posted 10-07-2001 02:19            

His only "fine" was to donate $600 to charity, and his license was not endorsed with any demerit points.

This prompts me to ask the obvious question - are there in fact two sets of laws in operation here - one for us plebs, and another for those "at the top"? Why should a public figure receive preferential treatment; is $600 really going to make a millionaire stop and think next time - I don't think so!

But, hey, hey, that's the breaks!

posted 10-07-2001 05:21            

If that is not the case, then we all now have a precedent case for ANY driving conviction...

Do something for the community and receive No Conviction Recorded (hence, the next time it will be seen as a 'first offence') and no points against the licence.

I'd hate to be a judge now... and I will be appealing all Victorian violoations I make once I get my licence back, if I violoate anything, that is

posted 10-07-2001 09:13            

If there are aggravating circumstances to an offence, then you might not be so lucky.

NSW appears to be a completely different story. If I'm not mistaken, you can keep your licence there with a BAC reading of .15%. In Victoria, that equates to a minimum 15 Month licence cancellation, or if you have a prior drink drive conviction in the last 10 years, 30 Months.

posted 10-07-2001 11:25            

On the spot licence disqualification
6 months mimumum loss of licence
$2200 fine (first offence 0.08 to 0.15)

posted 10-07-2001 15:59            

It's survival of the fitest so keep ducking and weaving.

It's only a lurk if you aint in it!!

posted 10-07-2001 16:23            

quote:

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Originally posted by grinder:
It must be so hard to be humble, when your perfect in every way

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posted 10-07-2001 17:34            

quote:

---

Originally posted by exghost1:
Mack Davis, song writer and singer. Good song.

---

I bet you sing the song every morning while looking in the mirror

posted 10-07-2001 20:44            

But he said it does help if you have an eloquent solicitor to present your case in court.

posted 10-07-2001 21:26            

quote:

---

s.50(1AB) If a court finds a person guilty of an offence under section 49(1)(b), (f) or (g) but does not record a conviction, the court is not required to cancel a driver licence or permit or disqualify the offender from obtaining one in accordance with sub-section (1A) if it appears to the court that at the relevant time the concentration of alcohol in the blood of the offender--

(a) in the case of a person previously found guilty of an offence against any one of the paragraphs of section 49(1) or any previous enactment corresponding to any of those paragraphs or any corresponding law, was less than 0·05 grams per 100 millilitres of blood; or

(b) in any other case, was less than 0·10 grams per 100 millilitres of blood.

---

(a) refers to those persons required to have a zero blood alcohol condition on their licence, while (b) refers to full licenced drivers.

All the drink-driving rules are set out between sections 47 & 58. The licence cancellation periods are set out in Schedule 1 of the Act.

Just because the press chooses to report this case, doesn't mean anything different was handed out other than what is available to you, me or Joe Bloggs down the road

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No life at all in the house of dolls. No love lost

posted 11-07-2001 00:36            

In his defence, Somers' lawyer said that his client should be shown some "indulgence" due to his service to the community by way of his career in the television industry.

What a shame the court didn't feel the same "idulgence" when I was fined $135 plus 1 demerit point for doing 7kp/h over the limit (whilst completely sober).

Then again, I've never been on TV; I've just worked hard and paid taxes for 40 years!

posted 11-07-2001 10:18            

On both occasions I felt sure it was a done deal before we even got into court.

I beleive it's some kind of "Old Boys Club", where the personality and status of the person representing you play a big part in the outcome.

The Bigger the Bucks the Bigger you Look.

posted 11-07-2001 21:19            

If you blew .098% and had no prior convictions, would you ask the court to exercise its discretion, so you could keep your licence?

/me thinks the answer would be yes

posted 11-07-2001 22:51            

But then the magistrate would say, "Why should I? You're not someone famous who (by default) will get my name plastered all over the media!"

Even magistrates are career builders!

posted 12-07-2001 19:53            

My former Wife who had a perfect driving record ( up till then ) got done for going 0.12 and fined $300.00 with six months suspension twenty years ago.