Winner of the Legal 500 - 'Criminal, Fraud & Licensing Law Firm of the Year 2019'
Failure to Provide a Specimen - Defence Solicitors
The Law
The offence of failing to provide a specimen is committed if:
“a person, without reasonable excuse, fails to provide a specimen when required to do so.”
The police can lawfully require a person to provide a specimen of:
- blood;
- breath, or
- urine
In the course of an investigation as to whether a person has committed the offences of:
- being in charge/driving or attempting to drive whilst unfit, or
- driving/attempting to drive with excess alcohol.
When a person fails to give a sample requested, either at the roadside or at the police station, they commit the offence unless they can show they had a reasonable excuse for not providing.
The officer must warn the person that they could be prosecuted for failing to provide.
The police will decide which sample they require. The suspect cannot choose.
Usually a breath specimen will be first requested. However, a blood or urine sample could be requested.
The Defences
Reasonable Excuse
If a reasonable excuse is raised for not providing a specimen, then a defendant should be acquitted of the offence unless the prosecution can prove (beyond reasonable doubt) that no reasonable excuse exists.
A reasonable excuse is generally one which prevents a person from physically or mentally being able to provide a sample such as:
- Asthma
- Chest infection
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Fear or phobia of needles
- Prostate problems
The defence has to prove the reasonable excuse on the balance of probabilities therefore, in most cases, expert medical evidence should be obtained in support.
Latest News
Driving Whilst Disqualified | Kangs Motor Offences Defence Solicitors
Under Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (‘the Act’) it is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road whilst disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence. An offence of this nature is dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court and considered a very...
VAT Assessment Solicitors | Kittel Principle in HMRC Cases
Many businesses will receive a Notice of VAT Assessment and Penalty Notice from HMRC during the course of their existence. One such Notice of VAT Assessment from HMRC is based on the Kittel Principle. If you receive a Kittel Notice from HMRC it is important to act...
Further Leave To Remain Granted | Derivative Rights of Residence | Kangs Immigration Solicitors
Kangs Solicitors has recently successfully assisted a client, a female Somalian national, obtain Further Leave to Remain in the UK under the Derivative Rights of Residence under the EEA Regulations. The Circumstances | Kangs Immigration Solicitors Our client entered...
Confiscation Orders | Inadequacy Of Assets | Kangs POCA Solicitors
In view of the current turbulent and uncertain worldwide financial situation encompassing depressed property and stock markets and a potential decline in the value of assets generally, both now and in the foreseeable future, it is clear that those subject to the...
Company Investigations | Kangs Insolvency Service Solicitors
The powers of the Company Investigations arm of the Insolvency Service derive from the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy under the Companies Act 1985 (‘the Act’). Kangs Solicitors has expert teams of insolvency lawyers...
Procedural Defences
The police must follow the correct procedure during the process.
For example, should the warning of prosecution not be given, the suspect cannot be found to have committed the offence.
The Penalties
If you are convicted of the offence of failing to provide a specimen, the Magistrates may sentence as follows:
- Fine and / or imprisonment for a maximum of 6 months;
- Obligatory disqualification for a minimum period of 12 months (usually 12 – 36 months);
- If it is a second disqualification within 10 years, obligatory disqualification for a period of 3 years;
- If the sample request was made in connection with an offence of “being in charge” disqualification is discretionary and 10 penalty points must be endorsed.
How Can Kangs Solicitors Help?
Kangs Solicitors have a dedicated team which is experienced in representing defendants in motoring matters.
If you have been charged with an offence of failing to provide, it is important that you obtain expert legal advice as soon as possible.
Kangs Solicitors will investigate and advise whether you have a defence to the charge.
If you do have a defence, one of our expert motoring lawyers can represent you at trial.
If we believe that there is no defence available to you, we can prepare and present mitigation to the Court in order to minimise the sentence.
For expert advice regarding any motoring offence please contact our team of solicitors which has a proven track-record in defending clients on motoring matters.
Contact
Sukhdip Randhawa
srandhawa@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 07989 521210 (24 hr Emergency Number)
Birmingham
2 Wake Green Road, Moseley
Birmingham, B13 9EZ
0121 449 9888
London
9 Carmelite Street,
London, EC4Y 0DR
020 7936 6396
Manchester
76 King Street
Manchester, M2 4NH