Drug Driving

[cousin jane]

My friend has been caught drug driving (cannabis consumed the night before). Road test saliva showed feint lines. Blood test showed a reading of 2.5. He was summoned to court, pleading not guilty with a solicitor. When he got there, very little was said. They then said he had to appear at a different court in 3 weeks time where he will then plead not guilty and it will then be referred back to the court where he first attended today. Does that sound right? He thought he would plead not guilty today then his solicitor would prepare a case for when it went to trial in about 4 moths time.

[Peter Pedant]

first of all - if it someone else and he is paying a solicitor then go with him
( at £200 / h)

Drug driving is strict(*) ( you do it, doesnt matter if you wanted to or not)
and is binary(*) ( now ) or all-or-none ( 1960s) (*)
that is, any detection is positive and may earn a summons

https://www.gov.uk/drug-driving-law

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Drug-driving-guidance-final.pdf

I have to say I cant get worked up with charges like driving whilst doped with heroin - whaddya expect for chrissakes

I imagine that most people on oramorph wd drive sensibly

(*) wild prolonged screams of "foo wot all dis den"

[bednobs]

what did he get pulled over for?

[davebro]

The reading was 2.5 the legal limit is 2 - what are the grounds for pleading not guilty? Don't waste time and money, just accept the punishment. (all IMV of course).

[cousin jane]

he was pulled for speeding, but the police said they would only charge him with 1 offence.

[roopower]

It never ceases to amaze me how people draw attention to themselves. Caught speeding while under the influence of drugs. He's lucky the police didn't charge him with both.