Charged with drink driving?
If you have been charged with drink driving, ED Legal can advise you about the charge and your options at court. We represent drivers in Sydney and across NSW, including people facing a first offence and those with previous traffic matters.
Tell us your court date and how you rely on driving for work or family commitments. We can help you prepare your case.
Call ED Legal on 0416 849 997 or request a free initial consultation.
Advice and representation for your case
ED Legal can help you defend the charge or prepare for a guilty plea, depending on your instructions. Where appropriate, we can negotiate with the prosecution about the charges and police facts. We will work with you to prepare your case and represent you in court.
We will discuss the proposed work and legal fees before you decide whether to engage us.
Understanding your drink-driving charge
Your paperwork may refer to a prescribed concentration of alcohol, or PCA. The main ranges are:
Low-range PCA: an alcohol reading of 0.05 to less than 0.08.
Mid-range PCA: an alcohol reading of 0.08 to less than 0.15.
High-range PCA: an alcohol reading of 0.15 or more.
Novice and special-range charges apply to categories of drivers with lower alcohol limits. Driving under the influence and refusing or failing to provide samples are separate offences. We can explain the particular charge and the issues relevant to it.
Preparing your case for court
We will explain what to expect at court and help you prepare for your appearance. This includes advising you on the documents and information relevant to your matter.
For a guilty plea, preparation may include your driving record, character references, an employer’s letter and information about caring responsibilities. We can also discuss whether completing a Traffic Offender Intervention Program or providing relevant treatment information would assist your preparation.
Rather than simply saying that you need your licence, we can help present the practical details: the driving your job involves, your working hours, the transport alternatives and the people who rely on you.
Disqualification and alcohol interlock
We can explain the disqualification periods that apply to your charge and prepare submissions addressing your circumstances.
An alcohol interlock is a breath-testing device connected to a vehicle’s ignition. Under an interlock order, a period of disqualification is followed by a period in which you may drive only vehicles fitted with the device. Mid-range, high-range and repeat drink-driving convictions generally require an interlock order unless the court grants an exemption.
We can discuss your ability to apply to the court for an interlock exemption at sentencing, the grounds available and the effect on your disqualification period.
Sentencing and your circumstances
The outcome depends on the particular offence, its seriousness, your history and the circumstances. We can explain the available sentencing options and help present relevant information to the court.
Where legally available, we can prepare submissions asking the court to deal with the offence without recording a conviction. Our advice will also address how the proposed outcome affects your licence and criminal record.
Preparing to speak with a lawyer
When you contact us, tell us the charge, your recorded alcohol reading if known, and the court and next court date. Have any Court Attendance Notice, police facts or breath-analysis results available. Let us know your licence type and whether you need to drive for work or caring responsibilities. Before sending detailed evidence or confidential documents, ask us how to provide them securely.
To discuss your next step, request a free initial consultation. You can also learn about Ali El-Darwich and ED Legal or explore our traffic-law representation.
Sources
This page provides general information about NSW drink-driving matters. The applicable law, procedure and available options depend on the charge, the person's circumstances and previous court decisions. This overview is not a substitute for checking the provisions applicable to the particular person and proceedings. Obtain legal advice about the particular matter.
