Drink driving sentence at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court
Nottingham and Newark crime solicitor Lauren Manuel recently represented a client appearing before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for drink driving. Her mitigation meant that he avoid an immediate prison sentence even though his reading was over four times the legal limit.
Lauren represented her client under an affordable fixed fee agreement.
Drink driving – over four times the legal limit
The client was driving his motor vehicle in Nottingham during rush hour. A witness saw the client drive wide around a bend crossing the central line. He tried to correct the vehicle. The car then headed towards a kerb and he lost control of the car. It hit a telegraph pole with enough force so that it caused the pole to be sheared off. It fell into the path of oncoming traffic.
Lauren’s client then attempted to get out of the vehicle and leave the scene. Instead he was detained by members of the public. He cooperated with the police when they asked for a specimen of breath. Unfortunately it was over four times the limit. The offence was further aggravated as he had neither insurance cover or a valid driving licence.
Mitigation avoids immediate prison sentence
Such a high reading in combination with the aggravating circumstances would normally result in an unavoidable and immediate prison sentence. Instead, Lauren was able to use her experience and persuasive advocacy to ensure that the Magistrates felt able to impose a suspended sentence instead.
Lauren identified that she would be able to put compelling personal mitigation before the court so that prison could be avoided. She was able to demonstrate to the Magistrates that her client needed assistance. Of late he had found himself in extremely difficult circumstances. Prior to those arising, and this incident, he had been a man of good character. He had no previous convictions or cautions.
As a result, the court was able to balance her client’s personal mitigation and credit for his guilty pleas against the very serious aggravating features of the offence.
Although he was to be punished, that punishment was a suspended sentence. He was to undergo rehabilitation and address his alcohol misuse. He was, of course, disqualified from driving for a lengthy period.
Affordable Fixed Fee Representation
Although Lauren’s client was not financially eligible to receive free legal aid, she was able to offer him representation by way of an affordable fixed fee.
Contact a motoring law solicitor
Whether you are admitting an offence or intend to contest an allegation such as drink driving you will benefit from seeking expert advice and representation. If you wish to speak to Lauren then please contact her on 0115 9599550. Alternatively you can use the following contact form:
