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Driving while under the influence of drugs is taken seriously by the criminal justice system, with a risk of fines, loss of your licence and prison if you are convicted.
At Johnson Astills, we know that for many drivers, keeping your licence is crucial. We have a good track record of success in defending clients on drug driving charges, and we can represent you from the outset to ensure you have the best chance of acquittal.
It is important to have representation from expert drug driving lawyers from the start to ensure that your rights are protected and that you do not inadvertently damage your case. Our criminal defence team have in-depth knowledge of drug driving law, and procedure and we will work tirelessly on your behalf to try and have any charges dropped. Where this is not possible, we will provide the best possible defence and do all we can to avoid you receiving any penalties.
We deal with the full range of drug driving offences, including the following:
Get in touch with our drug driving solicitors by contacting our office in Leicester or Loughborough or by filling in our online enquiry form.
For information on other services we offer, see our criminal defence page.
In March 2015, new drug driving laws were introduced, making it illegal to drive with specified levels of seventeen drugs in your system, comprising of eight illegal drugs and nine prescription drugs.
Where the police believe you have illegal levels of these drugs in your system, you may be tested at the roadside or arrested and taken to a police station where you will be subjected to a blood and/or urine test.
It is also illegal to drive if you have taken a drug and it has impaired your ability to drive.
If you have been stopped and tested by the police, we can step in to represent you straight away to ensure that your rights are observed and that the proper procedure is followed.
Being in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs is an offence as well as actually driving it. This means that you could be charged if you unlocked your car and sat inside it or if you were in the passenger seat supervising a driver with a provisional licence.
We can advise you on how to defend a charge of being in charge and put together evidence showing that there was no prospect of you driving the car wherever possible.
If the drug you have taken was not prescribed for you, you could be charged. Even if a drug was prescribed for you, if it impairs your ability to drive, for example, by making you drowsy or affecting your vision, reaction times, concentration or coordination, you are likely to face charges.
In addition, there is a list of prescription drugs which are illegal to have in your bloodstream over a certain concentration, namely amphetamine, for example, dexamphetamine or selegiline, clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, methadone, morphine or opiate or opioid-based drugs such as codeine, tramadol or fentanyl, oxazepam and temazepam.
Failing to provide a specimen when asked to do so is an offence with similar penalties to that of drug driving. You will need to show that you had a reasonable excuse for refusing to provide a specimen or that the procedure followed by the police was not correct.
We can put together a robust defence on your behalf, and where possible, demonstrate that you had a reasonable excuse or that an incorrect process was used in attempting to obtain a specimen.
The penalties for causing serious injury or death while drug driving are substantial, with a prison sentence of up to 14 years for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs. If you are accused of causing death or serious injury while drug driving, it is important to seek expert legal representation straight away. Our criminal defence team have a high level of experience in dealing with serious drug driving cases, and we will work proactively to defend you and raise any points in mitigation.
Visit our Motoring Offences Pricing page for information about our legal fees, or get in touch for a quote.
At Johnson Astills, we understand how important it is to provide you with a first-class defence. We know that for many people, a driving licence is vital, and you can be sure that we will do all we can to ensure that yours is not at risk.
Our clients’ rights, reputations and liberty are always our priority, and we always work proactively to resolve a case without avoidable delays. We know that the threat of a drug driving conviction can be disruptive and damaging to your personal and professional life, and we will work to protect these in every way we can.
We hold the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation in recognition of our expertise as well as the Lexcel legal practice quality mark for our client-focused approach and outstanding legal practice management.
Our criminal defence team have an exceptional breadth of experience and includes higher court advocates who are able to represent you at all stages of criminal proceedings, ensuring excellent consistency, as well as police station representatives and duty solicitors.
Johnson Astills is independently regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Our cohabitation dispute solicitors provide straightforward, empathetic legal advice and support to clients across Leicestershire and the East Midlands from our two local offices in Leicester or Loughborough.
To speak to a member of our family law team or book an appointment, please contact your local Johnson Astills office or use our contact form, and we will get back to you promptly.
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