QLD & NSW

How to Choose a DUI Lawyer

In shortChoosing a traffic lawyer matters because decisions before court can affect your licence, record and work. Look for knowledge of the law in your state, court experience, careful preparation, honest advice, clear costs disclosure and clarity about who will handle your matter. This page explains each and how we approach them.

  • Know your state: Queensland and NSW traffic law differ, so choose a lawyer who handles matters in the state where you were charged.
  • Honest advice: no lawyer can promise an outcome; expect a realistic range of outcomes.
  • Clear costs: lawyers must give costs disclosure under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) or Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld).

Queensland and New South Wales law · law checked 21 Oct 2026

What's on this page

Choosing a traffic lawyer

When you are facing a drink driving, drug driving or other traffic charge, the decisions made before court can affect your licence, whether a conviction is recorded, and your work. You may never have engaged a lawyer before, or you may be unsure what to look for. This page sets out the things worth considering, whoever you choose, and how we approach them.

The Magistrate's decision affects your licence, your record, your employment and your future. Choose representation that treats it with the seriousness it deserves.

Six things to consider

Knowledge of the relevant law

Traffic law is detailed and differs between states. Penalties, disqualification periods, work licences, interlocks and no conviction orders work very differently in Queensland and New South Wales. Ask whether the lawyer regularly handles traffic matters in the state where you were charged.

Experience in court

A lawyer who appears regularly in the Local Court or Magistrates Court is familiar with the procedure, the material courts usually expect, and the problems that can arise, such as procedural complications, unexpected questions from the bench, or late evidence.

Preparation

Good preparation means identifying the evidence and documents that are relevant to your case, whether a traffic offenders program or treatment would help, and which issues to emphasise. Ask how the lawyer will prepare your matter and what you will need to do.

Communication and honesty

You should receive clear, realistic advice about the likely range of outcomes, not promises. Be cautious of any lawyer who promises a particular result.

Clear costs

You are entitled to clear information about costs before work starts. Lawyers must give costs disclosure under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) or the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld). Ask for an estimate in writing and what it includes.

Who will handle your matter

Ask who will advise you and who will appear for you in court, and how you can contact them.

How we approach your matter

A focus on criminal and traffic law

Our practice focuses on criminal and traffic law in Queensland and New South Wales. We keep the two states separate, because the law, the courts and the options are different.

Court experience

Our lawyers appear regularly in Local Courts and Magistrates Courts on traffic matters. That experience helps us anticipate issues and prepare material that addresses what the court needs to decide.

Preparation for court

We advise you on the evidence and documents that are relevant to your case, such as references, hardship evidence and program certificates, and on whether education courses or treatment may be appropriate, both for you personally and to show the court that you take the matter seriously. We discuss which issues to raise and how to present them.

Honest advice

We know that engaging a lawyer usually happens at a stressful, emotional and uncertain time. We aim to make sure you understand your situation and the realistic range of outcomes. We will not promise outcomes that cannot be promised. We are realistic and honest with clients and with courts.

Costs

Costs are a major consideration when choosing a lawyer, and many people worry about receiving a large bill they did not expect. Before you incur costs, we discuss our fees with you and give you the costs disclosure required by law. See costs for how our costs work.

Contact with your lawyer

We aim to have the lawyer who advises you also handle your matter in court, and to keep you informed as your matter progresses.

FAQs: choosing a DUI lawyer

Why use a lawyer who focuses on traffic law rather than a general practice lawyer?

A lawyer who regularly handles traffic matters is likely to be familiar with the relevant legislation, the sentencing principles and the court procedure. That familiarity can help in identifying issues and preparing your material. Whoever you choose, ask about their experience with traffic matters in your state.

How much experience does Boorman Lawyers have with traffic matters?

Our criminal and traffic lawyers have appeared in many traffic matters in Queensland and New South Wales. Ask us about our experience with matters like yours when you contact us.

What makes Boorman Lawyers different?

We focus on criminal and traffic law, we keep Queensland and New South Wales law separate, and we aim to give you direct contact with the lawyer handling your matter and honest advice about your prospects.

Will I be able to speak directly with the lawyer handling my case?

Yes. We aim to have the lawyer who advises you handle your matter through to court, so the person who knows your case is the one appearing for you.

How do your costs work?

We discuss costs with you before you incur them and provide the costs disclosure required by the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) or the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld). See costs.

What should I expect to pay for representation on a DUI matter?

It depends on the charge, the court, whether you plead guilty or defend the charge, and how much preparation is needed. Ask any lawyer for a written estimate and what it covers, and compare like with like.

Will you promise me a specific outcome?

No. No lawyer can promise an outcome, and you should be cautious of any who does. We will tell you the realistic range of outcomes based on the facts.

How do you prepare my case?

We review the police material, identify any procedural issues or defences, advise you on the evidence and documents that are relevant, and prepare submissions about you and your circumstances for the court.

Do you appear in court regularly?

Yes. Our lawyers appear regularly in Local Courts and Magistrates Courts on traffic and criminal matters.

What happens when I first contact you?

We discuss your situation, explain the court process, what material may help, and what the court will be considering, and we explain our costs. You will come away understanding where you stand and what your options are.

Can you help me decide whether to plead guilty or contest the charge?

Yes. We review the evidence, identify any procedural issues or defences, and advise whether contesting the charge is realistic. An early guilty plea can reduce the sentence, but in some cases there is a genuine defence. The decision is yours, made on advice.

How will you communicate with me during my matter?

We keep you informed as your matter progresses and when decisions need to be made, and you can contact the lawyer handling your matter.

What should I consider when choosing a DUI lawyer?

Knowledge of the law in your state, court experience, preparation, honest communication, clear costs disclosure and who will handle your matter.

Are Boorman Lawyers able to act in both Queensland and New South Wales?

Yes. We act in traffic and criminal matters in Queensland and New South Wales courts. Use our Queensland traffic law and NSW traffic law guides for the law in each state.

Ready to discuss your matter?

Get advice before your court date about your options and what the court will consider.

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

Sources and date checked

Sources and references for this page, checked 21 Oct 2026.

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

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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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