What I am talking about is that since 1 March 1999, new laws have applied to drinking and driving and the penalties have been beefed up.
For instance, whereas on your first or second drink-driving offence you are likely to be fined or at worst, given some periodic detention, on your third conviction (including not supplying a blood sample) THEN the law says that you ought to go to prison.
You will hear of people who have appeared and not gone to prison, but these are likely to be people in some form of special category, such as both previous convictions were ten or more years ago, with no suggestion of an alcohol or driving problem, or no recent convictions and documentary evidence showing great effort being made to overcome alcohol dependence.
IN SHORT, if this is your second or third drink-driving offence, you should look at getting a lawyer to appear in Court for you.
Also, they cost around $900.00 all up, so aren't cheap. Some employers are willing to help out, and others not.
And remember that you can't get a limited licence to drive to and from work without a really good reason.
The only safe way to go is to avoid drinking and driving altogether, (Its amazing how often people simply miscalculate - Oh I thought I'd be ok at the time - I'd only had a few beers.)
AND if you do get caught, get a lawyer so as to ensure that the Judge gives you the minimum disqualification.
NOTE The above is only about New Zealand Law, and does not apply outside New Zealand.
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