Traffic Offences
In Western Australia, there is a multitude of traffic offences set out in the Road Traffic Act 1974 (WA) including but not limited to speeding, DUI’s, reckless driving, dangerous driving, careless driving, driving while disqualified and driving unlicensed.
Traffic offences can attract fines, vehicle impoundment, vehicle confiscation, licence disqualification, and terms of imprisonment, as well as demerit points. They can be dealt with by way of infringement notice or by a summons to attend court.
Traffic infringement notices including monetary fines and demerit point penalties can be issued for a range of traffic offences. Upon receipt of the infringement notice, a person has 28 days to pay in full, nominate the person who was driving at the time or lodge a dispute which will refer the matter to Court for determination.
Some traffic offences such as, but not limited to, road rage offences, hooning/reckless driving offences and driving without a valid licence or contrary to conditions, can also result in your vehicle being immediately impounded by police. Depending on the nature of the traffic offence the vehicle could be impounded for between 28 days and 6 months after which, you must pay fees to have the vehicle returned to you. There are also certain situations, such as repeat offending for driving without a valid licence or hoon offences, or for road rage, where you can have your vehicle confiscated.
The most serious traffic offences such as dangerous driving causing death or grievous bodily harm (whether driving under the influence at the time or not) result in the driver facing considerable terms of imprisonment.
If you are charged with a traffic offence by way of infringement and wish to obtain advice as to whether you have grounds to dispute the offence, you can contact Prime Law to arrange an initial consultation with one of our experienced solicitors.
If you are charged with a traffic offence by way of summons and have an upcoming Court date, you should obtain legal advice before attending the first Court date in relation to the charge, how you should plead and the possible penalties that may be applicable.
Our solicitors can represent you for a plea in mitigation for your sentencing if you intend to plea guilty to try and get you the best possible sentencing outcome. Alternatively, our solicitors can assist you in relation to defending the traffic offence, conferring with police prosecutions in relation to the charge against you and representing you at a trial hearing.
If you are facing a loss of licence, monetary fine, vehicle impound, vehicle confiscation or imprisonment, these can all have a big impact on your life.
Our solicitors at Prime Law are well experienced in all aspects of traffic law and can assist you with minimising the impact of, or challenging, traffic offences you have been charged with. Please do not hesitate to contact our office to book in an initial consultation for preliminary advice in relation to any traffic offence you are facing.
The content of this website is informative only, it is not legal advice.