Drink and drug driving lawyers represent drivers charged with prescribed concentration of alcohol, drug driving and related offences.
firms
296
regions
16
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Penalties depend on the reading, your driving history and the state. A lawyer can check the testing procedure, advise whether to plead guilty, and prepare material such as character references and course certificates to argue for the lowest possible penalty.
Why drink & drug driving matters
Drink driving penalties include licence disqualification and, for many people, loss of work. How the matter is handled in court makes a real difference.
The Australian context
Each state sets its own blood alcohol offences, penalties and interlock rules. Many states require alcohol interlocks after certain offences, and some allow courts to decline to record a conviction for low-range first offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Conditsis Lawyers Newcastle provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Drug Offences · Divorce & Separation · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(59)Google rating from 59 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Paradise Law provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Business & Commercial Law+3 moreFamily Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(58)Google rating from 58 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Penrith Criminal Law Centre provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(55)Google rating from 55 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rep-Revive Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Employment Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
IMS Lawyers Australia provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Criminal Appeals.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Criminal Appeals · Traffic Offences · Building & Construction · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Drink & Drug Driving
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Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McMahon Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hannay Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Traffic Offences · Family LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.4 languages
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Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
My Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+7 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Assault & Violent Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Beenleigh, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JSLegal Law Practice provides legal services in Beenleigh, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Traffic Offences and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Parenting & Child Custody · Drug Offences · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Drink & Drug Driving
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Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Your Defence Advocates provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Assault & Violent Offences and Drug Offences.
Traffic Offences+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Criminal Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Worrad Traffic & Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+2 moreTraffic Offences · Drink & Drug Driving
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Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Quinn Law Group provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Commercial Litigation, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Commercial Litigation+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Administrative & Government Law · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
NSW Lawyers provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Drug Offences and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+6 moreDrug Offences · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forster, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Drinkwater Criminal and Family Lawyers provides legal services in Forster, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Traffic Offences
Understand the next step
A practical guide to drink & drug driving
What to discuss at the first meeting
Provide the notice, alleged reading or test information and any licence action. Explain prior relevant matters and the practical consequences you want the lawyer to assess.
A court outcome and administrative licence requirements may need separate explanation; ask about both.
How the engagement may progress
01
Send the charge, summons, bail paperwork and hearing dates through the method requested by the lawyer. Identify whether you are enquiring for yourself or someone else.
02
Ask what evidence is available and what must be obtained. Decisions about a plea or statement should follow advice on your own circumstances.
03
Confirm who will attend the next event, where to meet and what preparation is included. Ask how changes in the case would affect the estimate.
Fees and the scope of work
One mention, a contested hearing and an appeal are different scopes of work. Ask about preparation, barrister fees and additional appearances.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Make hearing dates and bail conditions clear at first contact. If the firm cannot assist in time, ask about an available practitioner or the relevant legal-aid service.
Questions to ask a drink & drug driving adviser
What is the next required step for this matter?
Does representation include advice on the licence consequences?
Can you act before the next interview or hearing?
Who will appear and is that included in the quote?
What should I do if police contact me again?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my licence?
Most drink driving convictions carry disqualification. In some circumstances a lawyer can argue for a shorter period or a section 10-style non-conviction outcome where available.
Should I plead guilty?
Get advice first. A lawyer can check whether the police followed proper procedure, whether a defence is available, and whether the charges can be reduced or withdrawn before you enter any plea.
Can I keep my licence after a drink driving charge?
It depends on the reading, your record and your state's laws. In some cases a lawyer can argue for a reduced disqualification period or a work licence where one is available.