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    Drink Driving across the North West

    Motoring Law, Chester

    Drink Driving Solicitor in Chester

    If you have been charged with drink driving in Chester, you face a minimum 12 month disqualification on conviction, an unlimited fine, and a community or even custodial sentence on higher readings. But a charge is not a conviction: the breath, blood and urine procedures are tightly regulated, and they are not always followed correctly.

    Solicitor Sean Reilly defends drink driving cases across Chester and Cheshire and the wider Cheshire area. The first call is free on 07538 545 934, and Sean will give you an honest view of your options before you decide how to plead.

    Sean Reilly, criminal defence solicitor in Manchester

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    The procedure has to be right

    Breath, blood and urine procedures are tightly regulated, and the police get them wrong more often than people expect. Sean scrutinises the intoximeter print out, the statutory warning, the reliability of the reading, medical reasons for any failure, the continuity of any sample and the whole custody record.

    If the procedure was not followed, the reading may not be reliable or admissible, and that can change the entire case. This is why the evidence needs to be read properly before any plea is entered.

    Defences to drink driving

    A defective breath testing device or failed calibration checks, a breach of the MGDD procedure, or a statutory warning that was not given can all undermine the prosecution case. Post-driving consumption, sometimes called the hip flask defence, and spiked drink cases also arise more often than people think.

    None of these defences can be judged without the evidence. Sean obtains and reads the prosecution papers before advising you, so the decision to fight or to plead is based on what the evidence actually shows.

    Special reasons and keeping the ban as short as possible

    Even where the offence is admitted, the court can decline to disqualify you if there are special reasons, such as a very short distance driven or a genuine emergency. A special reasons argument must be properly prepared with evidence and legal authority.

    Where a ban is unavoidable, the work shifts to keeping it as short as possible and keeping you out of custody on higher readings. Sean also puts forward the drink drive rehabilitation course where it is available, which reduces the length of the ban. Sean has run successful special reasons arguments on lesser known case law, although every case depends on its own facts and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

    Your case at Chester Magistrates' Court

    Motoring cases from Chester are usually heard at Chester Magistrates' Court on Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2XA. The court and date for your hearing will be on your charge sheet, postal requisition or single justice procedure notice.

    Sean attends Chester Magistrates' Court and will explain what to expect on the day, from where to go when you arrive to how the hearing itself is likely to run.

    Getting advice from Chester

    Sean helps clients across Chester, Crewe, Northwich, Winsford and Ellesmere Port. The first conversation is a free phone call, and most advice can be given by phone or video at a time that suits you.

    You deal with Sean directly throughout. He prepares the case himself, attends court with you, and gives you an honest view of your options before you decide anything.

    This page is general information, not legal advice on your case. Every case depends on its own facts, so speak to Sean about your situation before you decide anything.

    STR Legal Ltd is a consultancy, not an SRA-regulated law firm. Legal services are provided through SRA-regulated law firms, as explained on our how we work page.

    Penalties you could face

    • Minimum 12 month disqualification, rising sharply with the reading
    • Unlimited fine, and community or custodial sentence on high readings
    • 3 year minimum ban for a second offence within 10 years
    • Insurance and employment consequences that often outlast the sentence

    How Sean can help

    • Defective breath testing device or failed calibration checks
    • Breach of MGDD procedure or statutory warning not given
    • Post-driving consumption (hip flask defence) and spiked drink cases
    • Special reasons arguments including short distance driven and genuine emergency

    Frequently asked questions

    Will I definitely lose my licence for drink driving in Chester?

    A conviction carries a minimum 12 month ban, but a charge is not a conviction. If the procedure was flawed there may be a defence, and even after a guilty plea a successful special reasons argument allows the court not to disqualify. Sean will give you an honest view on the free call.

    Should I plead guilty at the first hearing?

    Not before someone has read the evidence. An early plea only helps if the case against you is actually sound, so get advice first, then decide.

    What is the drink drive rehabilitation course?

    It is a course the court can offer that reduces the length of a disqualification. Where a ban is unavoidable, Sean puts the course forward as part of mitigation.

    Which court will my drink driving case be heard at?

    Chester motoring cases are usually heard at Chester Magistrates' Court, Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2XA. Your paperwork will confirm the court and date.

    Can I get advice without travelling?

    Yes. The first call is free on 07538 545 934, and most advice can be given by phone or video. If your case goes to court, Sean attends with you.

    Sean Reilly, criminal defence solicitor in Manchester

    Drink Driving advice in Chester

    Free consultation call, straight answers and no jargon. Available for police station attendance and court hearings across the North West.

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