Impaired Driving Lawyers
Having one too many alcoholic drinks before getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle can have devastating consequences.
LOOKING FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWYERS?
One drunk driving charge could change your life forever. You could be arrested, lose your driver’s licence, lose your job, suffer “high-risk driver” insurance increases and possibly be put in jail with criminal charges.
THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF IMPAIRED DRIVING
Contrary to popular belief, you may be charged with impaired driving (also known as a DUI charge) even if your blood alcohol level is below 80mg.
The Criminal Code of Canada defines impaired driving in section 320.14.
320.14 (1) Every one commits an offence who operates a motor vehicle or vessel or operates or assists in the operation of an aircraft or of railway equipment or has the care or control of a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment, whether it is in motion or not,
(a) while the person’s ability to operate the vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway equipment is impaired by alcohol or a drug; or
(b) having consumed alcohol in such a quantity that the concentration in the person’s blood exceeds eighty milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitres of blood.
DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING
Did you know that according to the Government of Canada, the percentage of Canadian drivers killed in vehicle crashes who test positive for drugs, now exceeds the numbers who test positive for alcohol?
Driving while high will dramatically impair your ability to operate a vehicle and increase your risk of getting into an accident. Cannabis use while driving can not only bring you serious penalties from fines to life imprisonment, but it will put the lives of those in your vehicle and around you in danger. With marijuana legalized in Canada, comes a great responsibility to practice safe and controlled use.
PENALTIES FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING
Canada has some of the strictest laws when it comes to impaired driving. The Canadian Department of Justice reported more than 69,000 impaired driving cases in 2017, with 3,500 of them being drug-impaired driving incidents.
Driving under the influence is never a good idea and comes with its own set of consequences. That’s why you need strong criminal lawyers on your side to guide you through the process.
The minimum penalty for a first offence is:
- Suspension of your driving privileges for one year
- A fine of no less than $1,000
- Participation in the provincial counselling program, at your own cost
(“Back on Track” in Ontario and “Planning Ahead” in Alberta) - Installation of an Ignition Interlock system/alcohol screening device in your vehicle for one year, at your own cost
- A criminal record
The minimum penalty for a second offence is:
- Driver’s licence suspension for 3 years (if the previous conviction was within 10 years)
- A mandatory jail term of 30 days (minimum)
- Participation in the provincial counselling program, at your own cost
(“Back on Track” in Ontario and “Planning Ahead” in Alberta) - Installation of an Ignition Interlock system/alcohol screening device in your vehicle for one year, at your own cost
DID YOU KNOW
The mandatory counselling program will cost you over $500. You will be required to attend classes and undergo medical and psychological assessments throughout the program.
HOW TO FIGHT IMPAIRED DRIVING CHARGES
Drinking and driving can have serious implications and is a criminal offence. Your best first step is to get the legal advice and representation of X-Copper’s winning team of qualified and specialized impaired driving lawyers, former police officers and legal professionals. They are experienced in how Impaired Driving charges are made and the court procedures that will get the best results possible.