Who are the best drink driving lawyers in Sydney?

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Sydney’s top-rated drink driving or DUI lawyers and law firms specialise in defending drink driving charges, including novice range, special range, low range, mid range, high range PCA offences, and DUI cases. With extensive experience in handling various criminal matters such as felonies, federal crimes, drug charges, fraud, financial and white-collar crimes, these experts offer comprehensive legal representation.

They are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes, whether it’s avoiding convictions, minimising penalties, or negotiating favourable plea bargains.

Sydney's Best Drink Driving Lawyers.

With eight offices conveniently located close to the courts, they provide easy and immediate access to experienced drink driving lawyers in Sydney. They offer free consultations and have fixed fees for criminal cases going to court. The firm is trusted by clients for its dedication and proven success, which is reflected in its high-quality legal representation and an outstanding list of awards.

The law firm includes Sydney’s top-rated criminal lawyers, who have achieved a successful track record in consistently getting serious criminal charges dropped early and achieving ‘not guilty’ verdicts in serious criminal jury trials, including section 10 (non-conviction) sentence outcomes.

Recognized as highly respected experts in criminal law, members of the firm have appeared and featured in popular television and radio talkback shows, as well as newspaper articles, for their opinions on the law. They have secured exceptional results in some of Australia’s most complex and high-profile cases over the years.

Sydney Criminal Lawyers is recognised as Australia’s most awarded criminal law firm, with numerous offices spread throughout the Sydney Metropolitan Area. The firm excels in handling a diverse range of criminal and traffic cases, including drink driving, drug driving, drug possession, fraud, and assault. They are renowned for their involvement in some of Australia’s most significant and complex criminal cases.

Their team comprises solicitors and barristers specialising in criminal law. This includes areas such as drink driving offences, drug offences, and white-collar crimes. Sydney Criminal Lawyers takes pride in offering their clients professional legal advice and strong representation in court. They are committed to achieving the most favourable outcomes for every case they handle.

The firm provides legal representation for individuals charged with criminal offences, as well as traffic and driving offences. They cater to a broad spectrum of clients, ranging from those aiming to avoid a conviction or clear their name to those seeking the most advantageous resolution for their case. To learn more about their services and how they can assist, potential clients are encouraged to contact Sydney Criminal Lawyers today.

Astor Legal are rated as the best Sydney drink driving lawyers. The team is led by Avinash Singh, who is one of the few lawyers in Australia to have been listed by the Law Society as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal & Traffic Law. This is a title that less than 6% of lawyers in Australia have been honoured with, putting him in a truly elite bracket.

The firm regularly appears for some of Australia’s most prominent sportspeople, including Olympians and National Rugby League (NRL) players. Their client list has included the likes of rugby league great Andrew Johns.

They have an unmatched record of achieving non-convictions and Section 10 outcomes in recent drink driving cases. They have been recognised in television, radio, online and print media. Journalists regularly quote their legal expertise on breaking news and legal developments.

Address: Level 45/680 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone Number: (02) 7804 2823
Website: astorlegal.com.au

Nyman Gibson Miralis (NGM) is a criminal defence law firm based in Sydney, specialising exclusively in criminal law. Their Sydney criminal defence lawyers defend charges ranging from traffic and drug-related offences to the most serious of criminal charges, including corporate crime and sexual assault, as well as crime commission matters, including ICAC.

Address: Level 9, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone Number02 9264 8884
Website: ngm.com.au

 

5. Australian Criminal Law Group

AC Law Group is a respected law firm specialising in criminal law, co-founded by Deng Adut and Joseph Correy, two solicitors noted for their advocacy and activism.

Deng Adut, a former child soldier, has gained recognition as one of Australia’s best-known solicitors and was honoured as the 2017 NSW Australian of the Year. His accolades include the NSW Law Society President’s Medal and the Pride of Australia award.

Address:1/299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone Number02 8815 8167
Website: aclawgroup.com.au

 

What do drink driving lawyers do?

Drink driving lawyers play a crucial role in representing clients charged with drink driving offences.

  • Evaluate the details of the client’s case, including the police report, breathalyser/blood test results, and any witness statements.
  • Explain the charges, potential penalties (fines, licence suspension, imprisonment), and legal options available.
  • Advise the client on the best course of action and defence strategy based on the specifics of their case.
  • Appear in court on the client’s behalf and advocate for the best possible outcome, such as reduced charges, minimised penalties, or dismissal of the case.
  • Cross-examine prosecution witnesses and challenge the admissibility of evidence against the client.
  • Negotiate with prosecutors for plea bargains or alternative sentencing options.

What are the types of Drink Driving?

There are two main types of drink driving cases which is Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

PCA charges are based solely on the measured blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from a breath or blood test, with different offence categories based on the BAC reading, such as low, mid, and high range. The prosecution only needs to prove that the BAC exceeded the legal limit, not that the driver’s ability was impaired. Defences typically challenge the accuracy of the test or police procedures. DUI charges, on the other hand, are based on police observations that the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle was impaired by alcohol or drugs, regardless of the BAC.

The prosecution must prove actual impairment. Defences may challenge the officer’s observations, offer alternative explanations for the driver’s behaviour, or argue that the driver was not impaired. In summary, PCA cases rely on the BAC reading, while DUI cases require proof of impaired driving ability, making it crucial to understand the type of charge to develop an appropriate legal defence strategy.

Type of Drink Driving Charges in Sydney

There are several types of drink driving charges, each with varying levels of severity and penalties.

  • Novice Range Drink Driving (0.00 to 0.019 BAC for learner, P1, P2, or interlock licence holders)
  • Special Range Drink Driving (0.02 to 0.049 BAC for learner, P1, P2, bus, or taxi drivers)
  • Low Range Drink Driving (0.05 to 0.079 BAC)
  • Mid Range Drink Driving (0.08 to 0.149 BAC)
  • High Range Drink Driving (0.15 BAC and above)
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, regardless of BAC level)


The penalties for drink driving these offences vary based on the BAC level, whether it’s a first or subsequent offence, and other factors like the driver’s licence type. Penalties can include fines, licence suspensions or disqualifications, imprisonment, and mandatory installation of an alcohol interlock device.

NSW has a zero-tolerance policy for certain licence holders such as learners, P-platers, and interlock licence holders, where any detectable level of alcohol can result in charges.

How to choose the right Drink Driving Lawyer in Sydney?

Prioritise Specialisation in Drink Driving Law

Look for a lawyer who specialises in drink driving/traffic offence cases and has significant experience handling similar matters. Ask about their success rate in defending drink driving charges and obtaining favourable outcomes like avoiding convictions or licence suspensions. Enquire about the percentage of their practice dedicated to drink driving cases to gauge their level of expertise.

Investigate the Firm’s Reputation by actually calling them.

Choose a drink driving lawyer who regularly practises in the court where your case will be heard, as they will be familiar with the local magistrates and procedures.

Consider a lawyer’s reputation and track record in your area by reading reviews or seeking recommendations from others who have used their services.

Evaluate the lawyer’s communication style during the initial consultation. They should be approachable, willing to answer your questions, and explain the legal process clearly.

Initial Consultation is your best friend.

Most drink driving lawyers offer a free initial consultation

Open conversations about costs can prevent unforeseen disputes. If you are charged with low, mid or high range drink driving, get a fixed fee pricing.

Drink driving lawyers are essentially the same as criminal lawyer, so you want to ensure that lawyer or firm  have good experience and have successfully handled your type of case to ensure that you get the best possible outcome for your case.

You should trust your instincts and choose a lawyer with whom you feel comfortable sharing sensitive information and who you believe will represent your best interests.

To help you with that, we’ve done the research of going through all criminal law firms operating in the Sydney region from Law Society NSW and have put together a list below.

What questions to ask drink driving lawyer during the first consultation?

Meeting a drink driving lawyer for the first time can be daunting, but asking the right questions can help you feel more confident and informed about your situation.

Copy the questions below, to ensure that you are covering all the bases for your case in your first free consultation.

Experience and Specialisation

  • How long have you been practicing in the area of drink driving/traffic offences?
  • What percentage of your practice is dedicated to drink driving cases?
  • Have you handled cases similar to mine, and what were the typical outcomes?

Legal Strategy and Process

  • What legal options and potential outcomes are available in my case?
  • What is the likely process and timeline for resolving my case?
  • Will you be the lawyer handling my case from start to finish, or will it be delegated?
  • If my case goes to trial, will you require a barrister, and what are the additional costs?

Fees and Costs

  • What are the fees for the initial consultation?
  • Can you provide a detailed breakdown of all potential costs, including legal fees, court fees, and other expenses?
  • What payment arrangements are available? (e.g., upfront, installments, contingency)

Communication and Accessibility

  • How will you keep me informed about the progress of my case? 
  • How can I best communicate with you? (phone, email, in-person meetings) 
  • Are you available for consultations outside of regular business hours if needed?

Do I have to pay for an initial consultation with a drink driving lawyer?

You don’t have to pay for your initial consultation with a drink driving lawyer. While a significant number of law firms offer free initial consultations as a way to understand your case and provide preliminary guidance, there are others who might charge a fee. The policy regarding initial consultations varies from criminal lawyer to other criminal lawyer.

It’s essential to clarify this beforehand during submitting the website form – When reaching out to a criminal lawyer from our directory, it’s always a good practice to ask about any consultation fees.

This way, you can be prepared and make an informed decision when scheduling your appointment.

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