limit.

Below are the legal blood limits for various drugs:

Illegal Drugs

Prescription Drugs

If you are found over the legal limit, you will be taken into custody. These limits are strict, meaning you could test positive days after drug use, especially in the case of cannabis, which remains detectable for an extended period.

Penalties for drug driving offences

If convicted of drug driving, you could face:

• A minimum 12-month driving ban
• An unlimited fine
• Up to 6 months in prison
• A criminal record

Your driving licence will also indicate the drug driving conviction, which will remain for 11 years.

The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drugs is life imprisonment.

Sentencing for driving while unfit through drugs

If convicted of driving while unfit due to drugs, the penalties can include:

Sentencing for driving with excess drugs

No fixed guidelines for this offence leave sentencing to the court's discretion.

However, if convicted of driving with excess drugs in your system, the penalties may include:

• an unlimited fine
• a community order
• up to six months imprisonment
• A minimum driving ban of 12 months

Even the lowest-level punishment can have serious consequences, making early legal advice from a specialist drug driving solicitor essential.

What factors affect sentencing for drug driving?

The severity of the penalty for drug driving may increase based on certain factors, including:

• Presence of multiple drugs in the system
• Presence of alcohol in the body
• Evidence of poor driving behaviour
• Driving or attempting to drive heavy goods vehicles (HGV), large goods vehicles (LGV), or public service vehicles (PSV)
• Driving for financial gain

Aggravating factors in drug driving cases

Aggravating factors increase the severity of a sentence, and courts consider the following:

• Prior drug-related convictions
• Location of the offence (e.g., near a school)
• Carrying passengers in the vehicle
• Adverse weather conditions

Mitigating factors in drug driving cases

Mitigating factors that may reduce the penalty include:

• No prior convictions
• Positive character references
• Genuine remorse
• Age of the defendant
• Mental health conditions
• Distance driven
• A genuine emergency requiring the defendant to drive
• If the defendant is the primary or sole carer for a dependent

Drug driving & prescription medications

Driving requires full concentration and quick reflexes, both of which can be impaired by drugs, whether illegal or prescribed.

You can face a drug driving charge even for legally prescribed medications if:

• You exceed the legal blood limit for that drug.
• The medication impairs your ability to drive, even if taken as prescribed.

To avoid legal risks, consult your doctor about the effects of your medication on driving and always follow the prescribed dosage.

Symptoms of impairment from prescription drugs include:

• Slower reaction times
• Blurred vision or hallucinations
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased irritability
• Tremors or shakiness

Pleading ‘not guilty' to drug driving

Many people think pleading guilty early will lessen their driving ban. But this is a mistake.

At Moeen & Co. Solicitors, we build strong defence strategies at early stages. We've defended lots of drug driving cases and know police and CPS mistakes.

Early preparation strengthens your case, reduces risks, and boosts your chance of being found not guilty.

By pleading ‘not guilty,' you make the CPS reveal their evidence. Often, this evidence is incomplete or flawed. If they can't present the right evidence in time, you can't be convicted.

Pleading ‘guilty' to drug driving

• A 12-month driving ban is mandatory for a drug driving conviction.
• Pleading guilty will not reduce this disqualification.
• You will also receive a criminal record.

The CPS wants you to plead guilty to avoid a trial. But, admitting to a crime you might not have done is risky. Even if you're found guilty later, your ban won't get longer.

If you're thinking of pleading guilty, Moeen & Co. Solicitors can help. We might argue for 10 penalty points instead of a ban. We'll support you, no matter what.

We also offer free initial advice on special reasons and mitigation that could help your case.

What should I do if I'm arrested for drug driving?

If arrested for drug driving, remain calm, cooperate with the police, and exercise your right to remain silent while requesting a lawyer before making any statements.

Allow the police to conduct their procedures, but do not resist or obstruct them.

If you have been charged with drug driving or dangerous driving, contact our criminal defence solicitor immediately at 0203 959 7755 for legal advice.

What defences can a solicitor use in a drug driving case?

Drug driving cases are complex, and having an experienced drug driving solicitor is vital to handling the legal system and building a strong defence for you.

Our drug offence solicitors will look at the evidence against you, like tests and blood samples. We'll check if the police followed the rules and if there were any mistakes.

We might use several defences, such as:

• Challenging the accuracy of blood or roadside tests
• Questioning improper police procedures during arrest or testing
• Medical defences, if the prescribed medication was taken as per doctor's instructions and you were unaware it could impair driving.

How does a solicitor help in drug driving cases?

Our specialist drug driving solicitor can help in many ways:

• Challenge evidence and blood test results
• Check if police followed procedures
• Highlight weaknesses in the prosecution's case
• Advise and represent you in court
• Negotiate with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

Can a solicitor reduce the punishment for drug driving?

While a solicitor cannot guarantee a reduced sentence, they can help minimise penalties by highlighting any mitigating factors, such as no prior convictions, a genuine emergency, or personal circumstances (e.g., being the primary carer for dependents).

An experienced drug offence solicitor may also be able to negotiate a less severe punishment or help with appeals.

How soon should I contact a solicitor after being arrested for drug driving?

It's important to contact a solicitor as soon as possible after being arrested. Early legal advice can help you understand your rights, navigate police procedures, and begin building a defence right from the start.

The sooner you consult a drug offence solicitor, the better your chances of a successful defence.

Why choose our drug offences solicitors in London?

If you are looking for solicitors specialising in drug offences in London, then look no further than Moeen & Co. Solicitors.

Here are several reasons why you choose our specialised drug offence solicitors in London:

• Proven Track Record
• Specialist Expertise
• Client-Centred Approach
• Protection of Your Legal Rights
• 24/7 Availability
• Reduced Penalties Potential

Proven Track Record

Our criminal defence solicitors have successfully defended clients against various drug offences, from minor criminal charges to large-scale conspiracy cases.

Don't take our word for it. Read our 5-star reviews on Google and ReviewSolicitors. We are proud of the work we do.

Specialist Expertise

We know in-depth about Road Traffic Act 1988 and other relevant legislation. It allows us to provide informed and effective legal representation.

Client-Centred Approach

We tailor our services to meet your unique needs. Our solicitors are approachable, compassionate, and dedicated to securing the best outcome for you.

Protection of Your Legal Rights

Our drug offence solicitors work to protect the legal rights of our clients throughout the legal process.

We ensure that proper legal procedures are followed and challenge any violations of our client's rights.

24/7 Availability

Drug offence allegations can happen at any time. That's why we're available 24/7. You can get expert legal advice whenever you need it.

Reduced Penalties Potential

With effective legal representation, there may be a better chance of securing reduced penalties, fines, or alternative sentencing options compared to representing oneself or relying on a less specialised lawyer.

No matter where you are, our team of specialist drug offence solicitors based in Hayes, London offers 24/7 legal advice and representation throughout the UK.

If you're facing drug-related charges, contact our drug offence solicitors at 0203 959 7755. For urgent help, call our 24-hour emergency helpline 07853 017746.

Call us for free legal advice

We provide free initial advice for those facing drug driving charges. Call our expert driving defence solicitors at 0203 959 7755, available 7 days a week.

Our experienced solicitors are available 24/7 to:

• Advise you on what to say to the police
• Communicate with officers on your behalf
• Ensure fair treatment and protection of your legal rights

How to contact drug driving solicitors?

If you are facing drug driving charges, contact our drug offence solicitors in Hayes, London at 0203 959 7755 for legal advice and representation.