Refusing or Failing to Provide a Blood or Oral Fluid Sample is an offence under Clause 17, Schedule 3 of the Road Transport Act 2013.
To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you refused or failed, when medically able to give a sample, to:
- Submit to the taking of a blood sample, or
- Provide an oral fluid sample
If it is your first major traffic offence in 5 years the maximum penalty for refusing or failing to provide a blood sample is:
- 18 months in prison
- A 9 month licence disqualification which can be reduced to 6 months, followed by
- 2 years of driving with an interlock device installed to your vehicle, and
- A fine of $3,300
Alternatively, the court can ‘exempt’ you from the interlock requirement and impose up to:
- 18 months in prison
- A 3 year licence disqualification which can be reduced to 12 months, and
- A fine of $3,300
If it is your second or more major traffic offence in the past 5 years the maximum penalty is:
- 2 years in prison
- 2A 12 month licence disqualification
Which can be reduced to 9 months, Followed by
- 4 years of driving with an interlock device installed to your vehicle, and
- A fine of $5,500
Alternatively, the court can exempt you from the interlock requirement and impose up to:
- 2 years in prison
- A 5 year licence disqualification which can be reduced to 2 years, and
- A fine of $5,500
However, there will be no criminal record, licence disqualification or fine where the court deals with you by way of:
- A Section 10(1)(a) dismissal, or
- A Conditional release order without a conviction
You are not guilty of the offence if you are able to persuade the court that you were unable to comply due to a medical condition.
If you require the services of a traffic defence team that specialises in representing clients for cases under the Road Transport Act, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers today on (02) 9261 8881 to arrange a consultation.
Our team is vastly experienced in advising and representing clients in traffic law cases, and will fight to ensure you achieve the optimal result in the circumstances.
We offer fixed fees for all traffic cases, and a free first conference for those who are going to court.