A person is guilty of an offence if they drive, or attempt to drive, a motor vehicle on a road or other public place after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in breath, urine or blood exceeds the prescribed limit. Nearly everyone will know that it an offence to drive whilst drunk (or under the influence of drugs) but few will know of the consequences of such a conviction. Not only would it raise your car insurance but it will also result in a mandatory ban from driving. You will be disqualified for at least 12 months (considerably longer if this isn't your first conviction for such an offence). In addition to a ban, you will also be fined and if your reading is too high a prison sentence is a possibility. It is also an offence to fail to provide a specimen. People will often try anything in an attempt to keep their driving licence, and often end up putting forward preposterous suggestions forward to the Court. This will not help matters, and proper legal advice should be sought in respect of potential defences.Lay clients can either brief a barrister through a solicitor or they can come direct to a barrister under the direct access, or as it is sometimes known public access, scheme.