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
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kalpage & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+5 moreTraffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dorahy Davis Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Employment Law and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreEmployment Law · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Unfair Dismissal · Drink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
James Dowsley & Associates provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+6 moreBail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Coronial InquestsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Liza Pearce & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Traffic Offences and Criminal Law.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+3 moreTraffic Offences · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gungahlin, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pennicott Weir Lawyers provides legal services in Gungahlin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations.
Criminal Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burrill Lake, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Burrill Lake, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Joseph Ramsay Sanders Lawyers provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Traffic Offences and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTraffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
LegalPro Lawyers provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Drink & Drug Driving · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pennicott Weir Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations.
Criminal Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Ulladulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brisbane Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP and Public Liability.
Personal Injury+7 moreMotor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public Liability · Medical Negligence · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Partner & Family Visas · Drink & Drug DrivingNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ritchie Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · 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(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BJH LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Criminal Law+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shoalhaven Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Employment Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Bail Applications · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Drink & Drug DrivingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
