NEW SOUTH WALES

Wollongong DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Wollongong Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Wollongong Local Court, on the corner of Church and Market Streets, hears Illawarra drink and drug driving charges Monday to Friday. We assist clients at Wollongong 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: Wollongong Local Court, Cnr Church and Market Streets, Wollongong NSW 2500. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post: PO Box 5395, Wollongong NSW 2500.
Limits on the court: s 205 disqualification is automatic on conviction; interlock is compulsory from mid range; there is no work licence.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

What's on this page

What will the Wollongong magistrate ask on a guilty plea?

Five things, in substance: how serious the offence was, who you are, what you have done since, what losing your licence will mean, and how likely it is to happen again. The checklist below sorts what to prepare under each. Before using it, know the limits: if a conviction is recorded, s 205 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) disqualifies you automatically, and from mid range an interlock follows. Preparation affects where you land within those rules, and whether a conviction is recorded at all.

Question 1: How serious was this offence?

The magistrate starts with the objective facts: the reading or drug, the licence you held, how you were driving, how far, and why.

[ ] Your court attendance notice – check the charge and the reading.
[ ] The police facts sheet – read it closely; mark anything you dispute.
[ ] A short note of where you were driving from and to, and why (for example, a short trip in Corrimal, or a run down Mount Ousley).
[ ] Your traffic record from Service NSW and your criminal record, if any.

The rule behind it: penalties rise at each line. For a first offence:

Charge	Fine ceiling	Prison ceiling	Disqualification: automatic / minimum	Interlock
Novice (L, P, unlicensed, any alcohol), special (0.02+), low (0.05+), drug present	$2,200	–	6 / 3 months	–
Mid (0.08+)	$2,200	9 months	6 / 3 months	12 months or more
High (0.15+), DUI, refusal	$3,300	18 months	12 / 6 months	24 months or more

If you think the facts are wrong or the testing was flawed, stop here and read PCA defences before pleading. Breath analysis generally must be within two hours of driving under Schedule 3, and a positive drug screen needs confirmatory analysis.

Question 2: Who are you?

The court wants to know the person, not just the charge.

[ ] Two or three character references, signed and dated, from people who know you well. Each should say they know about the charge.
[ ] Evidence of work, study or volunteering – an employer letter, a University of Wollongong enrolment, a club role.
[ ] Anything showing your driving history before this (years licensed, clean record).

The rule behind it: good character goes to penalty, and to whether the court considers a non-conviction order under s 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW). That order is discretionary and becomes less likely as the reading rises.

Question 3: What have you done since?

[ ] Certificate from a recognised traffic offenders program.
[ ] GP or counsellor letter, if alcohol or drug use was part of the story.
[ ] A handwritten or typed apology letter to the court, in your own words.
[ ] Any testing or abstinence records, if relevant.

The rule behind it: these go to remorse and rehabilitation. They do not override s 205 if you are convicted. See when s 10 may be argued. Note that s 203 bars a second s 10 for a major offence within five years.

Question 4: What will losing your licence mean?

[ ] Employer letter stating your duties, hours, whether driving is part of the job, and what happens if you cannot drive.
[ ] Evidence of caring duties – school runs, a family member's appointments.
[ ] Your written transport plan: the South Coast Line, buses, lifts, shift changes.

The rule behind it: hardship can move the length of a disqualification within the band, but NSW has no work licence, so it cannot keep you driving. If police suspended you on the spot under s 224, you may already be off the road; a s 268 appeal needs exceptional circumstances. See suspension appeals. Driving while disqualified is a separate charge (disqualified driving).

Question 5: Will it happen again?

[ ] Program certificate and any treatment evidence (from Question 3).
[ ] A short statement of what you have changed – how you get home after a night out in the city, for example.
[ ] If an interlock applies, evidence you understand the program.

The rule behind it: for mid range, high range, DUI and refusal, and every second offence within five years (s 9), ss 209–211 require an interlock after the disqualification: at least 12 months for mid range, 24 months for high range. Only a s 212 exemption avoids it, with a longer disqualification instead. See the NSW interlock rules and second-offence figures on NSW penalties.

Does the checklist change for drug driving?

The questions are the same; the law differs. Presence of THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine is an offence under s 111 with no need to prove impairment. A first offence carries a 6-month automatic disqualification (minimum 3) and no interlock, or may be dealt with by a penalty notice: a fine and a 3-month suspension without a conviction. Driving under the influence of a drug (s 112) is treated like high range. See drug driving penalties.

What should you bring on the day?

[ ] Two printed copies of every document above, plus your ID.
[ ] Your court attendance notice.
[ ] Arrive by 9.30am, go through security, and find your matter on the list.

The court process guide explains how the mention and sentence run. Other driving charges are covered on other traffic offences, and the elements of each charge on NSW drink driving offences.

What are Wollongong Local Court's details?

Cnr Church and Market Streets, Wollongong NSW 2500. Postal PO Box 5395, Wollongong NSW 2500. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 4223 3633. Registry 9am to 4.30pm; telephone 8.30am to 4.30pm; Monday to Friday. The official list names it "Wollongong Local and District". AVL facilities are available. Wollongong station and city buses are within reach. Some southern Illawarra matters are listed at Port Kembla Local Court, Darcy Road.

Which courts are near Wollongong?

Kiama drink driving matters – about 27 km south.
Picton Local Court – about 38 km north-west.
Campbelltown DUI charges – about 40 km north.

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

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Wollongong preparation FAQs

How many references should I bring?

Two or three good ones, signed and dated, that mention the charge.

Does a traffic offenders program avoid disqualification?

No. It goes to penalty and to whether s 10 is considered, but a conviction still brings automatic disqualification.

Can my job be taken into account?

Yes, for penalty and the length of disqualification, but NSW has no work licence.

Is an interlock compulsory for a first mid range?

Yes, unless an exemption order is made.

What is the correct postal address for the court?

PO Box 5395, Wollongong NSW 2500.

What are the 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 W (Wollongong Local and District) and P (Port Kembla) — 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.

Wollongong Local Court — court details

Wollongong Local Court

Street: Cnr Church and Market Streets, Wollongong NSW 2500
Postal: PO Box 5395, Wollongong NSW 2500
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 available

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – W (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

Choose your NSW traffic law topicNSW

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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