Charged with drink or drug driving? Your licence and record are on the line. We give you clear, confidential advice and work to keep the impact on your life as small as possible.
Drink and drug driving charges carry licence loss, fines and — at higher readings — real consequences for your record and your ability to work. But how a matter is handled makes a genuine difference to the outcome.
We explain your options honestly, prepare your matter properly, and put your best case to the Court, whether you're defending the charge or pleading with strong mitigation.
We explain the likely outcome and your options — defend, or plead with mitigation.
We check how the reading was taken and whether the charge and procedure are sound.
We gather references and material that genuinely influence penalty and licence outcomes.
We represent you at the Magistrates' Court and put your strongest case forward.
Penalties climb steeply with your blood-alcohol reading. A first low-range offence may be dealt with more leniently, while high-range and repeat offences carry long mandatory disqualifications, heavy fines, compulsory alcohol interlocks and, in the most serious cases, the risk of imprisonment. Every reading and history is different - which is exactly why early advice pays off.
Drink-driving matters are heard in the Magistrates' Court, so someone needs to appear - and that's us. Your advice and preparation, though, can be handled by online consultation by phone or video, so you can get moving quickly without an office visit while we take care of the court date for you.
Many drink-driving charges carry mandatory licence loss, but the length and conditions vary. We advise on your specific reading and history.
Not before getting advice. Even on a plea, how your matter is presented can significantly affect the penalty and licence period.
Sometimes — depending on how the reading was obtained and the procedure followed. We'll tell you honestly whether there's a defence.
Many offences require an alcohol interlock afterwards. We explain what applies and how to satisfy the conditions.
It depends on your blood-alcohol reading and whether you've offended before. Victoria sets minimum disqualification periods that rise sharply with the reading, and an alcohol interlock is usually required afterwards. We advise on the exact range for your reading and history.
No. Unlike some other states, Victoria does not have a 'work licence' or restricted licence for drink-driving disqualifications - once you're off the road, you're off. That's exactly why getting the disqualification period and interlock conditions right matters so much.
After a drink-driving disqualification you generally must drive with an alcohol interlock - a breath-testing device fitted to your car - for a set period before your licence is fully restored. We explain what applies to you and how to apply to have it removed.
They're separate offences, but both put your licence at risk. Drug driving can be charged simply for having an illicit drug present in your system, regardless of impairment. We defend both and advise on your options.
Waters & Co gives confidential drink-driving advice in Epping — before you go to court.
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