Impaired Driving

If you have been charged with impaired driving, you know that the penalties can have a major impact on your life. With a minimum one-year license suspension, high fines, and even the potential for imprisonment, one bad decision can have a lasting effect on your relationships, income, and future. Working with RSG Law is an important step in making sure that one mistake does not ruin your life.

The Criminal Code of Canada outlines what constitutes “drinking and driving,” as well as what is legally permissible and what is not. There is a specified level of either alcohol or drugs that can be in your system within 2 hours of driving; if you are found to have more than this amount in your blood, you will be facing a charge. The charge and associated penalties will be based on various factors; for example, for a first-time offender, the penalty you face may be less severe than those with multiple impaired driving offences. If you refuse to provide a breath sample or cause harm or death to an individual while driving impaired, the consequences can range up to life imprisonment.

Why hire a lawyer to help with an impaired driving offence?

An impaired driving charge is serious, and there are strict timelines that you must abide by when taking action. A first-time offence carries a $1000 fine, as well as a one-year license suspension. However, with the assistance of a lawyer, you may be able to reduce this by utilizing legal programs or defences.

Stream A and Stream B Reduced Suspension Program: If you are a first-time offender, you may be eligible for a Stream A or Stream B program that will reduce your sentence. As part of the program, you must agree to install an ignition interlock system for a set period of time. A similar program, known as Stream D, is available for second-time offenders. To qualify, you must apply within 90 days, meet a set of requirements, and plead guilty. A lawyer will help you ensure that this is the right decision based on your case.

Acquittal: Depending on the facts of the case, your lawyer may advise you to move forward with defending yourself against the charge. In this case, they will help you pull together the evidence that gives your case the best chance of being dismissed and will represent you at all court proceedings.

Additional Charges: If someone was hurt or died while you were driving impaired or if you committed another offence that resulted in additional criminal charges, your case will be more complex. You will require the support of a legal professional with experience handling these matters and the associated court proceedings.

Why RSG Law?

If you have been charged with an impaired driving offence, the best decision you can make is to call RSG Law. Our team of criminal defence lawyers will assess your case, advise you on the best course of action, and help you take the necessary steps to reduce the impact that a conviction may have on your life.