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Licence Suspension and Disqualification

For many people, holding a driver’s licence is vital in order to go about their day-to-day work and family life. Hence a suspension or disqualification of that licence can have dire consequences. There are ways to appeal a decision of this nature by the RTA or police, however there are strict time limits within which to launch an appeal so it’s important to seek expert legal advice right away.

Which decisions can you appeal?

You may be able to go to the Local Court and appeal a decision for the following offences:
• A decision by the RTA for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 kph (Provisional) or 45 kph (Unrestricted).
• A decision by the RTA to suspend a P1 or P2 licence for loss of demerit points.
• An on the spot immediate suspension by the police for exceeding the speed limit by 45 kph.

If your licence has been suspended or disqualified, it is illegal for you to drive. There are serious criminal penalties that can apply if you get caught driving whilst suspended or disqualified.

Lodging a Licence Suspension Appeal

If you wish to appeal your licence suspension to the Local Court, you then have 28 days to lodge the appeal in the Local Court. It is crucial that the appeal is lodged within 28 days as there is no provision for an extension of time.

Lifting a period of disqualification

If a court has convicted you and ordered a period of licence disqualification, you have an automatic right to appeal to the District Court within 28 days of the decision. After this, you have 3 months in which you can appeal, but only with the leave of the District Court. After this time, a decision of the Local Court cannot be appealed.

However, in exceptional circumstances, the Attorney-General’s department has the power to remit the unexpired term of a person’s licence disqualification. What this means is that after a matter has gone to court, and a penalty and disqualification imposed, the disqualification can be lifted. The Attorney-General requires specific criteria for these types of applications. Applicants must demonstrate the following, among other requirements:
• Evidence of rehabilitation;
• Evidence of abstinence from drug/alcohol use, where applicable;
• No (or limited) offending since the date of the penalty;
• Evidence of new-found responsibility;
• Evidence of extraordinary circumstances affecting the applicant, which have arisen after the penalty was impose
• Evidence of a pressing need for a licence (not including loss of income as a result of licence) and the absence of reasonable alternatives to holding a licence.
• Medical grounds (either in an individual or carer capacity) provide the strongest grounds for lifting a disqualification period.

All claims must be supported by appropriate documentary evidence. Character references are also an important part of a successful application.These types of application are rarely granted. It is important that your application be appropriately worded and supported by relevant documentary evidence. Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers has the expertise to put your best case forward.

How can Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers help?

Our Criminal Lawyers will carefully consider your case, advise you on all your legal options, and recommend the best way forward.

Call us now on 02 8059 7121 or contact us after hours on 0420 998 650 or text 24hrs to book an appointment with one of our solicitors.

The initial consultation is free.

Licence Suspension and Disqualification

For many people, holding a driver’s licence is vital in order to go about their day-to-day work and family life. Hence a suspension or disqualification of that licence can have dire consequences. There are ways to appeal a decision of this nature by the RTA or police, however there are strict time limits within which to launch an appeal so it’s important to seek expert legal advice right away.
Which decisions can you appeal?

You may be able to go to the Local Court and appeal a decision for the following offences:

• A decision by the RTA for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 kph (Provisional) or 45 kph (Unrestricted).
• A decision by the RTA to suspend a P1 or P2 licence for loss of demerit points.
• An on the spot immediate suspension by the police for exceeding the speed limit by 45 kph.If your licence has been suspended or disqualified, it is illegal for you to drive. There are serious criminal penalties that can apply if you get caught driving whilst suspended or disqualified.

Lodging a Licence Suspension Appeal

If you wish to appeal your licence suspension to the Local Court, you then have 28 days to lodge the appeal in the Local Court. It is crucial that the appeal is lodged within 28 days as there is no provision for an extension of time.

Lifting a period of disqualification

If a court has convicted you and ordered a period of licence disqualification, you have an automatic right to appeal to the District Court within 28 days of the decision. After this, you have 3 months in which you can appeal, but only with the leave of the District Court. After this time, a decision of the Local Court cannot be appealed.

However, in exceptional circumstances, the Attorney-General’s department has the power to remit the unexpired term of a person’s licence disqualification. What this means is that after a matter has gone to court, and a penalty and disqualification imposed, the disqualification can be lifted. The Attorney-General requires specific criteria for these types of applications. Applicants must demonstrate the following, among other requirements:
• Evidence of rehabilitation;• Evidence of abstinence from drug/alcohol use, where applicable;
• No (or limited) offending since the date of the penalty;• Evidence of new-found responsibility;
• Evidence of extraordinary circumstances affecting the applicant, which have arisen after the penalty was impose• Evidence of a pressing need for a licence (not including loss of income as a result of licence) and the absence of reasonable alternatives to holding a licence
.• Medical grounds (either in an individual or carer capacity) provide the strongest grounds for lifting a disqualification period.

All claims must be supported by appropriate documentary evidence. Character references are also an important part of a successful application.These types of application are rarely granted. It is important that your application be appropriately worded and supported by relevant documentary evidence. Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers has the expertise to put your best case forward.

DUI Charges

DUI charges are Drink Driving charges that are issued without a breath test or other tests, but when there is a clear suspicion that a driver is affected by alcohol. For example, the police or witnesses may notice that a driver’s speech is slurred, they are walking unsteadily, their breath smells of alcohol or the circumstances of an incident (for example, the angle of a crash) suggest that alcohol affected their driving.

PCA charges are more precise than DUI charges and may determine more severe penalties, but DUI charges can be just as serious, as they can aggravate other charges that may have been issued. For example, if a road incident has caused a death, a DUI charge may make the penalty for the offending driver much worse.
Sexual Assault

The charge of Sexual Assault may be laid when the accused has sexual intercourse with another person, without the consent of the other person, and knowing that the other person does not consent to the sexual intercourse.

Penalties:
The maximum possible penalty for the charge of Sexual Intercourse without Consent is 14 years imprisonment. Any person who attempts to commit a sexual assault-related offence may face the same penalties as if they actually committed the offence. However, the penalties vary depending on the gravity of the particular offence. Factors which determine the gravity include: Degree of violence, physical hurt inflicted, form of forced intercourse, degree of humiliation and duration of the offence.

Indecent Assault

The charge of Indecent Assault may be laid when the accused has assaulted someone in a way which carries a sexual connotation, or the intention to obtain sexual gratification. The charge is different to Sexual Assault, which requires penetration.

Penalties:
A charge of indecent assault carries a maximum penalty of up to five years imprisonment. There is also a more serious charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault, which carries intensified maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. The circumstances of aggravation are established when: The offence is committed in company, the victim is under the offender’s authority, the victim has a serious physical disability, or the victim has a serious intellectual disability. The elements for indecent assault need to be established first before considering these aggravating factors.

How can Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers help?

Our Criminal Lawyers will carefully consider your case, advise you on all your legal options, and recommend the best way forward.

Call us now on 02 8059 7121 or contact us after hours on 0420 998 650 or text 24hrs to book an appointment with one of our solicitors.