Legal Aid

[Paul22118]

One for Ethel I hope.

I have been asked a question which I cannot accurately answer. Is a young man charged with drunk in charge (72 figure) and has no money, entitled to free legal aid in the form of a solicitor to speak for him at mags court. I believe the plea will be guilty.

No other vehicle involved, no other person involved, sole occupant of vehicle as the driver, but pi**ed. Likely outcome on a clean licence?

[Ethel]

No chance of legal aid, as far as I know. The rules have changed considerably in the last few years - of course making it tougher to get it.

It is available for very serious criminal motoring offences such as causing death by dangerous driving, but not for a straightforward drink drive offence.

However, I am not absolutely sure.

Penalty for drink drive - ban of between 1 and 3 years; a fine up to �5000 or possibly a 6 month prison sentence.

If you are saying his breath test was 72, the guidelines are a 2 year ban - more if he has a record of previous convictions / offences.