NEW SOUTH WALES

Bankstown DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Bankstown Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Bankstown Local Court, on the corner of Chapel Road and The Mall, hears drink and drug driving charges from Sydney's south-west. We assist clients at Bankstown Local Court by appearing at court mentions, guilty pleas and sentencing hearings, preparing comprehensive sentencing submissions and character reference material, advising on licence disqualification periods and mandatory alcohol interlock rules under New South Wales law, and preparing Section 10 non-conviction applications.

Court: Bankstown Local Court, corner Chapel Road and The Mall, Bankstown NSW 2200. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Penalty notice: a first low range or drug presence offence may never reach court.
Interlock: mandatory for a first mid range, high range, DUI or refusal conviction, unless the court makes an exemption order.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

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Bankstown Local Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers

What's on this page

Which options are open to you at Bankstown?

Start with the row that describes how your case began. The columns show which choices are realistically available under NSW law. "Possible" means the law allows it, not that it will happen in your case.

Your situation	Can you take it to court?	Can you appeal a roadside suspension?	Is a section 10 possible?	Interlock if convicted?
A. Penalty notice for a first low, special or novice range offence	Yes, by electing to have it heard	No immediate suspension; the notice carries a 3-month suspension	Only if you elect court	No
B. Court notice for a first low, special or novice range offence	Already in court	Not usually relevant	Yes, if not barred by s 203	No (6 months' disqualification, minimum 3)
C. Mid or high range, first offence, with an immediate suspension	Already in court	Yes, under s 268, on a strict test	Possible but less likely as readings rise	Yes, mandatory unless exempted
D. Refused breath analysis or DUI, first offence	Already in court	Yes, as for C	Possible but uncommon	Yes, as for high range
E. Drug presence (cannabis, methylamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine)	Penalty notice may be offered; otherwise in court	Not usually	Yes, if not barred	No (6 months' disqualification, minimum 3)
F. Any drink driving offence, second within 5 years	In court	Depends on the charge	Not if you had one for a similar offence in 5 years	Yes, every range

The rows rely on the Road Transport Act 2013 (RTA) and the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (CSPA).

Row A: should you pay the penalty notice or elect court?

Paying the notice means a fine and a 3-month suspension, with no conviction (TfNSW penalties page). It still counts as an earlier offence for 5 years if you are charged again (RTA s 9).

Electing court opens the door to a section 10, but it also exposes you to the court penalty: a fine up to $2,200 and an automatic 6-month disqualification, reducible to 3 months. How time already served under the notice is treated needs checking in your case. This is a choice to make with advice, not on instinct.

Row B: what happens with a first low range court notice?

Your case starts with a first mention at Bankstown. If you are convicted, disqualification is automatic: 6 months, which the magistrate can reduce to a minimum of 3 (RTA s 205). The maximum fine is $2,200. There is no interlock order for a first low range offence.

The key question is whether the court will deal with it under section 10: a dismissal or a conditional release order without conviction. Either means no conviction and no disqualification. The magistrate looks at your record, character, the circumstances of the driving and any extenuating factors. Read our page on no-conviction outcomes for drink driving in NSW.

Row C: what are your options after a mid or high range charge?

Police can suspend your licence on the spot (RTA s 224), and the suspension usually runs until the case ends. An appeal to the Local Court under s 268 is possible, but the court can lift the suspension only in exceptional circumstances, and it must be filed before the charge is decided.

If convicted of a first offence, the court must make an interlock order unless it makes an exemption order:

mid range (0.08 to under 0.15): 3 to 6 months off the road, then at least 12 months on an interlock; maximum $2,200 and/or 9 months' prison;
high range (0.15 or more): 6 to 9 months off the road, then at least 24 months on an interlock; maximum $3,300 and/or 18 months' prison.

An exemption order is only available on narrow grounds, such as no access to a vehicle or a medical condition, and it brings a longer disqualification instead. See our NSW alcohol interlock guide and the TfNSW Alcohol Interlock Program page. For high range sentencing, see our high range guideline judgment page.

Row D: how are refusal and DUI charges treated?

Refusing a breath analysis, and driving under the influence (RTA s 112), carry the same first-offence maximum as high range: $3,300 and/or 18 months' prison. They are also mandatory interlock offences, with the same periods as high range. A DUI charge needs proof that alcohol or a drug affected your driving. A refusal charge turns on what police asked and what you did, so the details in the police facts matter. Our NSW drink driving defences guide covers the common issues.

Row E: what if it is a drug driving charge?

Driving with cannabis, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine present (RTA s 111) does not require proof you were affected. A first offence may be dealt with by penalty notice. In court, the maximum is $2,200 and disqualification is automatic: 6 months, reducible to 3. A section 10 is possible in the right case. The NSW drug driving penalties guide has more.

Row F: what changes for a second offence?

Within 5 years of an earlier drink or drug driving offence (including one dealt with by penalty notice), maximums rise and every drink driving range becomes an interlock offence. A second low range offence means 1 to 3 months off the road, then at least 12 months on an interlock. A second high range offence means 9 to 12 months, then at least 48 months. A section 10 is barred if you had one for a similar major offence in the last 5 years (RTA s 203). You also need to pass the Driver Knowledge Test before relicensing. Full figures are on our NSW drink driving penalties page.

What should you prepare whichever row you are in?

a Traffic Offenders Program certificate;
character references from people who know about the charge;
an employer letter about your duties and travel;
your NSW driving record;
medical, caring or counselling documents, if relevant.

NSW has no work licence for drink or drug driving disqualifications, so these materials go to the length of the disqualification and whether a conviction is recorded. Our NSW DUI court process guide explains each court stage.

Which courts are near Bankstown?

Burwood Local Court – about 9 km north-east
Fairfield drink driving matters – about 10 km west
Liverpool DUI charges – about 14 km south-west

All courts are listed in our NSW courts we attend directory.

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Bankstown drink driving FAQs

What are the contact details for Bankstown Local Court?

The official Local Court list gives the corner of Chapel Road and The Mall, Bankstown NSW 2200; PO Box 71, Bankstown NSW 2200; phone 1300 679 272 (8.30am to 4.30pm); fax (02) 9722 6060. The registry is open 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. AVL facilities are available in Courtrooms 1 to 5.

What should I bring on my first court date?

Your court attendance notice, photo ID, any suspension notice, signed and dated references, your program certificate and any work or medical documents.

Is the interlock automatic for a first mid range offence?

The court must make an interlock order on conviction unless it makes an exemption order on one of the narrow statutory grounds. A section 10 means no conviction, so no interlock order.

Can I avoid a conviction for a first low range charge?

It is possible. The magistrate decides under CSPA section 10 after looking at your record, character and the circumstances. It is not available if you had a section 10 for a similar offence in the last 5 years.

Should I complete a Traffic Offenders Program before sentence?

It is not compulsory, but a certificate shows the court what you have learnt and what you will do differently.

Sources and date checked

Sources and references for this page, checked 20 Oct 2026.

Local Court of NSW – Court locations B (Bankstown) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – current version (ss 9, 110, 111, 112, 203, 205, 209–212, 224, 268) — checked 20 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10; s 17 (penalty unit $110) — checked 20 Oct 2026
NSW Government (Transport for NSW) – Drink and drug driving penalties — checked 20 Oct 2026
NSW Government (Transport for NSW) – Alcohol Interlock Program — checked 20 Oct 2026

This page is general information about New South Wales law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

Bankstown Local Court — court details

Bankstown Local Court

Street: Corner Chapel Road and The Mall, Bankstown NSW 2200
Postal: PO Box 71, Bankstown NSW 2200
Phone: 1300 679 272
Registry hours: Registry 9.00am – 4.30pm; telephone 8.30am – 4.30pm
Days open: Monday to Friday
Facilities: Audio visual link (AVL) facilities in Courtrooms 1 to 5

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – B (localcourt.nsw.gov.au), saved 19 Oct 2026. These are the court registry's details, not Boorman Lawyers office details. Check your court papers for your listing time and courtroom.

NSW Traffic Law

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Guides for New South Wales traffic law matters.

NSWDrink Driving OffencesRead guide →NSWDrink Driving PenaltiesRead guide →NSWDrink Driving DefencesRead guide →NSWDrug Driving Offences & PenaltiesRead guide →NSWHigh Range PCA Guideline JudgmentRead guide →NSWLicence Suspension AppealRead guide →NSWAlcohol Interlock LawsRead guide →NSWNo Conviction Drink DrivingRead guide →NSWTraffic Offenders ProgramRead guide →NSWDUI Court Process GuideRead guide →NSWDangerous DrivingRead guide →NSWDisqualified DrivingRead guide →

Enquire about legal representation

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

What to have ready

Court & next listing date: Which court is on your paperwork and when your matter is listed.
Charge or reading (if known): Tell us the charge or reading if you have it — you do not need your full police facts yet.
Work & driving needs: Let us know if you rely on your licence for work or family responsibilities.

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