Toronto DUI Laws
DUI Information and DUI Laws in Toronto, ON
Due to the increasingly severe and harsh punishments given to those charged with a DUI we have taken some time to answer the most common questions governing today’s DUI Laws.
What is the maximum DUI blood alcohol level?
A major part of the prosecution case for establishing a legal DUI limit infringement depends on the use of an approved instrument for taking breath samples. The instrument is calibrated to show a numerical value if the BAC is below 0.05% and “caution” if it is between 0.05 and 0.1 percent. It shows “fail for all instances over 0.1%. This instrument has to be handled by a qualified technician whose findings will be admissible in court as evidence.
What happens if I get arrested for DUI?
Whenever a person is arrested for drunk driving and charged with a drinking and driving offense for the first time, he/she may be overwhelmed by all the numerous court proceeding involved and having to face the police officers. The whole process is quite frightening and may create confusion.
What are the DUI laws in Toronto?
The DUI laws in Canada are very clear. Section 253(1) states that everyone 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.
What are the DUI penalties in Toronto?
Any person convicted of DUI offence in Canada including a refusal to comply offence automatically faces a driving prohibition applicable throughout the country and either a fine or jail term or both and a likelihood of probation.
The minimum DUI punishments for DUI are:
- For a first offence; 12-month driving probation and a $1000 fine.
- For a second offence; 24-month driving probation and 30 days jail sentence.
- For a third or subsequent offence; 36-month driving probation and 120 days jail sentence.
What are the consequences of drinking and driving?
The criminal code sees drunk driving as a serious criminal offence, and the drinking and driving consequences may include:
- Cancellation of license
- Impoundment of vehicle
- Payment of monetary administrative penalty
- Need to attend an education or treatment program
- Imposition of hefty fine
- Ending up with a criminal record
- Spending time in jail
How do you beat a DUI charge?
Winning a DUI is based on certain lapses by law enforcing officers and effective legal strategies implemented by your DUI lawyer. By pleading not guilty, you ensure that intricacies of the case are brought to light in trial and offer a chance for the your DUI defence lawyer to pick holes in the prosecution arguments. Some of the ways leading to beating a DUI include challenging BAC breath results, Field Sobriety tests and blood test results.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
If you are wondering what your DUI attorney cost will be, it is important to keep in mind that the cost of defending your case will depend on some factors. Firstly, the number of days the trial requires highly contributes to the final cost, however, you don’t need to worry since a trial lasts only a few days in an impaired driving case. Secondly, the amount of disclosure in your case such as the number of witnesses, expert reports, etc. will also matter. Thirdly, the amount of time your lawyer will have to devote to the case, and fourthly, the cost will also depend on whether you are hiring a private investigator, a toxicologist or another expert.
How do you get out of a DUI charge?
Getting out of a DUI is the first thing most peope think of when they are charged with an impaired driving offence. The charges in a DUI offence are often dropped because of two reasons. Firstly, when the defendant’s lawyer is able to establish a major flaw in the Crown’s case which makes it inappropriate to prosecute the accused. Secondly, when the Crown agrees to a plea bargain of provincial careless driving instead of a criminal DUI charge.
What are the chances of getting a DUI dismissed?
The chances of getting a DUI dismissed mostly depends on the facts of the case. Every case is different from the other and getting a DUI case dismissed is something that can only be assessed by a DUI lawyer. An outstanding DUI attorney is familiar with all of the ways of getting a case dismissed but to do so your lawyer will first have to assess the facts of the presented files.
How do you get a DUI dropped?
The Crown Attorneys will usually not drop charges in a DUI case unless and until they have a reason to believe that the case is seriously flawed. A flawed case only makes the situation worse but that does not mean that you can’t win a DUI case. There is always hope in a DUI case and if you are thinking of how to get a DUI dropped then you are most likely to find many solutions. DUI charges can only be dropped if the Crown is made to believe that the case is flawed and if your lawyer is able to represent you in the best way possible in the court of law.
How often do DUI cases get reduced?
DUI charges get reduced quite often but this depends on the strength and validity of the defence used by the DUI lawyer representing the request. There are various flaws in a DUI case which a lawyer can pinpoint to the Crown attorney who may agree to negotiate a plea deal which will reduce the charges to a less severe charge. On the other hand, most people are not aware of what extent a DUI can be reduced to. A DUI can be reduced to anything with less serious consequences such as careless driving which is the most common offence. With a careless driving charge, you will face lesser consequences and will not have a subsequent criminal record.
What should I say in court to fight DUI charges?
A Common DUI Defence strategy is to fight the case on technical grounds and thoroughly verifying whether any procedural lapses have occurred. Law enforcement officers often make mistakes when enforcing the law. The areas that a DUI lawyer will pick on include:
- Challenging BAC results, blood test results and questioning Field Sobriety tests.
- Challenging the legality of a DUI checkpoint and showing the arrest therein as illegal.
- Showing that an officer failed to issue implied consent warning and that he/she failed to read rights to the accused.
- Disputing suspicion of being under the influence.
- Alleging racial profiling or other misconduct.
What are the chances of winning a DUI trial?
The chances of beating a DUI vary from case to case. The facts and circumstances surrounding your case will be totally different from another case. It then becomes necessary in such a situation to hire a trustworthy DUI lawyer who will assess and prepare your case accordingly. Toronto DUI lawyer will offer you an experienced DUI attorney with a history of positive results. We strive to make sure that the cases against our clients are dismissed.
How can I get a DUI plea bargain?
There are generally two strategies you can use to get a DUI plea bargain.
- Firstly, when the Crown attorney approaches you and your lawyer and offers you to plead guilty to a less serious charge such as careless driving.
- Secondly, when the evidence against you is very strong and you agree to plead guilty to the original charge of DUI in exchange for a less severe sentence than you are likely to receive if the jury is to find you guilty at trial.
- A DUI plea bargain can be initiated any time during the pendency of the trial between the Crown attorney and your lawyer.
How do I fight a DUI charge?
The following are the most effective methods which can be effectively utilized in DUI cases.
- Making a “Rising Blood Alcohol Content” argument.
- Disputing suspicion you were under influence.
- Alleging racial profiling or other misconduct.
- Questioning the Field Sobriety Tests.
- Citing a failure to Issue Implied Consent Warning.
- Failure to read rights by an officer.
- Challenging the test results.
- Proving the Checkpoint Arrest to be illegal.
- Challenging the illegality of the Checkpoint stop.
- Challenging the BAC results from breath test.
What is the cost of installing an ignition interlock device?
The ignition interlock device cost depends on a number of factors. Nevertheless, the overall cost in Toronto, ON, can be as little as $2.50 per day. The device is a deterrent against those driving under the influence and hence the price is also kept within affordable limits.
However, the cost of the car interlock will mainly depend on –
- The period for which the device will be kept installed in the vehicle.
- The jurisdiction where the conviction has taken place and the orders that were issued for the interlock installation.
- The extra features that you are required to have in the device such as camera, GPS or real time reporting.
- The year, make and model of the vehicle that the car interlock will be installed.
Will I need to attend a drinking and driving program?
If you have been convicted under the Criminal Law for impaired driving that may have caused bodily harm or death, you are not eligible for early reinstatement of the licence. In this case, you have to participate in DUI programs at the end of the revocation period to get the licence restored.
The time period for getting a licence is as follows –
- 3 months from the date of sentencing for a 1st offence;
- 6 months for a 2nd offence; and
- 12 months for any subsequent offence. In all these cases, you can start the application process and required Alcohol Assessment before the specified period comes to an end.
How long will I need an alcohol breathalyzer in my car?
The term of each breathalyzer installation depends on the nature of the offence.
- 1st DUI offence – Driving a vehicle fitted with an ignition interlock device, apart from other restrictions.
- 2nd DUI offence – An accused has to have a car breathalyzer fitted 6 months after the sentence.
- 3rd DUI offence – The licence is permanently revoked. However, if it is ever restored, the accused has to take a lifetime enrollment in an interlock program.
What do I do if i am caught drinking alcohol and driving?
Get in touch with our Toronto DUI Lawyer if you are facing charges or when you are arrested for drinking alcohol and driving in Toronto, ON. Our team of lawyers has the necessary skills and expertise to defend you in court based on technical grounds. Over the years, we have achieved consistent and favorable results on behalf of our clients. Call us today and get more information on our outstanding services.
What is the general DUI arrest process?
After a police officer has collected your blood sample or breath sample, he/she will hand it over to a professional technician who will undertake the necessary test. If the blood alcohol concentration is above the prescribed limit, then he will have the necessary ground to arrest you. You will be detained and thereafter taken to court. During this time, it is crucial that you contact us so we are able to prepare your defence as soon as possible.
Types Of DUI Charges:
Consequences Of A DUI:
Adam Little received his LL.B in 2006 from Osgoode Hall Law School and has lectured at numerous educational conferences for the Law Society of Upper Canada and for the Criminal Lawyers’ Association of Ontario. Mr. Little's exceptional knowledge of the law as it pertains to driving related offences has been observed at the highest levels of court in Canada. Mr. Little has conducted both trials and appeals, at all levels of court in Ontario. Watch the video below as Adam carries out an appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada.
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