Our 35-year-old male client came before the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria charged with drink driving and driving while suspended—his third time in court for drink driving offences in just three years.

Given the repeat offending and the combination of both drink driving and driving while suspended, the stakes were high. The Court generally takes a firm approach to repeat drink drivers, and the client faced a real risk of a significant fine, an extended disqualification period, or even imprisonment.

However, the client turned to Elbob & Stephenson Legal after recognising the serious position he was in—and the need for strong, strategic legal representation.

We acted quickly to:

  • Obtain character references and medical material demonstrating the underlying issues that had contributed to the repeat offending
  • Prepare compelling submissions focused on rehabilitation, insight, and accountability, showing the Court that this was a turning point, not a pattern
  • Emphasise the substantial changes our client had made since the most recent offence, including alcohol counselling and full-time employment
  • Highlight that our client had not placed anyone at risk on the occasion in question and had otherwise complied with all court orders

Thanks to our comprehensive sentencing preparation and advocacy, the Magistrate was persuaded to impose:

  • A minor fine
  • Only the minimum licence disqualification applicable under the law
  • No jail time and no community-based orders

Incredibly, the penalty imposed for this third offence was less than the sentence our client received for his very first drink driving matter years ago—a testament to the impact of high-quality legal advocacy.

Repeat offender? Feeling like there’s no way back? Think again. With the right legal team in your corner, even a serious history can result in a fair and proportionate outcome. This case shows exactly why it’s essential to seek quality legal representation from the very beginning. At Elbob & Stephenson Legal, we help clients turn a low point into a fresh start.