There is no question that drug driving offences are on the rise in Queensland. In fact, some sources say that drug driving is now more common than drink driving. As a result, Queensland Magistrates are growing increasingly frustrated with the number of drug drivers appearing before them in courts. Many Magistrates are also quick to point out that, unlike drink driving (where the consumption of alcohol by itself is legal), drug driving not only involves driving with a drug present in your blood or saliva but also the consumption of an illegal substance. They therefore see drug driving as being two offences in one.
It is important to understand that the Magistrates’ attitude towards drug driving offences has an impact on the sentences that they impose for convicted drug drivers. We are seeing drug drivers being sentenced for longer disqualifications periods than before and many drug drivers are finding it harder to convince a magistrate that they deserve a work licence.
If you have been charged with a drug driving offence, you should not risk representing yourself because the consequences can be just too severe. There are many good reasons why hiring an experienced drug driving lawyer will be well worth the financial investment.
We Can Help You Get A Work Licence
If you are convicted of a drug driving offence, you will be disqualified for at least one month (or three months if you hold a Learners or Provisional licence). For many people, this can be catastrophic as they need their licence to do their job and support their families.
In some circumstances, a driver can apply for a work licence. This means that they will be able to continue driving for work purposes, despite being otherwise disqualified by a Magistrate. This licence is often the difference between a person who is able to continue earning an income and those who face financial hardship and potential ruin.
The application however is not straightforward. You do not simply complete an application form and pick up the new licence. You need to be able to convince a Magistrate that you are a worthy applicant and that you should be given a second chance. The Magistrate will then make a decision whether to grant your application or not.
You also need to be able to show that you are even eligible to apply for a drug driving work licence in the first place. Not all drug driving offences qualify as eligible offences and there are many other reasons why you might not be able to apply for a work licence.
The risk of losing the application is high if you represent yourself. At Harper Finch Lawyers, we know exactly what needs to be done to convince the Magistrate to grant your application for a work licence. Contact us now if you think you might need to apply for a work licence.
We Can Apply For No Recorded Conviction
Many convicted drug drivers don’t realise that their punishment extends long after they have completed their disqualification period and paid their fine. For many drivers, a recorded conviction for a drug driving offence will impact their ability to find new work, travel overseas or enjoy many other benefits that we take for granted.
We understand that you made a mistake by driving while a drug was present in your saliva or blood. We don’t however believe that you should pay for your mistake for the rest of your life. Therefore if you think that a conviction for a drug driving offence might have an impact on your future, you should speak with our drug driving lawyers now to discuss how we can help.
We Will Guide You Through The Process
For many people who have been charged with drug driving, it is the first time that they have had to appear in a Queensland courthouse. This can be a scary experience as there are so many unknowns: what punishment will the Magistrate give? What should be done to prepare for court? And so on.
When you are represented by expert drug driving lawyers, you don’t need to worry about the details of your course. We know the entire process from start to finish and we will make sure that everything goes according to plan. We will let you know in clear terms what you need to do to get ready for court, what will happen while we’re at court and what you need to do once court is finished. We are also always available for ongoing support once your case has been finalised, if necessary.
It is our job to make this stressful experience as easy as possible for you and we are proud of our ability to do this.
Contact Harper Finch Lawyers for Expert Representation
If you have been charged with drug driving, you will probably be wondering whether you should hire a lawyer to represent you. Contact Harper Finch Lawyers for an obligation-free chat and we will go through your case with you to discuss exactly how we can help.