Drink Driving QLD
The Best Representation In The Industry
Those that take the chance and drive while under the influence potentially risk getting caught and facing a drink driving charge. Sometimes the gravity of the situation only sinks in after the fact, once it’s too late. If you find yourself in this predicament, it’s a good idea to seek legal advice. A legal representative can help to alleviate the stress by guiding you through the court process and assisting you to obtain a work licence, if needed. They work in your best interests and will endeavour to lessen the severity of your charge.
Drink driving offences are considered serious here in Queensland and our panel of skilled drink driving lawyers can offer expert advice based on your circumstances. Drink driving charges can have detrimental repercussions on your ability to maintain employment and travel internationally. Having an experienced lawyer on your side can help protect your future.
With more than 24 years of experience helping people stay on the road, we know what it takes to get a Work Licence or Special Hardship Order granted. Many rely on having a licence to get to and from work and to complete essential commitments. Don’t risk losing your licence, or worse cop a harsh penalty such as a jail term by representing yourself. No two drink driving charges are the same and our experienced drink driving lawyers can advise you of the best approach given your situation. Get in contact today to discuss your options.
If I Know I Am Guilty Of Drink Driving, Why Do I Need A Lawyer?
There are many benefits to having a lawyer even when you plead guilty, without a lawyer present you can face many risks and are more likely to receive a higher penalty.
If You Represent Yourself You Are At Risk Of:
- Receiving a longer disqualification period.
- Receiving a higher penalty.
- Failing to mention important aspects to the Magistrate.
- Not getting a work license.
- Being sentenced to jail.
Potential Benefits Of Having One Of Our Experienced Drink Driver Lawyers To Represent You:
- Receive advice on likely penalty and disqualification period.
- A lawyer who can help you prepare for court.
- Avoid a long period of disqualification.
- Avoid a higher penalty.
- Succeed in obtaining your work license.
- An experienced advocate who can make submissions on your behalf.
- Knowledge of the law and courts.
Drink Driving Charges QLD
Queensland takes a strong stance on drink driving charges and unlike some other states, it is the law that part of the punishment includes a disqualification period regardless of how much losing your licence will affect your livelihood or day to day life. Over the years the Queensland Government has ramped up drink driving awareness and the courts have zero tolerance for this charge. Drink Driving Lawyers are one of South East Queensland’s leading law firms and in our time we have had over 1,500 work licences granted. The charges for drink driving vary depending on your blood alcohol level at the time of the offence. Generally, the higher your reading the harsher the punishment. Drink driving charges are categorised into 3 various charges, including:
- Low range drink driving charge which is 0.05% or above
- Middle range drink driving charge which is 0.10% or above
- High range drink driving charge 0.15% or above
Drink Driving Penalties QLD
There is a range of penalties for drink driving charges, one of them is a disqualification period. How long you are prohibited from driving will depend on many factors, some include:
- If you’re a repeat offender or not
- If you held a valid open licence when the offence was committed
- The alcohol level obtained from breath/blood analysis at the time of the offence
- If you were committing other criminal acts at the time, such as driving whilst suspended or on a Learner or Provisional Licence
- If you cooperated with the police
- If anyone was injured as a result
- If you plead guilty from the get-go
- The circumstances leading up to the offence
Other penalties can include:
- Fine
- Probation order
- Jail term
The severity of your charge will determine how costly your fine is and whether you will face being charged with more penalties. An experienced drink driving lawyer can help get the best result given your situation.
High Range Drink Driving Charge QLD
High range drink driving is the most serious drink driving charge and carries the harshest penalties. High range is considered a reading of 0.15% and over. The minimum disqualification period is 6 months and the maximum penalty in Queensland is a 9-month jail term for first-time offenders. Subsequent offenders face harsher penalties.
Mid-Range Drink Driving Charge QLD
Mid-range drink driving is an alcohol level between high range and low range. Someone who has been charged with this offence has been found with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of over 0.10% but under 0.15%. The charge carries a maximum of 6-month imprisonment for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders can expect to have an Alcohol Ignition Interlock device installed in their nominated car for 12 months until they get their licence back.
Low Range Drink Driving Charge QLD
A low range drink charge is driving whilst over the general alcohol limit of 0.05% yet under the mid-range driving level of 0.10%. The maximum penalty for a first-time offender is 3 months jail with the minimum punishment being a fine and disqualification period. Serial low range drink driving offenders will receive more significant penalties for their actions.
Drink Driving Laws QLD
Queensland law states that those with Learner, Probationary and Provisional licences must have a zero blood/breath level while driving.
- Those with valid Open Licences including motorcycles and supervisors of L plate drivers must have a BAC lower than 0.05.
- A zero BAC applies for the following:
- Public passenger vehicles such as taxi and limousines
- Tow trucks, escort vehicles and pilots
- Vehicles with loads of dangerous goods
- A bus that can transport over 12 passengers including the driver
- Vehicles with an articulated motor
- Vehicles weighing more than 4.5 tonnes
- Those that hold a class RE licence (in their first year)
- Driver trainers of specially constructed vehicles
If you need some professional legal advice regarding a drink driving charge, get in touch with our team of senior drink driving lawyers here at Drink Driving Lawyers today for your free consultation.
Your Team - The Best in the Business
It’s important that you understand that Drink and Drug driving offences are considered serious!
There are also serious consequences if you don’t have your matter dealt with appropriately.
How much do you depend on the ability to drive? How is your life going to be affected if you can’t drive in order to meet your daily life and professional commitments?
At Drink Driver Lawyer, we spend each day in court dealing with exactly what you’re are currently facing.
It’s equally important that you understand, that with Drink Driver Lawyer, you aren’t just another number. Our team take personal interest in each person, their individual circumstances and their case. Understanding your situation and individual needs, assists our team to achieve the best result for you.
We are locals, we are trusted, and we are on your side during what can be a stressful time.
Give yourself the best chance of staying on the road, contact your Drink Driver Lawyer team today – call 07 3999 8661. My team and I are committed to getting the best result for you.
Shannon McLaughlin
Expert Traffic Lawyer and Queensland Law Society member
4 REASONS WHY WE ARE QUEENSLANDS FIRST CHOICE:
Free Advice
We proudly commence all work by giving you no obligation, free advice on your case. This means there is no risk and no pressure on you. You are able to explore you options and gain a greater understanding of your matter without an upfront cost.
No Judgment
Our team are friendly and compassionate, we understand mistakes happen to people from all walks of life.
Expertise
Many firms offer criminal representation, few specialise in criminal and traffic matters. We have been protecting our clients’ rights with a combined over 100 years of experience in the exact issues you are facing.
Fixed Fees
The certainty of a fixed fee. In most cases, you will know the costs of your matter so you can plan your finances. Call us for a quote today. We care about every one of our clients and we will support you through what can be the most stressful experience of your life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have been charged with drink driving, you must appear in court. Failure to appear in court on the scheduled date carries serious consequences. The Magistrate may issue an arrest warrant for you, and police may come and arrest you. You will probably be fined, and additional charges may be filed against you for failing to appear in court. Check that your address with Queensland Transport is correct so that all mail regarding your appearance reaches you. Additionally, remember your court date and arrive early to avoid being late or missing it.
In Queensland, if you have been charged with a criminal offence or the police have issued you a notice to appear, you must go to court. If you cannot attend, you need to notify your lawyer or courthouse for the best possible action to take from there.
In Queensland, it is considered an offence to refuse to comply to a breath test when a police officer has requested it. Failure to comply can lead to hefty fines, as well as a minimum of a six month disqualification period and a $4000 fine. In some cases, a jail sentence of 6 months is a possibility.
Not everyone is eligible for a work licence. If you are eligible, you’ll need to go to the court on the requested date. At court, you will need to ask the Magistrate for an adjournment so you can get the paperwork together for a work licence. You will need to have this paperwork done before the next court hearing – which is when the application will be considered. The Magistrate will be the one deciding whether or not you will get a work licence. It can help to present a letter from yourself and your employer on why you need a licence.
If you have been given a traffic fine and you believe it is incorrect, whether it be by a police officer, traffic camera or transport inspector, you can dispute it in court. If you want to dispute it, it must be within 28 days of receiving the fine otherwise you may receive an overdue penalty.
If you receive a notice to choose, this is in relation to a demerit points enforcement. You have the option to choose whether your licence gets suspended or you get put on good driving behaviour (GBD) for a certain amount of time. For GBD to be an option, you must hold a current QLD licence. You must submit your choice before the due date otherwise suspension will be the default option.
Driver education programs are designed to cater to those who are facing traffic related charges in court here in Queensland. In this program, offenders are educated about the dangers and consequences of driving offences and aim to provide awareness on the subject.
Individuals who have been charged with a traffic offence can benefit greatly from this course as it is highly regarded by the courts and might even lead to their fine being lower.
When you make contact with a traffic lawyer for advice and they set up a meeting, they will let you know what to bring. Usually, any supporting documentation in relation to the case, as well as your driver’s licence, police reports and other documentation are things you should bring along.