PINE RIVERS: Drug Driving (Cannabis) No Conviction Recorded

I appeared at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court again this morning to represent a client charged with Drug Driving, otherwise known as Driving While Relevant Drug Is Present.

My client was found to have Cannabis in their system.

My client was a first time offender.

My client did not apply for a Drug Driving Work Licence.

Accordingly, my role was one of getting the disqualification down as low as possible.

My client faced a maximum penalty for their Drug Driving offence of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 3 months imprisonment and 14 penalty units. 

Magistrates have a general power to impose up to a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, above and beyond any legislated disqualification ranges.

A penalty unit in Queensland is currently valued at $113.85.

Further, persons who plead or are found guilty in the Magistrates Court must pay the Offender Levy, which is presently worth $110.90.

I made detailed and comprehensive verbal submissions to the Magistrate covering a number of key aspects, including why I believed it was appropriate for a conviction not to be recorded.

I was able to persuade the Magistrate that a licence disqualification of no more than the Mandatory Minimum was appropriate.

My client received a 1 month driver’s licence disqualification, a modest fine and No Conviction Recorded.

My client was extremely happy.

Drug Driving is a serious offence.

Wiseman Lawyers specialise in Drug Driving, DUI Drink Driving and Traffic Law.

Regards

Andrew Wiseman, Wiseman Lawyers