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Whist found under the same source of law as Driving whilst Suspended, disqualified driving is a more aggravating offence and can carry heftier penalties.
A person’s drivers licence is usually disqualified due to offending such as drink/drug driving, dangerous driving or as a result of more serious indictable traffic offences. As such, anyone charged with driving whilst disqualified has essentially defied a previous order of the Court, making the penalty more serious.
If you are facing a charge of driving whilst disqualified, our team will review:
To prove an offence against section 30 of the Road Safety Act 1986 for driving whilst disqualified, the prosecution need to prove:
The Court take driving offences, and specifically disqualified driving offending very seriously. The Prosecution and the Courts will take into account the risk that a disqualified driver poses to the safety of the wider community. As such it can often be against a person’s best interests to attempt to manage their case as a self-represented accused. To ensure that someone is fighting in your corner, contact our office today to discuss your options with our experienced team.
Only the Court have the power to disqualify a person’s driver’s license or permit. In these circumstances, driving disqualified is a strict liability offence, meaning that all the prosecution need to prove is that you were driving and at the time you were driving, you were disqualified.
In some exceptional circumstances, a defence of honest and reasonable mistake of fact may apply. The only valid mistake of fact the Courts are likely to consider is that you were never notified of the disqualification. If your licence was disqualified by the Court and you were not present, known as ex-parte, you should have received notification from VicRoads as to the Court finding and subsequent licence loss.
If you believe that you may have a defence of honest and reasonable mistake of fact, it is important to speak to an experienced criminal lawyer from MK Law to ensure the defence is valid and ensure the Court accept the defence.
In some rare cases the legal chain of causation may be broken which could lead to a finding of not guilty. If you believe your case may have some very unusual features, call our office today to discuss this with one of our criminal lawyers.
If found guilty of driving whilst disqualified, the maximum penalty is a fine of 240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years. Community Corrections orders and combination sentences may also form part of the sentencing disposition.
Upon a finding of guilt, the police have the power to make an application to impound or forfeit your vehicle. In these circumstances, it is important to know your prior driving history and the circumstances of the offending. This will determine whether the application will be successful or dismissed by the Court.
If the police have currently impounded your vehicle or requested a forfeiture order, contact our office on 1800 130 120 today so that our experienced criminal lawyers can determine the merits of resisting the application and make submissions to ensure your vehicle is not impounded for a further period or forfeited to the State.
As mentioned earlier, how the matter proceeds depends on the seriousness of the motor vehicle accident and the outcome.
Where the circumstances involve an accident that results in minimal damage or injury, the matter will proceed in the summary jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court.
If a person is killed or seriously injured and the driver knows they were involved in an accident and fails to stop and render assistance, the penalty exceeds the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court and the matter then proceeds in the Committal stream, eventually being determined in the County Court.
Due to the serious nature of these charges and the significant outcomes that can follow, it is important to get expert legal advice to determine the most appropriate next steps. As a term of imprisonment is a potential risk, if you have been charged with failing in your duty as a driver, contact our office on 1800 130 120 today to discuss your options and find out what MK Law can do to assist you.
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Are you facing charges related to driving while disqualified in Melbourne? MK Law Firm is here to provide you with expert legal assistance and support. Our team of experienced lawyers understands the complexities of traffic law in Melbourne and can guide you through the legal process with professionalism and expertise.
Driving while disqualified can lead to serious consequences, including fines, further license suspension, and even imprisonment. It’s crucial to have skilled legal representation to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case. At MK Law Firm, we are committed to advocating for our clients and ensuring that their voices are heard in court.
If you’re facing charges for driving while disqualified, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. Fill out the contact form or reach MK Law Firm by phone at 1800 130 120. We also provide a 24/7 Free Legal Advice to ensure that you always have access to critical legal advice when you need it the most.
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