SOUTHPORT: DUI Drink Driving 0.075 & Unlicensed No Conviction Recorded

I appeared at Southport Magistrates Court again recently to represent a client charged with Low Range DUI Drink Driving, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.075.

My client was also charged with Unlicensed Driving, due to having an expired licence.

Given my client's licence was expired when intercepted, they were not eligible to apply for a Work Licence.

That said, my client needed to drive to locations not properly serviced by public transport.

Accordingly, my role was one of getting the disqualification down as low as possible, as opposed to applying for a Work Licence.

For a number of reasons, my client held grave concerns with regard to the recording of a conviction.

My role was therefore also one of trying to persuade the Magistrate not to record a conviction.

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

My client faced similarly severe penalties for the Unlicensed Driving charge.

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.

I provided submissions to the Magistrate in relation to why a conviction should not be recorded.

I was able to persuade the Magistrate that a combined licence disqualification for both charges of no more than 2 months was appropriate.

I was also able to persuade the Magistrate not to record a conviction.

My client was extremely happy.

DUI Drink Driving is a serious offence.

Wiseman Lawyers specialise in DUI Drink Driving and Traffic Law.

Regards

Andrew Wiseman, Wiseman Lawyers