Louis Dean of our office represented a client faced with six charges following a drag race in an inner Melbourne street. The charges included Reckless Conduct Endangering Life and Reckless Conduct Endangering Serious Injury. The client was travelling more than 45km/h over the speed limit. He then lost control of the vehicle and had a high-speed crash that caused extensive damage to the vehicle.
Reckless Conduct Endangering Life is a serious indictable charge. It carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Reckless Conduct Endangering Serious Injury carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.
After we negotiated with the prosecution about the charge and degree of danger, the prosecution withdrew five of the six charges against our client. In the end, our client pleaded guilty to a single charge of Dangerous Driving, which is a summary offence not an indictable offence.
Mr Dean talked to the court about our client’s background. He referred to his high level of education, positive work history, lack of similar prior or subsequent offending and prior good character. The presiding magistrate took these matters into account and accepted them. The magistrate then withheld a conviction and finally imposed a fine for the single charge.
This was an excellent outcome for the client. It meant that he avoided a conviction, and kept his prospects of future travel and employment.
Serious driving offences – Slades and Parsons have the experience you need
If police charge you with a serious driving offence, a close analysis of the brief is critical. This is because in many instances, serious charges do not appropriately reflect the driving conduct. Often, a less serious offence can most appropriately represent the driving conduct.
Having legal representatives who are experienced in these matters will put you in the best place to secure withdrawal of more serious charges. This can then have a significant effect on the type of sentence the court is likely to give you.