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Melbourne Criminal Defence Lawyers
Defence for drink driving, drug driving, licence offences, dangerous driving, and all traffic charges across Melbourne and Victoria. Get urgent advice before a police interview or court date.
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Years Criminal Defence Experience
Lauren Tye Legal defends clients charged with drink driving, drug driving, licence offences, careless driving, dangerous driving, refusal offences, and serious traffic matters in Victorian courts.
Lauren Tye appears regularly in Victorian courts in traffic and driving cases involving licence loss, criminal record risks, disputed evidence, and potential imprisonment. She is admitted to practise in Victoria and South Australia.
Lauren Tye Legal defends clients charged with traffic and driving offences in Victorian courts, including drink driving, drug driving, licence offences, careless driving, dangerous driving, refusal offences, and serious indictable driving charges.
Drink driving, drug driving, DUI, exceed PCA, and combined drink-and-drug charges under s 49 of the Road Safety Act 1986, including matters involving licence cancellation, interlock conditions, fines, and imprisonment risks.
Dangerous driving, negligent driving, excessive speed, and serious road-risk allegations involving danger, injury, licence consequences, or potential imprisonment.
Refusing a breath test, evidentiary breath test, oral fluid test, blood test, or urine sample, including offences with serious licence and penalty consequences.
Careless driving, improper use of a motor vehicle, collision-related allegations, rear-end collisions, failure to give way, and other common traffic offences.
Driving while unlicensed, suspended, or disqualified under the Road Safety Act 1986, including repeat or aggravated allegations
Culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing serious injury, and fail-to-stop offences involving injury or death.
Maximum penalties under Victorian law. Lauren Tye regularly achieves outcomes well below these maximums through careful preparation and strategic advocacy. Contact Lauren for advice specific to your charge.
| Charge | Legislation | Mandatory Licence Loss | Max Penalty | Typical Court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRINK AND DRUG DRIVING OFFENCES | ||||
| Driving Under the Influence | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(a) | 2 yrs (first); 4 yrs (subseq) | 25 PU / 3 mths (first); 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Drink Driving — Low Range | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(b) | 6–14 months (varies by BAC) | 20 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Drink Driving — High Range | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(f) | 15–48 months (varies by BAC) | 20 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Exceed PCA | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(g) | 6–48 months (varies by BAC) | 20 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Drug Driving | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(ba) | 6 months (first); 12 months (subseq) | 12 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Combined Drink & Drug | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(bc) | 12 months minimum (first) | 30 PU (first); up to 270 PU / 18 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Refuse Breath/Blood/Fluid Test | Road Safety Act s 49(1)(c)(d)(e) | 2 yrs (first); 4 yrs (subseq) | Varies — up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subsequent) | Magistrates' |
| DRIVING AND TRAFFIC OFFENCES | ||||
| Careless Driving | Road Safety Act s 65(1) | Discretionary | 12 PU (first); 25 PU (subsequent) | Magistrates' |
| Improper Use of Motor Vehicle | Road Safety Act s 65A | Discretionary | 5 penalty units | Magistrates' |
| Dangerous Driving | Road Safety Act s 64(2) | 6 mths (12 mths if 45km/h+ over) | 240 PU or 2 yrs; min. 6-mth licence loss | Magistrates' |
| Driving While Suspended/Disqualified | Road Safety Act s 30 | Court Discretion (often 6 mths+) | 240 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment | Magistrates' |
| Driving While Suspended (Fines Reform) | Road Safety Act s 30AA | None (administrative focus) | 10 penalty units | Magistrates' |
| Unlicensed Driving | Road Safety Act s 18(1A) | Discretionary | 60 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment | Magistrates' |
| Refuse to Stop (Police Direction) | Road Safety Act s 64A | 6 months minimum | 60 PU / 6 mths (first); 120 PU / 12 mths (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Negligent Driving (Serious Injury) | Road Safety Act s 65 | Discretionary | 12 months imprisonment (Note: See s 64) | Magistrates' |
| Fail to Stop — Property Damage | Road Safety Act s 61 | Discretionary | 5 PU / 14 days (first); 10 PU / 1 month (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Fail to Stop — Person Injured | Road Safety Act s 61 | Discretionary | 80 PU / 8 mths (first); 240 PU / 2 yrs (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Fail to Report — Person Injured | Road Safety Act s 61 | Discretionary | 80 PU / 8 mths (first); 240 PU / 2 yrs (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Fail to Report — Property Damage | Road Safety Act s 61 | Discretionary | 5 PU / 14 days (first); 10 PU / 1 month (subseq) | Magistrates' |
| Failure to Nominate Driver | Road Safety Act s 60 | Discretionary | 20 PU or 4 months (serious); 20 PU or 2 months | Magistrates' |
| Bypass/Interfere with Interlock | Road Safety Act s 50AAK | Cancellation of Interlock Trial | Penalties as prescribed under the Act | Magistrates' |
| SERIOUS AND INDICTABLE DRIVING CHARGES | ||||
| Fail to Stop — Death/Serious Injury | Road Safety Act s 61(3) | 2 yrs (non-conv); 4 yrs (conv) | 10 years imprisonment (indictable) | County Court |
| Fail to Render Assistance | Road Safety Act s 61(3) | 2 yrs (non-conv); 4 yrs (conv) | 10 years imprisonment (indictable) | County Court |
| Dangerous Driving (Serious Injury) | Crimes Act s 319(1A) | 18 months minimum | 5 years imprisonment | County Court |
| Dangerous Driving (Death) | Crimes Act s 319(1) | 18 months minimum | 10 years imprisonment | County Court |
| Dangerous/Negligent (Police Pursuit) | Crimes Act s 319AA | 2 years minimum | 3 years imprisonment | Magistrates' |
| Culpable Driving Causing Death | Crimes Act s 318 | Minimum 2 years (usually 5+) | 20 years imprisonment | County/Supreme |
| OTHER VEHICLE OFFENCES | ||||
| Fraudulent Use of Documents/ID | Road Safety Act s 72 | Discretionary | 10 PU or 2 months; 60 PU or 6 months (ID) | Magistrates' |
| Alter/Deface/Place Engine Number | Road Safety Act s 73 | Discretionary | 10 penalty units or 2 months imprisonment | Magistrates' |
| Tampering With Motor Vehicle | Road Safety Act s 70(1) | Discretionary | 2 PU / 14 days; 25 PU (specific equipment) | Magistrates' |
| Obstruct Road Safety Camera | Road Safety Act s 73A | Discretionary | 60 penalty units | Magistrates' |
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(a)
2 yrs (first); 4 yrs (subseq)
25 PU / 3 mths (first); 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(b)
6–14 months (varies by BAC)
20 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(f)
15–48 months (varies by BAC)
20 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(g)
6–48 months (varies by BAC)
20 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(ba)
6 months (first); 12 months (subseq)
12 PU (first); up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(bc)
12 months minimum (first)
30 PU (first); up to 270 PU / 18 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 49(1)(c)(d)(e)
2 yrs (first); 4 yrs (subseq)
Varies — up to 180 PU / 18 mths (subsequent)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 65(1)
Discretionary
12 PU (first); 25 PU (subsequent)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 65A
Discretionary
5 penalty units
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 64(2)
6 mths (12 mths if 45km/h+ over)
240 PU or 2 yrs; min. 6-mth licence loss
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 30
Court Discretion (often 6 mths+)
240 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 30AA
None (administrative focus)
10 penalty units
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 18(1A)
Discretionary
60 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 64A
6 months minimum
60 PU / 6 mths (first); 120 PU / 12 mths (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 65
Discretionary
12 months imprisonment (Note: See s 64)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 61
Discretionary
5 PU / 14 days (first); 10 PU / 1 month (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 61
Discretionary
80 PU / 8 mths (first); 240 PU / 2 yrs (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 61
Discretionary
80 PU / 8 mths (first); 240 PU / 2 yrs (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 61
Discretionary
5 PU / 14 days (first); 10 PU / 1 month (subseq)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 60
Discretionary
20 PU or 4 months (serious); 20 PU or 2 months
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 50AAK
Cancellation of Interlock Trial
Penalties as prescribed under the Act
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 61(3)
2 yrs (non-conv); 4 yrs (conv)
10 years imprisonment (indictable)
County Court
Road Safety Act s 61(3)
2 yrs (non-conv); 4 yrs (conv)
10 years imprisonment (indictable)
County Court
Crimes Act s 319(1A)
18 months minimum
5 years imprisonment
County Court
Crimes Act s 319(1)
18 months minimum
10 years imprisonment
County Court
Crimes Act s 319AA
2 years minimum
3 years imprisonment
Magistrates'
Crimes Act s 318
Minimum 2 years (usually 5+)
20 years imprisonment
County/Supreme
Road Safety Act s 72
Discretionary
10 PU or 2 months; 60 PU or 6 months (ID)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 73
Discretionary
10 penalty units or 2 months imprisonment
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 70(1)
Discretionary
2 PU / 14 days; 25 PU (specific equipment)
Magistrates'
Road Safety Act s 73A
Discretionary
60 penalty units
Magistrates'
Driving 25 km/h or more over the speed limit, or at 130 km/h or more, may result in mandatory licence suspension or disqualification under the Road Safety Act 1986. Vehicle impoundment, immobilisation, or forfeiture may also apply.
The penalties above are legislative maximums and general licence consequences at the date of publication. Actual outcomes depend on the charge, BAC or drug allegation, prior history, evidence, plea, mitigation, and court discretion. For 2025–26, one Victorian penalty unit is $203.51.
This information is general only and is not legal advice. Contact Lauren Tye for advice about your charge, likely penalty, licence consequences, and court options.
How Lauren Tye has defended real clients facing traffic charges in Victorian courts.
Our client was charged with serious traffic offences after an incident on a major Melbourne road. Police alleged dangerous driving and failing to stop, with the matter listed for a contested hearing at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. If convicted, our client faced imprisonment, a lengthy licence disqualification, and a permanent criminal record.
Lauren Tye obtained the full police brief and conducted a detailed review of every piece of evidence — including CCTV footage, witness statements, and the police informant’s notes. Lauren identified critical inconsistencies between the CCTV evidence and the version of events outlined in the witness statements. She prepared written submissions to the prosecution highlighting these evidentiary issues and arguing that the charges could not be sustained.
Following Lauren’s representations, the prosecution agreed to withdraw all charges prior to the hearing date. Our client walked away with no conviction, no penalty, and no criminal record. This case demonstrates the value of thorough evidence review and early, strategic engagement with the prosecution.
Our client, a professional with no prior criminal history, was charged with mid-range drink driving after returning a BAC of 0.102 at a random breath test in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. They faced a mandatory licence cancellation of at least 12 months, a potential criminal conviction, and the installation of an alcohol interlock device — consequences that would have severely impacted their career and family responsibilities.
Lauren Tye personally reviewed the police brief, identified mitigating circumstances, and prepared a comprehensive plea submission for Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The submission included character references, evidence of our client’s immediate steps toward rehabilitation, and a detailed outline of the exceptional hardship a standard penalty would cause.
The Magistrate accepted Lauren’s submissions in full. Our client received a significantly reduced licence cancellation period, avoided a conviction being recorded, and was able to continue working without interruption. The outcome reflected the careful preparation and strategic advocacy that Lauren brings to every drink driving matter.
Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
If you have been charged with assault or a violence offence in Victoria, what you do before a police interview or first court date can affect your criminal record, your bail, and the outcome of your case. These are the first steps Lauren Tye recommends.
You have the right to silence and the right to speak with a lawyer. Anything you say may be used as evidence.
A lawyer can advise whether the charge should be adjourned, negotiated, contested, or resolved by plea.
Early legal advice can help you avoid unnecessary admissions, protect your licence, and prepare properly for court. For urgent traffic offence advice in Victoria, contact Lauren Tye on 0451 877 714
Traffic and driving charges in Victoria are criminal offences — not just infringements. A conviction for drink driving, dangerous driving, or even careless driving can result in a criminal record, licence disqualification, and imprisonment. General practitioners and traffic law firms often lack the criminal court experience needed to mount an effective defence.
Police issue a charge notice or arrest you for a traffic or driving offence. You may receive a court date or summons. This is often stressful and confusing — but it is the starting point for building your defence.
Contact Lauren Tye Legal immediately for urgent advice. We're available around the clock — including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Lauren personally reviews your charge, the evidence, and the police brief. She builds a tailored defence strategy based on the specifics of your case.
Lauren appears with you at Melbourne Magistrates' Court, the County Court, or whichever jurisdiction your matter is listed in. Strong, strategic advocacy at every appearance.
Lauren fights for the best possible result — whether that's charges withdrawn, penalties reduced, a licence saved, or a conviction avoided.
Available 24/7 including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
All enquiries are strictly confidential.
Direct access to your lawyer, not a call centre or junior associate.
Call Lauren directly on nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Melbourne Magistrates' Court, County Court, Supreme Court, and regional Victoria.
Your initial consultation is free. All enquiries are strictly confidential.
Immediately. What you do in the first 24 to 48 hours after being charged can significantly affect the outcome. Do not attend a police interview, enter a plea, or appear in court without legal advice. Lauren Tye is available 24/7 on 0451 877 714 for urgent matters including arrests, police interviews, and first court appearances.
Lauren Tye Legal provides experienced criminal defence representation for all traffic and driving charges across Melbourne. Lauren Tye personally handles every case — from the initial consultation through to the final court appearance. We represent clients in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Moorabbin Justice Centre, Broadmeadows, Ringwood, Dandenong, and all other Victorian courts. Whether you’re facing a first-offence drink driving charge or a serious dangerous driving allegation, Lauren prepares a tailored defence strategy focused on protecting your licence, your record, and your livelihood. Initial consultations are free and confidential.
Do not attend a police interview for a driving offence without first speaking to a criminal defence lawyer. You have the right to legal advice before answering any questions. Contact Lauren Tye Legal immediately — we offer 24/7 urgent advice and can advise you on your rights, what to say, and what not to say before any police interview. In many traffic matters, the outcome of a police interview directly affects whether charges are laid or what charges are pursued. Getting early legal advice from Lauren can significantly influence the direction of your case.
Yes. While Lauren Tye Legal is based in Melbourne at 456 Lonsdale Street (Clarence Chambers), Lauren regularly appears in Magistrates’ Courts across regional Victoria, including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and the Latrobe Valley. For serious matters listed in the County Court or Supreme Court, Lauren represents clients regardless of where the offence occurred in Victoria. If you’re facing traffic charges outside Melbourne, contact us to discuss representation in your local court.
This information is general only and not legal advice. If you need advice about your situation, contact Lauren directly.
Most traffic and driving charges in Victoria are heard in the Magistrates’ Court, usually near where the alleged offence occurred. This includes drink driving, drug driving, careless driving, unlicensed driving, suspended driving, and refusal offences.
More serious charges, such as dangerous driving causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing death, and culpable driving causing death, may proceed in the County Court or Supreme Court of Victoria. Lauren Tye appears in Magistrates’ Courts across Melbourne and regional Victoria, and in higher courts for serious driving matters.
