December 10, 2025
Criminal law solicitor Sarah Myatt explains why proposed jury trial reforms won’t solve court delays and risk undermining a key pillar of UK justice.
Drink Driving Solicitors
A drink driving charge can change your life, especially because you're at risk of losing your licence. A driving ban can affect your work, your day-to-day activities and the people who rely on you. The consequences for this offence are severe and can appear to be harsh.
At Switalskis, our expert drink driving solicitors have represented many people in situations like yours. With us, you'll get a legal team that is committed to defending the charge and securing a not guilty verdict or, if that's not possible, to presenting mitigating circumstances and making sure your sentence is fair. We know that there are situations where drivers are not aware that they have consumed alcohol because their drinks have been spiked, or emergency situations where the only option was to drive even if you were above the legal alcohol limits.
The options for your defence will depend on the specifics of your case, and it's important to seek advice at the earliest opportunity to protect your driving licence, your family and your career. Contact the experienced drink driving lawyers at Switalskis today to learn more about how we can help you defend motoring offences. Call us on 0800 138 0458 or get in touch through the website to learn more.
To discuss your situation and find out how we can assist you, give us a call today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch with us via our website.
At Switalskis, our services are tailored to your specific circumstances, so we can build the strongest possible defence for your case. Our drink driving solicitors will take the time to listen to your version of events and understand the charges you're facing, which can enable us to offer expert legal advice tailored to your needs and prepare a suitable defence. Our approach may include challenging the prosecution's evidence or presenting mitigating circumstances, for example. At the same time, we always want to be realistic and honest about potential outcomes so, if we think your best bet is to plead guilty, we'll tell you directly.
We know that a drink driving case can be emotional, but we'll do what we can to remove stress from the process. Your expert drink driving solicitor from Switalskis will take on the bulk of the responsibility for the legal aspects of your claim, to give you more time to focus on the other important things in your life. The penalties for drink driving can be severe, but we'll aim to secure the best possible outcome based on the specifics of your situation.
If you need any additional support, we can put you in touch with resources that can help. We'll be by your side throughout your case, whether that means representing you at a police station, gathering evidence that supports your version of events, or offering legal representation in court. Trust in Switalskis and the expertise of our specialist drink driving solicitors to deliver the best possible resolution to your case.
If you are stopped by the police while driving, the process will depend on whether the police suspect you of an offence such as drug or drink driving, and the circumstances under which you are stopped. The police can stop any vehicle at their discretion, even without a specific reason, and you are legally required to pull over when signalled.
They may ask for your name and address, and to look at your driving licence. Failing to comply without a reasonable excuse can lead to penalties even at this stage, so it is important to cooperate fully if you are stopped.
If the police suspect you of drink driving, they may request a roadside breath test. This is more likely to happen if:
The officer will ask you to blow into a handheld breathalyser. This provides an initial reading of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If you pass - meaning that your BAC is below the drink driving limit of 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath - you will typically be allowed to continue your journey, unless there are other concerns.
If you fail, you will usually be arrested and taken to a police station for further testing. Here, you will be asked to provide a more accurate evidential breath, blood, or urine sample. If you refuse to submit to a breath, blood or urine test, this is a separate offence called 'failing to provide a specimen', which may result in an additional charge for which the penalties are as harsh as those for driving under the influence, if not more so. On the other hand, if you have a medical condition that might affect your ability to provide a sample, you should inform the police immediately.
When follow-up tests confirm that you are over the limit, you will usually be charged with drink driving. The police must take two samples from you and provide you with one, which you can give to an independent laboratory for testing if you choose. If they fail to do so, this is sometimes a basis for your charge to be defended or overturned.
You may be released on bail after you are charged and required to attend court at a later date. Alternatively, you may be held in custody, depending on the circumstances. It's important to know that you have a right to speak to a solicitor and seek legal advice after you're caught drink driving or charged with an offence. You should do this at your earliest opportunity if you are arrested, so that the team at Switalskis can start to build your drink driving defence straight away. Much of your case will depend on the evidence provided by the prosecution and, by getting your solicitor involved early, there may be opportunities to challenge the evidence and start building your defence.
Drink driving is a serious offence, and the penalties can be severe. The sentence you are likely to receive will depend on the circumstances of the case, the level of alcohol in your system, whether you caused an accident, and whether you have previous convictions. Penalties for a drink driving conviction can include:
As we have noted above, if you refuse to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample without a reasonable excuse (such as a medical condition), the potential penalties are similar to those for a conviction for a drink driving offence. If you are convicted of a more serious offence (such as death by dangerous driving while under the influence) the penalties are much more significant. These include:
Beyond legal penalties, convictions can lead to significantly higher insurance premiums. Certain jobs, especially those requiring driving, may be affected by a conviction, and your ability to travel to certain countries may be restricted.
The severity of the penalty often increases if there are aggravating factors, such as having a very high alcohol reading, being involved in an accident, or driving with passengers. On the other hand, mitigating factors like a clean driving record or showing remorse may reduce the penalty. With all this in mind, it is vital to instruct a solicitor who can start to prepare your defence as soon as possible.
Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 0800 1380 458, or contacting us through the website.
Criminal law solicitor Sarah Myatt explains why proposed jury trial reforms won’t solve court delays and risk undermining a key pillar of UK justice.
The announcement that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be removed in 2028 has sparked debate, but one point is clear. If these roles are to go, the funding released must be directed towards areas where it can make a genuine difference to safety and public confidence.
Sarah Myatt joined Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero on an exclusive true crime podcast ‘True Criminals’. The episode, ‘Wrongfully Convicted: The Peter Sullivan Story’ discusses the recent quashed conviction of Peter Sullivan, the UK’s longest serving victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Sarah Myatt, Solicitor Advocate and legal representative for Peter Sullivan, has spoken to Phil McCann at the BBC about the government’s proposed uplift in compensation for victims of miscarriages of justice.
A drink driving charge can turn your life upside down, especially if you rely on driving for work or transportation, but you don't have to face this situation alone. At Switalskis, our specialist drink driving solicitors understand the complex circumstances that can surround an alleged drink driving offence, and we'll offer straightforward, practical advice to help you protect your rights.
A drink driving case can be filled with complicated legal terminology and confusing processes. At Switalskis, we aim to deconstruct all of this complexity and present your case to you in the simplest possible terms. That way, you'll know what to expect from the legal process and the likely outcomes of any decisions you make about your case.
We understand that being charged with any criminal offence comes with a lot of emotional pressure. If you're facing a drink driving conviction that could result in a driving ban or threaten your ability to work or support your family, we know how difficult that can be. We'll offer any support we can, both legal and emotional, to help you through.
We have represented clients in cases involving drink driving law for many years, and we understand the nuances that apply in these situations. The best drink driving solicitors at Switalskis have many years of combined expertise and knowledge, with which we can offer practical support and give you the best chance of a positive outcome.
You have the right to a legal defence, and our drink driving lawyers will stand by you throughout the legal process to make sure you're treated fairly by the system. If you receive a drink driving conviction, we can support you with an appeal or present mitigating circumstances to make sure your sentence isn't harsher than you deserve.
If you're facing a charge of driving while over the legal limit and need support from our specialist drink driving solicitors, get in touch with Switalskis today. We'll take the time to understand your needs and tailor our services to deliver the best possible result.
Call us on 0800 1380 458 or get in touch through our website to start your legal defence today.