Ugur Nedim: Sydney Criminal Lawyers principal fights drink driving conviction

An experienced Sydney lawyer and two-time drink driver busted with an extraordinary blood alcohol level after he drove his Porsche over a median strip made a last-ditch appeal against his conviction.

A senior lawyer and repeat drink driver caught driving his Porsche over a median strip by police has failed in his appeal against a court’s emphatic punishment.

Sydney Criminal Lawyers’ principal Ugur Nedim, 48, was charged with high range drink driving after he was caught at more than three times the legal limit in Surry Hills on October 1 last year.

Agreed police facts tendered to Sydney District Court reveal police saw the moment Nedim steered his Porsche over a median strip near Oxford St.

“As the vehicle made this turn the vehicle first turned into the oncoming traffic lane, and hit the small concrete dividing strip, causing the vehicle to momentarily become airborne and cause sparks to fly out on the underside of the vehicle,” the document states.

“Police followed the silver Porsche and caught up to the vehicle on Bourke St, when police observed the vehicle making a left turn and partially entering the oncoming traffic lane.”

Sydney Criminal Lawyers' principal lawyer Ugur Nedim.

When officers breath-tested Nedim at 8.15pm – about an hour after he was arrested – he blew 0.163, more than three times the legal limit.

“The accused stated the result could not be accurate and that police did not allow him to drink water during the time he was under arrest,” the document states.

“He declined the services of a medical professional for the purpose of taking a blood test.”

Nedim pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a one-year community corrections order, a $1500 fine, and a nine-month driving disqualification with a two-year interlock period to follow.

The experienced solicitor then attempted to appeal his sentence in the Sydney District Court, where he endeavoured to make a Section 14 application that would allow him to be discharged into medical treatment rather than punished in a criminal jurisdiction.

Outcomes obtained from the Sydney District Court reveal the court refused an application to adjourn the proceedings to allow Nedim to obtain a treatment plan and make an application under Section 14.

The sentence appeal was dismissed and the local court orders confirmed.

On his website, Nedim says he is recognised by the NSW Law Society as an accredited criminal law specialist.

He commenced his career as a law clerk in 1992 and has been a practising criminal defence lawyer since 1998.