NEW SOUTH WALES

Sutherland DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Sutherland Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Sutherland Local Court, on the corner of Flora and Belmont Streets, hears drink and drug driving charges from across the Shire, Monday to Friday. We assist clients at Sutherland 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: Sutherland Local Court, Cnr Flora and Belmont Streets, Sutherland NSW 2232. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post: PO Box 37, Sutherland NSW 2232 (also used for Kogarah registry matters).
Penalties: each line – 0.02, 0.05, 0.08, 0.15 – adds a higher fine, longer disqualification or an interlock; s 205 disqualification is automatic on conviction.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

Sutherland Local Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers

What's on this page

What does each reading line add to your penalty?

In NSW the penalty does not rise smoothly with the reading. It jumps at fixed lines, and each line either brings new drivers into the offence or adds a heavier consequence. Find the highest line your reading crossed; everything on that row and the rows above it applies. Figures are first offences.

Line crossed	Who it applies to	Charge	What is added at this step
Any alcohol (above 0.00)	Learner and provisional drivers, unlicensed drivers	Novice range PCA	Fine up to $2,200; 6-month automatic disqualification (court may reduce to 3); penalty notice possible
0.02	Heavy vehicle, bus, taxi and rideshare-type public passenger drivers, dangerous goods drivers	Special range PCA	Same as novice range; now applies to professional drivers
0.05	Every driver, including full licence holders	Low range PCA	Fine up to $2,200; 6-month automatic disqualification (minimum 3); penalty notice possible for a first offence
0.08	Every driver	Mid range PCA	Police can suspend on the spot; prison up to 9 months; mandatory interlock for at least 12 months after a 6-month automatic disqualification (minimum 3)
0.15	Every driver	High range PCA	Fine up to $3,300; prison up to 18 months; 12-month automatic disqualification (minimum 6); interlock for at least 24 months
Refusal, or impairment proved	Every driver	Refusing a test; driving under the influence	Treated at the high range level: same fine, prison, disqualification and interlock

Illicit drug present (s 111) sits at the low range level: fine up to $2,200 and 6 months' disqualification, with no interlock and a penalty notice possible for a first offence.

What happens on a second rung?

If you have a previous major offence within five years (s 9 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW)), every row moves up:

Line crossed (second offence)	Automatic disqualification (minimum)	Interlock	Highest fine and prison
Novice, special or low range	12 months (6)	Yes – at least 12 months	$3,300
Mid range	3 years (12 months)	Yes – at least 24 months	$3,300 and 12 months
High range, refusal, DUI	5 years (2 years)	Yes – at least 48 months	$5,500 and 2 years
Illicit drug present	12 months (6)	No	$3,300

The biggest change is that a second low range charge, which would never carry an interlock the first time, now does. Our penalty table page covers third and later offences.

Is the disqualification on each row automatic?

Yes. Section 205 applies the period the moment the magistrate records a conviction. The court can only move it within the band, down to the minimum in brackets or up beyond the automatic period. NSW has no work licence, so for someone commuting from Engadine or Cronulla it means no driving at all. Driving anyway is a new offence; see disqualified and suspended driving.

Why does 0.08 matter so much?

Because two things start there. Police can give you an immediate suspension notice under s 224 at the roadside, so you stop driving that night, months before any court date. And the interlock becomes compulsory under ss 209–211: after the disqualification you can only drive a car fitted with an approved device. The court can avoid the interlock only by an exemption order under s 212, and a longer disqualification then applies. Read the NSW interlock rules. A roadside suspension can be appealed under s 268, but only on exceptional circumstances; see suspension appeals.

Can you step off the ladder altogether?

Sometimes. A Sutherland magistrate can find the offence proved and dismiss it, or impose a conditional release order without conviction, under s 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act. With no conviction, nothing on the row applies: no fine, no disqualification and no interlock. This is discretionary and grows less likely on the higher rows. Under s 203 you cannot receive a second one for a major offence within five years. See when a no-conviction order can be argued.

Where a conviction is likely, the material that tends to place you lower within the band is the same: a completed traffic offenders program, references, an employer letter and any treatment records.

Do the top three rows ever start with a penalty notice?

No. Penalty notices are only for a first novice, special, low range or drug presence offence. They carry a fine and a 3-month suspension with no conviction, and count as an offence for five years. Mid range and above always go to court.

What if the reading is wrong?

Then the row may be wrong too. Breath analysis generally must be done within two hours of driving and in line with Schedule 3; the timing, the device and whether you were driving can all be examined. Our defending a PCA charge page and the NSW court process guide explain. For drug and other charges, see drug driving penalties and other traffic offences. The elements of each charge are on NSW drink driving offences.

What are Sutherland Local Court's details?

Cnr Flora and Belmont Streets, Sutherland NSW 2232. Postal PO Box 37, Sutherland NSW 2232. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 9542 0244. Registry 9am to 4.30pm; telephone 8.30am to 4.30pm; Monday to Friday. AVL facilities are in court room 4. Registry services for Kogarah have been provided from Sutherland since 30 September 2019. Sutherland station is a short walk; allow time for security screening.

Which courts are near Sutherland?

Bankstown drink driving matters – about 13 km north-west.
Burwood DUI charges – about 17 km north; the official list shows Burwood closed until 14 December 2026.
Liverpool Local Court – about 17 km west.

All locations: NSW courts we attend. Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

Watch: Case Review & Sentencing Insights for NSW Drink & Drug Driving

Our short court-focused videos explain what to expect on your first appearance, how sentencing works for drink and drug driving offences, and the practical steps we take to secure better outcomes in the Sutherland jurisdiction.

Boorman Lawyers – Sutherland DUI Lawyers

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Sutherland penalty FAQs

Which reading line puts me into mid range?

0.08. From there police can suspend on the spot and an interlock is compulsory.

Does a learner or P-plater fall on the same ladder?

Yes, but from the first line: any alcohol at all is a novice range offence.

Is a second low range offence treated like the first?

No. The disqualification doubles and an interlock order applies.

Can I get a work licence in NSW?

No.

Does section 10 remove the disqualification?

Yes. With no conviction, there is no automatic disqualification and no interlock.

What are Sutherland's registry hours?

9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 1300 679 272.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations S (Sutherland) and K (Kogarah) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – ss 9, 110–112, 203, 205, 209–212, 224, 268 — checked 20 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10 — checked 20 Oct 2026
NSW Government (Transport for NSW) – Drink and drug driving penalties — 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.

Sutherland Local Court — court details

Sutherland Local Court

Street: Cnr Flora and Belmont Streets, Sutherland NSW 2232
Postal: PO Box 37, Sutherland NSW 2232
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 court room 4

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – S (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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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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