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Table of Contents:

Pleading Guilty

Special Reasons Not to Disqualify – Does Pleading Guilty Reduce Your Sentence?

Under certain circumstances the courts have a discretion to impose a shorter level of disqualification, or no disqualification following a guilty plea or following a guilty verdict at trial.

Below is a list of the main headings under which the courts would consider these factors:

Emergency Circumstances Guilty Plea

It should be noted that great emphasis is put upon the word “emergency”. It is not enough to simply suggest that you felt the best thing to do in a situation was to drive.

There needs to be a real emergency and the courts will give great consideration as to why you could not phone for a taxi, police officer or ambulance.

3: Laced Drinks

If you have consumed more alcohol than you were aware of and as a result have been found to be driving over the limit you are guilty of the offence. However, if you can convince the court that you were unaware of the amount of alcohol you consumed then the court can exercise their discretion under laced drinks provisions.

You will need to show the court that you would not have been over the limit if you had consumed an amount of alcohol which was within your knowledge. This is usually done using an expert.

4: Shortness of Distance Guilty Plea

If whilst intoxicated you move your car a short distance, the court can reduce or completely remove any disqualification.

There are seven criteria such as road conditions and reason for driving which are relevant, as well as the distance travelled. In these situations the distance travelled does need to be very short to achieve a successful outcome.

For more information regarding the guilty plea or if you want to get in contact with a member of the team, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Alternatively, if you are looking to talk to a member of the team call us (Manchester & North) 0161 839 5117 or (London & South) call 0207 903 5144.

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