Our client is a 26 year medical science student, with a part time job dropping-off medical supplies to various locations.
He has a wife and young child.
He was detected by police driving at a speed greater than 45 km/h, being 162km/h in an 80km/h zone (ie 82km/h over the speed limit).
Police pulled him over and issued him with a police suspension notice for a period of 6 months.
Despite having a number of other driving offences on his record, our client was adamant that he wished to appeal the suspension.
We assisted him to prepare a range of materials, including character references and a letter of apology – which outlined his need for a licence for work and family commitments, including taking his elderly parents to medical appointments.
The test to lift or vary an immediate police suspension is onerous, requiring the demonstration of ‘exceptional circumstances’.
However, after making extensive verbal submissions to the presiding magistrate in Downing Centre Local Court, Her Honour saw fit to reduce the suspension from 6 months to 1 month – which was backdated to the time of the suspension.
This meant he could immediately reapply for his licence and meet his personal and employment obligations.