QUEENSLAND

Richlands DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Richlands Magistrates Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Richlands Magistrates Court at the corner of Old Progress and Archerfield Roads lists section 87 work licence applications at 9am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but not Thursdays. We assist clients at Richlands Magistrates Court by appearing at court mentions, guilty pleas and sentencing hearings, preparing comprehensive sentencing submissions and character reference material, advising on compulsory licence disqualification periods and mandatory alcohol interlock rules under Queensland law, and preparing section 87 restricted work licence and special hardship order applications.

  • Court: Richlands Magistrates Court, corner Old Progress and Archerfield Roads, Richlands Qld 4077. Phone (07) 3565 4000. Closes at 4pm on Wednesdays.
  • Listings (2026 calendar): arrests, sentences, s 87 and s 131 applications at 9am in Court 1 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; no sittings on Thursdays.
  • Licence: disqualification on every conviction, and an interlock from 0.10.

Queensland law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Richlands Magistrates Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers
What's on this page

How do you get to and from Richlands court?

The court is at the corner of Old Progress and Archerfield Roads in Richlands, in Brisbane's south-west, near the Ipswich Motorway and the Logan Motorway. If your licence is suspended or you have been disqualified, you cannot drive there yourself, so plan the journey before your date.

  • Train: Richlands has a railway station on the Springfield line, and the court is a short trip from it.
  • Bus: Services run through Richlands and nearby Inala and Darra, but timetables change, so check Translink before the day.
  • A lift: ask someone with a licence to take you and bring you home. If you are disqualified at court, you cannot drive away.
  • Time: sentencing lists start at 9am, and the registry opens at 8.30am. Allow time to find the courtroom and speak to the duty lawyer if you want to.

If you drive for work or travel between several worksites, write down your route and hours now. That evidence helps if you apply for a work licence, and it shows the magistrate what a disqualification would mean for you.

When is your matter listed at Richlands?

The 2026 calendar for Richlands Magistrates Court sets out these arrangements:

What When Where
Arrests, remands, sentences, committals, s 87 and s 131 applications, removal of disqualifications 9am, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays Court 1
Hearings and long sentences 9am, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays Court 2
Transport Department complaints and special hardship applications 9am, set dates monthly; the remaining 2026 dates are 10 November and 8 December Court 2
Thursdays Youth justice and domestic violence; adult traffic matters are not listed –

The calendar also says an adult duty lawyer is available on each sitting day, and that any sentence expected to take longer than 15 minutes is given a special date and time, with schedules and other materials filed the day before. Bail undertakings and Notices to Appear are listed for 9am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays, and everyone must appear at the first mention. No matters are listed between 1 and 5 June or on public holidays. Check the Richlands 2026 calendar and the closure dates over summer with the registry.

What will it mean for your licence?

For a commuter in Brisbane's south-west, the licence is the big practical issue, so start with these points. They come from Queensland's Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (TORUM).

  1. Tonight and tomorrow. Under 0.10, police suspend your licence for 24 hours. From 0.10 up, after a refusal to provide a specimen, or if a drink driving charge was already pending, the suspension runs until the court finishes with the charge (s 79B).
  2. On the day of sentence. The magistrate has to disqualify you if you are convicted, and leaving the conviction unrecorded does not help with that (s 86). For a first offence the period runs from 2 to 9 months at 0.05 to under 0.10, from 3 to 9 months for learner and P-plate drivers over zero, from 3 to 12 months at 0.10 to under 0.15, and from 6 months upwards at 0.15 or above, for under the influence, or for failing to provide a specimen.
  3. The fine or jail ceiling. For a first offence, 20 penalty units ($3,454) or 3 months below 0.10, 28 units ($4,835) or 6 months from 0.10 to under 0.15, and 40 units ($6,908) or 9 months at the top level. A penalty unit has been $172.70 since 1 July 2026.
  4. Coming back. You hold a probationary licence for at least a year. Twelve months with an interlock is added for 0.10 and above, under-the-influence and failure-to-provide convictions, and any second offence inside 5 years (ss 91I and 91N).

Our QLD drink driving penalties guide covers repeat offences, our QLD alcohol interlock guide explains the device, and our Queensland drink driving offences guide describes each charge.

Can you drive to work during the disqualification?

Possibly, through a s 87 restricted licence, and at Richlands those applications sit in the Court 1 list. The order is off the table if, at the time, you were on a learner, P-plate or probationary licence, read 0.15 or more, were driving for work, or were driving a truck, tractor or bus. It is also unavailable if, in the last 5 years, you had a licence suspension, cancellation or disqualification, or a drink or drug driving conviction. Clear all of that and the court then weighs whether refusal would cause extreme hardship to your livelihood and whether you are fit and proper (TMR – restricted licence). Make the application after the finding of guilt but before any disqualification order. A restricted licence for a middle alcohol limit offence comes with the interlock condition (s 91K). See our DUI restricted work licence guide.

Special hardship applications have a separate monthly list, but they do not apply to a court-ordered drink driving disqualification. See our special hardship licence guide.

What should you bring to Old Progress Road?

  • A Traffic Offenders Program certificate, if you have one.
  • Signed references from people who know about the charge.
  • Employer and s 87 affidavit material, if you want a work licence.
  • A copy of your traffic history, and any GP or counsellor's letter.

If you dispute the charge, read our guide to Queensland drink driving defences first, and see the court process guide for each step.

Which courts are near Richlands?

Holland Park is about 13 km away, Brisbane about 16 km and Ipswich about 19 km. Attend the court named on your notice. For statewide information, see Queensland traffic law.

Video Insight – Preparing for Court

A short, practical clip on preparation and sentencing themes. Find more at BoormanLawyers.tv .

Boorman Lawyers – Richlands case insight (5 Dec 2016) This outcome was reported in December 2016. Queensland drink driving penalties changed for offences committed from 31 August 2026, so the penalties discussed here may not reflect current law.

Queensland penalty changes in 2026: check your offence date (law checked 20 Oct 2026).

Offences on or after 31 August 2026: higher maximum fines apply. They are 20 penalty units ($3,454) for the general alcohol limit and no alcohol limit offences, 28 ($4,835.60) for the middle alcohol limit and 40 ($6,908) for driving under the influence of liquor or a drug. A first general alcohol limit conviction (0.05 to under 0.10) on an open licence now carries 2 to 9 months' disqualification. For offences before 31 August 2026 it was 1 to 9 months. Police can now give an eligible first low-range driver on an open Queensland licence an infringement notice of $1,295 instead of a court charge. Unless the driver elects to go to court, a 2-month disqualification follows. It counts as a conviction, and there is no work licence for that period. Drug driving (a relevant drug present) has not changed yet. The maximum is 14 penalty units ($2,417.80) or 3 months, with 1 to 9 months' disqualification on an open licence and 3 to 9 months for learner, P-plate and unlicensed drivers.

Offences on or after 1 December 2026: minimum fines start for drink and drug driving. For example, the minimum is 7.5 penalty units for low range and for drug driving. The drug driving maximum rises to 28 penalty units, and a first offence on an open licence carries 2 to 9 months' disqualification. A new offence of driving with a relevant drug present while over an alcohol limit adds 1 month to the disqualification range.

An offence committed before a change is generally dealt with under the penalties in force when it happened. Sources: TORUM ss 78E, 79, 79B, 79H–79J and 86, as amended by the Queensland Community Safety Act 2024 and the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026. Penalty unit $172.70 from 1 July 2026.

Richlands drink driving FAQs

Does Richlands court sit on Thursdays?

Not for adult traffic matters. Under the 2026 calendar, Thursdays are for youth justice and domestic violence. Traffic matters and work licence applications go into the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday lists.

What is the phone number for Richlands court?

(07) 3565 4000, according to the Queensland Courts directory and the 2026 calendar.

Can I be sentenced on my first mention?

Yes, if you plead guilty and are ready. The calendar says sentences expected to run longer than 15 minutes are given a special date.

Is there a duty lawyer at Richlands?

The 2026 calendar says an adult duty lawyer is available on each sitting day. Ask the registry how to see them on the day.

What happens if I do not turn up?

Everyone must appear at the first mention, whether on a bail undertaking or a Notice to Appear. If you cannot attend, get advice before the date.

Richlands Magistrates Court — court details

Richlands Magistrates Court

Street
Cnr Old Progress and Archerfield Roads, Richlands QLD 4077
Postal
PO Box 39, Richlands Qld 4077
Phone
(07) 3565 4000
Email
courthouse.richlands@justice.qld.gov.au
Registry hours
8.30am – 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday · 8.30am – 4.00pm Wednesday
Days open
Criminal, s 87 and TORUM applications: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9am (Court 1)
➜ Get directions

Queensland Courts, Magistrates Courts directory (saved 19 Oct 2026) and Richlands Magistrates Court 2026 calendar (checked 20 Oct 2026). These are the court registry's details, not Boorman Lawyers office details. Check your court papers for your listing time and courtroom.

Enquire about legal representation

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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