A higher-end mid range reading at Liverpool
In this Liverpool drink driving case study, Joshua Boorman appeared at Liverpool Local Court for a client charged with a middle range drink driving offence. The reading was 0.126, towards the higher end of the middle range. The matter was quite aggravated because there was also a collision, although it was a single-vehicle collision with relatively minor damage.
What happened
On 25 January, the client was at home on an uneventful night, drinking self-poured bourbon and Cokes. At about 10.30 pm he made the poor decision to drive to the shops for late-night takeaway.
He drove the wrong way down a one-way street, quickly realised his mistake and went to make a U-turn. He then collided with a construction barrier at a building site, went through it and continued into a residential front yard. The damage was minimal, he had no passengers, and no one else was involved. Even so, the higher reading combined with a collision was treated as an aggravating feature.
About our client
He was 22 years old with a completely unblemished traffic record and no criminal history. Joshua notes that at his age a clean record is somewhat expected, but it still allowed him to submit that this was an isolated, uncharacteristic incident that was highly unlikely to happen again.
The client had previously been diagnosed with Asperger’s, clinical depression and ADHD, challenges he had faced since he was a teenager. He admitted that around the time of the offence he had been using alcohol regularly as a coping mechanism.
Getting help
Joshua describes a silver lining: the offence prompted the client to seek alcohol counselling. He had attended a couple of sessions with an alcohol counselling service in Liverpool, and evidence of that was presented to the court. The magistrate could see he was making voluntary attempts at rehabilitation.
He had run out of time to complete the Traffic Offenders Program before court, but the confirmation of counselling weighed in his favour. He also tendered a strong letter of apology, a reference from his work and other character references. His mother came to court to support him.
The outcome
- a 4-month disqualification, backdated (Joshua says probably about a month above the minimum, because of the collision and the reading);
- a $900 fine;
- a conviction recorded; and
- the 12-month alcohol interlock program.
Joshua explains that more serious penalties, such as community service, a community correction order or an intensive correction order, were avoided. The client had expected much more time off the road, a higher fine and possibly more serious penalties.
What this Liverpool drink driving case study shows
A collision and a higher reading can push a penalty above the minimum. Here, evidence of counselling, a clean record and good character material helped keep the outcome to a fine and a modest increase on the minimum disqualification. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on the facts.
Key general information (NSW)
General information only, not legal advice, as at October 2026. Every case turns on its own facts.
- Drink driving (PCA) offences: In New South Wales most drink driving charges are “prescribed concentration of alcohol” (PCA) offences under the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW).
- The broad penalty picture: As one example, Transport for NSW lists the maximum court-imposed penalty for a first mid range PCA offence as a fine of $2,200 and up to 9 months’ imprisonment (as at October 2026).
- The Alcohol Interlock Program: A zero alcohol limit applies to all interlock drivers, and a person who receives an interlock order but does not enter the program is disqualified for 5 years.
- Sentencing options: At the lower end, a court can find an offence proved but not record a conviction, either by dismissing the charge or by making a conditional release order (CRO) without conviction.
- The court process: Drink and drug driving charges in NSW are usually dealt with in the Local Court.
Further reading and related videos
Boorman Lawyers has more on appearing at Liverpool Local Court, NSW drink driving penalties and NSW alcohol interlock laws. Its Sydney site covers drink driving matters across Sydney courts.
On this site, see a Parramatta mid range case after a crash and a Campbelltown mid range case, or browse all NSW and drink driving videos.
For people who are preparing to plead guilty without a lawyer, DIY DUI’s guide to drink and drug driving charges at Liverpool covers the local court and plea process. (DIY DUI is a self-help program for people preparing their own guilty plea. It is not legal representation and is not part of Boorman Lawyers.)
