酒后驾驶罪行
Defending Drink Driving Charges in NSW
Being charged with a drink driving offence in NSW can have serious consequences for your future. Whether you are facing a low range, mid range, or high range PCA charge, the penalties can include fines, licence disqualification, mandatory interlock programs, or even imprisonment.
Detailed description:
- The severity of the penalty depends on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and prior driving history.
- Police can issue on-the-spot licence suspensions for mid and high range offences, and most cases must be dealt with in the Local Court.
- A drink driving conviction may lead to a criminal record, affecting employment, travel, and your personal life.
At Brightstone Defence, our experienced criminal lawyers have successfully defended clients across all categories of drink driving, from novice and special range through to high range offences. We provide clear advice, strategic defence, and strong representation to help you minimise penalties and protect your future.
Drink driving is one of the most commonly prosecuted traffic offences in New South Wales and is taken very seriously by the courts due to the high risk it poses to public safety. Under the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), it is an offence to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit or while under the influence of alcohol.
Police in NSW conduct regular roadside breath tests to detect and deter drink driving, and penalties can be severe, ranging from licence disqualification and fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence and the driver’s history.
Legal Blood Alcohol Limits
In NSW, legal BAC limits vary based on the driver’s licence type and vehicle class:
- Zero BAC: Learner and provisional (P1 and P2) drivers, professional drivers (bus, taxi, heavy vehicle)
- Under 0.02: Drivers of vehicles over 13.9 tonnes
- Under 0.05: Fully licensed drivers of standard vehicles
Drink Driving Offence Categories
There are several categories of drink driving, based on the driver’s BAC reading:
检方必须证明的要素
To establish a drink driving offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:
- You were driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle
- At the time, you were under the influence of alcohol
- Your BAC exceeded the legal limit for your licence type or driver category
可能的防御
Available defences may include:
- BAC reading was inaccurate due to faulty equipment or testing procedure
- You were not the driver or did not attempt to drive
- Honest and reasonable mistake (for example, not knowing your drink was alcoholic)
- The vehicle was not on a road or road-related area as defined under the Act
潜在的处罚
Penalties vary depending on the offence category, whether it is a first or subsequent offence, and whether any aggravating factors (e.g., crash or injury) are involved.
They may include:
- Fines
- Licence disqualification or suspension (on-the-spot or court-imposed)
- Criminal conviction
- Mandatory alcohol interlock orders
- Imprisonment for serious or repeat offences
A first-time low-range offence may be dealt with by way of an infringement notice and immediate licence suspension, while higher-range or repeat offences are prosecuted in court.
Licence Suspension and Disqualification
In most cases, NSW Police can issue an on-the-spot licence suspension for mid-range and high-range offences. The court may also impose a longer disqualification period if convicted.
Drivers may be required to participate in the Alcohol Interlock Program, which involves installing a breath-testing device in their vehicle as a condition of regaining their licence.
法律程序
& 选项
For low-range offences, police may issue a fine and suspend your licence immediately without a court appearance. Mid- and high-range offences generally require you to appear in court. The process typically begins in the Local Court.
Drink driving is a serious matter in NSW. Courts aim to balance the rehabilitation of the offender with the need to deter dangerous behaviour and protect the public. Anyone facing a drink driving charge should seek legal advice as early as possible.
恳求
无罪
If you plead not guilty, Brightstone Defence will build a strong defence strategy tailored to your case. This may involve:
- Challenging the accuracy or timing of BAC results
- Arguing a procedural or legal error
- Presenting medical or factual evidence to dispute the charge
We will examine the evidence, challenge the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best possible result on your behalf.
恳求
有罪
If you choose to plead guilty, your matter will proceed directly to sentencing. Entering an early guilty plea may:
- Reduce legal costs and penalties
- Show remorse, which may lead to a more lenient outcome
Before pleading guilty, speak with one of our experienced criminal lawyers to fully understand your legal options and the potential consequences.
- 这取决于您的驾照类别：
它要求违法者在他们的汽车中安装酒精联锁装置（一种呼气测试器，如果检测到酒精就会禁用汽车）。联锁期从12个月到48个月不等，具体取决于罪行。
- 不。拒绝呼气测试（尤其是在警察局的呼气分析）是一项严重罪行，通常比高级酒后驾驶受到更严厉的处罚。
- 是的，大多数酒后驾驶罪行会造成刑事定罪，除非法院批准第10条驳回或有条件释放令（CRO）。
法院可能会考虑您的情况，但：
- 酒后驾驶被非常严肃对待
- 仅凭就业困难通常不足以避免取消资格
- 如果您寻求宽大处理，法律建议至关重要
对于重复违法者，处罚显著增加，包括：
- 更长的取消资格
- 更重的罚款
- 对第二次高级罪行强制性监禁判决
- 更长的联锁期
- 不。新南威尔士州不提供工作驾照。如果您的驾照被取消资格，您不能为任何目的驾驶，包括工作。
- 立即联系Brightstone Defence Criminal Lawyers获得清晰的建议和强有力的代理来保护您的未来。
- 刑事律师可以通过以下方式帮助您：
- 解释您的权利和法律程序。
- 评估您是否有有效的辩护。
- 与检察官谈判以减少指控或处罚。
- 为法庭准备您的案件并代表您进行辩护。
- 帮助最大限度地减少对您未来的影响，例如避免犯罪记录或长期取消资格。
- 早期法律建议可以显著提高您获得有利结果的机会。
- 这取决于您的驾照类别：
它要求违法者在他们的汽车中安装酒精联锁装置（一种呼气测试器，如果检测到酒精就会禁用汽车）。联锁期从12个月到48个月不等，具体取决于罪行。
- 不。拒绝呼气测试（尤其是在警察局的呼气分析）是一项严重罪行，通常比高级酒后驾驶受到更严厉的处罚。
- 是的，大多数酒后驾驶罪行会造成刑事定罪，除非法院批准第10条驳回或有条件释放令（CRO）。
法院可能会考虑您的情况，但：
- 酒后驾驶被非常严肃对待
- 仅凭就业困难通常不足以避免取消资格
- 如果您寻求宽大处理，法律建议至关重要
对于重复违法者，处罚显著增加，包括：
- 更长的取消资格
- 更重的罚款
- 对第二次高级罪行强制性监禁判决
- 更长的联锁期
- 不。新南威尔士州不提供工作驾照。如果您的驾照被取消资格，您不能为任何目的驾驶，包括工作。
- 立即联系Brightstone Defence Criminal Lawyers获得清晰的建议和强有力的代理来保护您的未来。
- 刑事律师可以通过以下方式帮助您：
- 解释您的权利和法律程序。
- 评估您是否有有效的辩护。
- 与检察官谈判以减少指控或处罚。
- 为法庭准备您的案件并代表您进行辩护。
- 帮助最大限度地减少对您未来的影响，例如避免犯罪记录或长期取消资格。
- 早期法律建议可以显著提高您获得有利结果的机会。
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