A higher-end mid range reading at Forster
In this Forster drink driving case study, Joshua Boorman appeared at Forster Local Court, in a regional coastal town in New South Wales, on a mid range PCA offence. The reading was 0.141, at the higher end of the mid range category.
What happened
After coming home from work, the client had about four self-poured scotches over about four hours. He then went for a long walk to the park with his dog. When he got home, somewhere between 9 pm and 10 pm, he was very hungry, having not eaten since lunch, and he made the foolish decision to drive to get some late-night dinner.
Police pulled him over because his headlights were not on. He was breath tested, and the reading was 0.141.
Behind the offence
About 12 months earlier, the client had gone through a marriage separation. He admitted that he had been struggling with alcohol and with depression.
Joshua also explains that he had a tumultuous upbringing. He came from a strictly religious family and, when he did not follow their religious ways as a teenager, he was effectively disowned. He had to stand on his own two feet from an early age. The marriage breakdown, alcohol and mental health issues all coincided and gradually led to this incident.
Doing the right thing
The client took steps to address those issues:
- He saw his doctor and had a mental health care plan prepared.
- He was referred to a psychologist, had a couple of sessions and was keen to continue.
- He completed the Traffic Offenders Program.
- Two family friends provided references.
- He wrote a strong letter of apology to the court.
The outcome
He received:
- the minimum disqualification of 3 months, backdated to 16 March;
- a $650 fine; and
- the alcohol interlock program for 12 months.
A conviction was recorded. Joshua describes it as a good outcome, and says the client can get back to work soon as a concreter and keep addressing the issues in his life.
What this Forster drink driving case study shows
A reading near the top of the mid range is serious, but treatment and genuine insight can still help reach the minimum disqualification. Here, the client had faced up to the separation, his alcohol use and his depression, and could show the court real steps he had already taken, from his doctor and psychologist to the Traffic Offenders Program. Backdating also meant the time already spent off the road counted. 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.
- Police suspensions and court disqualifications: Transport for NSW explains that police can suspend a licence on the spot for certain offences, including driving with a prescribed concentration of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, some serious speeding offences and hoon offences.
- 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 Forster Local Court, NSW drink driving penalties and NSW alcohol interlock laws. Its NSW DUI site covers drink driving matters across regional NSW.
On this site, see a Maitland mid range case and a Lismore higher-end 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 Forster page 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.)
