If you are arrested by the police on suspicion of drug driving you will be asked to provide a specimen of blood. The police will take one sample and divide that sample into two and you should be offered one of the samples but many drivers refuse because they do not know what to do with it or the importance of keeping it.
Retaining your blood sample when offered by the police is an important step in protecting your rights and ensuring a fair legal process. Blood samples can provide crucial evidence in a criminal case and can be used to either prove or disprove your guilt.
By retaining a blood sample, you can have it independently tested by a laboratory of your choosing. This can help to provide a more accurate picture of your blood alcohol or drug level at the time of their arrest. Independent testing can also help to identify any potential issues with the original sample or testing process.
In some cases, an individual’s blood sample may be the only physical evidence in their case. If the sample is not retained, you may be unable to challenge the results of the police’s testing or to have your case reviewed. Retaining the sample can also help to protect against errors in the testing process, such as contamination or mislabelling of the prosecution sample, which could lead to incorrect results.
Retaining a blood sample can give you peace of mind. By having your sample independently tested, you will have a better understanding of the evidence against you and can make informed decision about your case.
It is important to note that retaining a blood sample is a legal right in the U.K. and you should not be discouraged or intimidated by the police. An individual has the right to request that a sample be kept and to have it tested by an independent laboratory of their choice. Failure by the police to adhere to this request can result in the case against you being dismissed.
In conclusion, retaining a blood sample offered by the police after being arrested in the U.K. is an important step in protecting your rights and ensuring a fair legal process. It can provide crucial evidence, help to identify potential issues with the original sample or testing process, and provide peace of mind for the individual.
If you have a sample which you have retained, you can call us for details as to where you can get it tested.
Auriga Advocates, based in Cheshire, are specialist road traffic defence solicitors.
Contact Auriga today for free initial advice and protect your licence!