Did you know that the police can from the 10th April 2015 the police no longer have to carry out a preliminary roadside breath test and if they have the appropriate device they can request a full evidential breath test at the roadside? This will enable the police to arrest and charge without the need for any delay at the police station for the breath test procedure. There will be no opportunity to consult with a solicitor and it will be difficult to challenge procedural inaccuracies.
The option to substitute a breath speciman which had a reading between 35-50ml of alcohol with a blood/urine test has been abolished. It is a cost cutting exercise which reduces the individuals rights and opportunity to challenge procedures.
In addition the government are bringing new style single justice courts. All individuals who at present get a postal requisition will get a single justice who will with a legal advisor deal with the guilty pleas outside a court room. The costs will be £150 per case for the court costs in addition to prosecution costs. If an individual does not reply the case will be proved in absence. There will be no prosecution and no defence it will be a rubber stamping exercise which will enable the court to get through over a 150 cases in a day netting the Government significant funds. The charges will be in addition to Fines, a victim surcharge and prosecution costs.
