Being charged and found guilty of drink driving is classified as a criminal offence. This means that you will have a criminal conviction recorded against your name which can have serious implications for your employment and even overseas travel.
Having a Solicitor with experience in achieving charge dismissals or minimised penalties appearing alongside you in Court can play a massive role in the outcome of your matter. At Family Focus Legal we work hard and explore all avenues available to ensure you have a favourable outcome.
Most drink driving charges will fall into one of the three categories below:
Low Range
A low-range drink driving charge is the least serious of this type of charge. A low range refers to having a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.05 to 0.079.
The maximum penalty for this charge depends on whether a person is a first offender or a repeat offender. In both cases, the starting point in sentencing would be for a criminal conviction to be recorded, a fine to be imposed and the offender's licence to be disqualified for six months.
Mid Range
A mid-range drink driving charge is considered more serious than a low-range charge. Mid-range refers to having a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.08 to 0.149. The maximum penalty for a first offender is imprisonment for 9 months, a fine of 20 penalty units and automatic licence disqualification for 12 months. The maximum penalty for a repeat offender is imprisonment for 12 months, a fine of 30 penalty units and automatic licence disqualification for three years.
High Range
A high range drink driving charges are taken incredibly serious by the Police and the Court. High-range refers to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.150 or above. The maximum penalty for a first offender is imprisonment for 18 months, a fine of 30 penalty units and an automatic licence disqualification for 3 years. The maximum penalty for a repeat offender is imprisonment for 2 years, a fine of 50 penalty units and an automatic licence disqualification for 5 years.
If you need advice regarding drink driving charges contact Family Focus Legal for a fixed fee consultation on 02 4655 4224.
