DUI Lawyers In Calgary Here To Clear Your Name

You may be convicted of impaired driving if a prosecutor proves that you were in control of a motor vehicle, that your ability to operate the vehicle was impaired, and that alcohol was the cause of the impairment. One of the most important things to remember if an officer charges you with impaired driving is to say as little as possible while in police custody. Upon being charged, you will have your license suspended until the case goes to trial. Other possible punishments for impaired driving include further license suspensions, substantial fines, a criminal record, and some jail time based on your number of previous offences. Because impaired driving involves several technicalities, we can build a strong defence using methods such as questioning the reliability of the breathalyzer, analyzing varying blood alcohol levels, or challenging observations of impairment. These techniques may allow us to build a compelling defence to rid you of, or at least minimize, the consequences of your conviction.

The consequences of driving while under the influence of cannabis are similar to those of impaired driving. If you are convicted, punishments may include a hefty fine, jail time, a permanent criminal record, and a license suspension. In Canada, there is currently no guidance as to how much cannabis is safe to consume before driving. As such, we can use the ambiguity of the current legislature as well as the nature of cannabis to defend your case. We’ll consider everything from the method of consumption, the quantity of cannabis consumed, and the specific strain ingested, as well as the reason for taking marijuana, whether medical or recreational.

The government of Canada identifies refusal or failure to blow a breathalyzer as a failure to comply with a demand under the criminal code. A police officer may demand a breath or blood sample if he or she suspects that you have alcohol in your body or suspects that the impairment of your ability to drive is due to alcohol. While an officer will automatically suspend your license upon charging you, we can help to ensure that no further consequences befall you by reviewing and challenging police evidence including the grounds on which the demand was made, the proper functioning of the device used to collect the sample, and any asthma or respiratory you may have.

Dangerous driving is a charge given based on the operation of a vehicle deemed hazardous to the public. A dangerous driving charge may account for the nature, condition, and location of the vehicle, as well as the amount of surrounding traffic. Impaired driving and driving under the influence of drugs are both considered to be examples of dangerous driving, but even something as small and innocent as falling asleep while driving may result in a criminal charge. As always, the first step after receiving a charge for dangerous driving is to call a trusted criminal defence lawyer. We can help to lessen the blow of a driving offence and potentially eliminate your criminal record.

Leaving the scene of an accident is often referred to as a hit and run. These charges may apply if you are in a collision with another person or vehicle and, with the intent to escape liability, fail to stop or offer your necessary information. The punishment for leaving the scene of an accident is disqualification from driving and, potentially, a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years based on the severity of the scene. If the other individual involved in the accident dies, the typical prison sentence is life. We know that being in an accident is a stressful and scary time, and panic may lead you to leave the scene. If you’re concerned about your involvement in a hit and run incident, give us a call; we can create a compelling case to prove that your intentions were not malicious and do our best to decrease or eliminate the potential punishment.

As with all driving offences, flight from police can result in a serious criminal conviction. You may be liable for charges if you fail to stop your vehicle as soon as is safe and reasonable when being pursued by a peace officer or if you attempt to evade the police officer without a reasonable excuse. If found guilty, you may be subject an extended license suspension, up to five years in prison, and three years of probation. We approach these cases with the same determination that we do with all driving offences. We can make a case against the original reason the police attempted to get your attention, the video evidence of your driving pattern, any reasonable excuses for not stopping the car, and any external circumstances that could have hindered your ability to notice the police.

Operating a vehicle with an active licence suspension or without reinstating your licence following a previous suspension can result in serious charges. While you may believe it is unlikely you will be caught, there is a specific unit of officers in Calgary assigned to investigate individuals suspected of driving while disqualified. This offence is considered to be a disregard of a court order, and as such, most judges handle the case with solemn severity. However, backed by our knowledge of the court system, we can evaluate and use to our advantage the particulars of your case including the initial reason for the license suspension, whether or not you were committing any other offences at the time, and your reason for driving. Together, we can help you avoid jail time and probation by solidifying a strong defence.

Traffic Safety Act offences do not typically result in a criminal record, but the results can still be severe. For assistance in negotiating a substantial fine, driving suspension, accumulation of demerit points, or jail time, you may choose to hire a criminal defence lawyer to minimize some of the consequences. Traffic Safety Act offences include everything from minor parking infractions and photo radar tickets to careless driving, exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/hr, and more. As Alberta Criminal Defence Lawyers, we operate under the obligation to act in your best interests and to achieve a result that is both reasonable and positive.