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The whole idea in one picture
A PCA charge stands on the number alone. How you felt or how you drove doesn't come into it — and the band your reading falls into sets the penalty.
Your reading is sorted into a band, and the band drives the penalty. (Most states use these figures.)
It usually begins with a breath test — at a random stop, or after an incident:
For a contested matter, the prosecution has to establish three things:
Penalties where you are
Plus a licence disqualification of 3 years or more. Under the Road Transport Act.
Because a PCA charge stands on the reading, most defences challenge that reading or how it was taken:
The breath or blood analysis was unreliable.
You drank after you'd finished driving, not before.
Your reading was lower while driving than when tested later.
You were in the car but not operating it.
Even on a reading, the testing, the timing, and a possible non-conviction are all worth advice — especially before you plead. We can point you to traffic lawyers in your state.
Read this first
This page explains how these charges generally work — it can't tell you what will happen in your case. Limits, ranges, penalties and disqualification periods vary by state and territory. If you've been charged, talk to a traffic lawyer before your court date — especially before entering a plea.
