Services > Dangerous Driving
This is really the most serious type of driving offence that any person can face. If the act of driving alleged causes another person serious injury or death, both New South Wales and Queensland courts will impose lengthy jail terms on you if you are convicted of it. In both States the maximum jail term is 14 years.
There are lots of acts which compound the seriousness of this type of offence: for example, the extent to which the driver charged is intoxicated, or speeding, or the degree to which another person is injured as a result of the alleged act of driving. And these additional acts can often involve very complex considerations and require expert opinion about things like the condition of the road and vehicle, the nature and effect of the injuries, the speed the vehicle was travelling, and the extent to which any intoxicating substance in the driver's blood affected his or her driving. So when faced with such a charge, you need representation that will critically assess evidence like this to determine if the opinions offered by the police witnesses are valid. Obviously, the more of these additional features that the police can properly attached to your act of driving, the greater the penalty applicable.
Regrettably, more often than not, the person alleged to have committed this type of offence is a male in his 20's who has never before been to prison. The victim is often known to him, and the trauma of the whole experience is overwhelming for him and his family. In such a state, and particularly given the serious nature of the offence, you will not be capable of handling the matter yourself. To have any hope at all of avoiding a crushing result in these circumstances, you must engage the services of an experienced criminal lawyer.