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Onah Attorneys Inc • Johannesburg
Drunk Driving Attorneys – Defend the Charge, Protect Your Licence
A drunk driving conviction carries a criminal record, potential imprisonment and devastating career consequences — but a DUI charge is one of the most technically defensible prosecutions in South African law. Blood samples drawn late or handled badly, uncalibrated breathalysers and chain-of-custody failures sink State cases daily. We defend DUI matters across Gauteng from the night of arrest to the verdict.
Call 011 042 8039Free Case AssessmentWhen you need drunk driving attorneys
Arrested at a roadblock after a breathalyser test
Blood taken at a clinic after arrest
First DUI offence — protecting a clean record
Repeat DUI charges with escalated penalties
Reckless or negligent driving charges alongside DUI
Accidents involving alcohol where injury occurred
Professional drivers facing licence and livelihood loss
Applying for diversion or negotiated pleas to avoid a record
How we handle your matter
Night-of-arrest response
We arrange police bail where possible, ensure blood is drawn within the 2-hour evidentiary window rules and record every procedural detail while it is fresh.
Evidence attack
We interrogate the blood-alcohol chain of custody, the lab analysis, breathalyser calibration certificates and the legality of the stop itself.
Representations
Weak or non-compliant State cases are challenged by written representations for withdrawal before trial.
Plea engineering
Where evidence is strong, we negotiate outcomes that protect what matters most — avoiding imprisonment, avoiding a record where diversion is possible, preserving your licence.
Trial defence
When the State insists, we run the technical defence at trial — the burden of proving the reading beyond reasonable doubt is theirs, not yours.
Fees — transparent, agreed upfront
DUI defence is fixed-fee per stage: first appearance and bail, representations, and trial days each quoted in writing. Most matters resolve before trial — and we price them that way.
Key legislation:
- National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 (Section 65)
- Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal alcohol limit in South Africa?
0.05g per 100ml of blood (0.02g for professional drivers), or 0.24mg per 1,000ml of breath. Above that, you can be charged — but the reading must be proved lawfully obtained and accurate.
Can I refuse a breathalyser or blood test?
You may not lawfully refuse a blood sample — police can have it drawn. But how and when it is taken is strictly regulated, and violations make the result inadmissible.
Will I go to jail for a first DUI offence?
Imprisonment is competent but rare for a clean first offender without an accident. Fines, suspended sentences and — in suitable cases — diversion without a record are realistic outcomes with proper representation.
Can a DUI charge be withdrawn?
Yes, frequently — late blood draws, broken chain of custody and missing calibration certificates ground successful representations for withdrawal.
Will I lose my driving licence?
A court convicting you of drunk driving must suspend your licence unless circumstances justify otherwise — a key battleground we fight hard on, especially for professional drivers.
How long does alcohol stay detectable in blood?
Roughly one standard drink metabolises per hour, but the legal question is your level at the time of driving — expert recalculation (‘back-calculation’) is often challengeable.
Speak to an Attorney Today
Get straight answers about drunk driving attorneys from a firm that fights to win. First consultation — no obligation, full confidentiality.
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