The mid-range is for blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 up to (but not including) 0.150 upon breath analysis or blood analysis.
The reading upon analysis might well be accurate – but not necessarily the reading that you had at the all important time of driving. We can advise you whether or not there are grounds to challenge the reading; how the reading is challenged; the costs involved and the process. Obviously if you were successful in challenging the reading, you would be looking at a lower blood alcohol concentration such as in the Low Range which has lower penalties, or below 0.05 which carries no penalty if you have an ordinary driver’s licence (ie. not P platers, profesional drivers etc).
It is possible in certain circumstances that no conviction is recorded and your licence returned even upon a plea of guilty. We can advise you of the best means of presenting your case including advice concerning character references. We will consider your subjective and objective circumstances and discuss with you the potential benefit of attending the Traffic Offender Intervention Program – a number of our solicitors lecture at the program.
A conviction for drink driving means a criminal conviction and a criminal record. It also means a mandatory disqualification which for a first offence within 5 years will be an automatic period of 12 months. This period can be reduced to not less than 6 months unless you avoid a conviction altogether. We will advise you on how this can potentially be achieved. The maximum fine is $2,200. You can go to gaol for a mid range drink driving offence.
If it is your second or subsequent offence within 5 years, you will face an automatic period of disqualification of 3 years which can be reduced to not less than 12 months. However, we can advise you on how to get your licence back in 6 months. Contact one of our specialists for advice. The maximum fine increases to $3,300.