Drink Driving
Drink driving is one of the most common charges in New Zealand, and it's taken very seriously by the courts. If you're facing a drink driving charge, it's crucial to understand the potential outcomes and options available to you, including the possibility of saving your license
Excess demerit points
In New Zealand, accruing too many demerit points within a two-year period can lead to a 90-day suspension period. This is different from disqualification, and it's important to understand the options available to you during this period.
Alcohol interlock drink driving
In New Zealand, if you're a repeat drink driver with a previous conviction within five years or if you've been caught with a reading over 800mg, there's a new option that could potentially keep you on the road. This option is the alcohol interlock device, a piece of machinery that you install in your car.
Community work rather than disqualification for traffic charges
In New Zealand, if you're facing traffic charges such as driving while disqualified, driving while suspended, or driving contrary to a limited license, there's a provision in the law that could potentially save your license. This provision, known as Section 94 of the Land Transport Act, allows the court to impose community work instead of disqualification.
Traffic charge keeping a clean record
When facing traffic charges in New Zealand, such as drink driving, dangerous driving, or careless driving, many people want to know how they can keep a clean record. While traffic charges are dealt with differently than criminal charges, there are still several options to consider.
Driving while suspended
In New Zealand, driving while suspended is a serious offence that can lead to significant penalties, including a mandatory minimum six-month disqualification. If you're facing this charge, it's crucial to understand your options and seek legal advice as soon as possible
Traffic not guilty
If you're facing a traffic charge in New Zealand, such as drink driving, dangerous driving, or driving while disqualified, you might consider pleading not guilty. However, it's important to understand the process and implications of this decision, as well as other potential options for saving your license.
Limited licence, work licence - save my licence
If you're facing a disqualification from driving in New Zealand, a limited license, also known as a work license, could be a viable option to keep you on the road. This special license, granted by a judge, allows you to drive for a specific purpose during your disqualification period.
Save my licence , New Zealand traffic law
One of the most common queries I receive as a barrister specialising in criminal and traffic law in New Zealand is, "Can you save my license?" If you're facing traffic charges such as drink driving, driving while disqualified, or driving while suspended, there are several ways to approach your case to potentially keep you on the road.
Special reasons not to disqualify you - save your licence
If you're facing a mandatory disqualification in New Zealand, there's a provision in the law that could potentially save your license. This provision, known as Section 81 of the Land Transport Act, allows the court to impose a shorter disqualification or no disqualification at all in certain circumstances.
Traffic Appeal
If you've been charged with a traffic offence in New Zealand and a decision has gone against you, you might consider an appeal. An appeal is a process where you believe there's a legal reason why the decision shouldn't have gone against you, and you take your case to the next court up.
Driving While Disqualified (By Court)
Disqualified driving is one of the most common charges in New Zealand, and it's crucial to understand the implications and your options if you're facing this charge.
Driving Contrary to a Limited licence
If you've been charged with driving contrary to a limited licence in New Zealand, it's crucial to understand the implications and your options. This offence occurs when you drive outside the terms of the licence granted to you. It's often confused with driving while disqualified, as the paperwork might interchangeably use these terms. However, both fall under the same section, section 32, of the Land Transport Act.