DUI

  • A DUI is a Serious Matter in Calgary

    Driving Under the Influence – or Impaired Driving – is a Serious Offence in Calgary, Alberta.

  • Aggravating Factors in Calgary DUI Cases

    A conviction for impaired driving, known in the United States as driving under the influence—or DUI—can lead to a myriad of penalties. Those penalties may include relatively minor administrative penalties, such as licence suspensions or revocations, along with hefty fines and even incarceration.

  • Alberta’s DUI Laws are Changing Soon

    Changes are coming to drunk driving laws in Alberta. The new law, set to take effect in July, would largely decriminalize drunk driving for first-time offenders in Alberta.

  • Are DUI/DWI Roadblocks and Checkpoints Legal?

    DUI/DWI checkpoints in Calgary are legal. Police officers typically set up these checkpoints during long weekends, over holidays, and sometimes just arbitrarily.

  • Can I Refuse a Field Sobriety Test?

    When a police officer suspects that your driving abilities are impaired by alcohol, he or she may pull your vehicle over and ask that you complete a field sobriety test, as well as a Breathalyzer or chemical testing. One condition of obtaining your driver’s licence is that you impliedly consent to undergo testing if a police officer asks that you do so.

  • Can You “Pass” a Field Sobriety Test?

    When the police suspect that a driver is drunk, they have several investigative techniques available to them. Of course, the initial technique employed during a traffic stop is mere observation – the officer observes the driver’s speech, appearance, smell, and other characteristics that may indicate that he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Collateral Consequences of a DUI

    In addition to the jail time, fines, and other potential penalties associated with a Calgary DUI conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada, there are also some collateral consequences associated with a DUI conviction that can affect every aspect of your life.

  • Did the Police Violate Your Rights?

    Police officers in Canada are intended to enforce the laws, keep the peace, and arrest those who have committed crimes. However, police do not have unlimited power and authority.

  • FAQ About Licence Suspension in Alberta

    An impaired driving charge carries the risk of fines and imprisonment. However, drivers will also experience another punishment: under theTraffic Safety Act, any driver charged with an alcohol- or drug-related offence will have theirlicence suspended.

  • Four Reasons to Hire a DUI Lawyer

    If you find yourself in the midst of criminal DUI proceedings, you’re not alone. About 130 per 100,000 persons in Calgary faced DUIs in a recent year. A Calgary DUI lawyer can help you.

  • Have You Been Accused of Causing a Drunk Driving Crash?

    Each year,thousands of people are involved in drunk driving crashes inCanada. Impaired drivers can cause extensive propertydamage--smashing into other cars, storefronts, andeven people's homes. But the criminal justice system will get involved fast if you accidentally harm or even kill another person. At BourdonDefence, we regularly represent defendants accused of causing a crash while drivingimpaired.

  • How Can I Tell if My Impaired Driving Case Will Go to Trial?

    The short answer is, you cant. Many factors go into whether it is a good idea for you to fight charges at trial or try to negotiate the best deal you can get before trial. Those factors, of course, stem from your individual case.

  • How to Find a Good DUI Lawyer

    If the Calgary government has charged you with DUI, don’t feel alone—the city’s rate of DUI arrests is more than 130 per 100,000. But don’t think you don’t face serious charges. You need a lawyer on your side who will offer you the best possible representation.

  • How to Pick a DUI Lawyer

    A DUI charge or conviction can land you in hot water. Consequently, you want an experienced lawyer on your side who can handle your case effectively and help you obtain a good result. The Calgary criminal defence lawyers at Bourdon Defence have helped hundreds of clients fight their DUI charges in court.

  • Is it Worth Getting a Lawyer for a DUI if I Failed the Breathalyzer?

    Even if you fail a Breathalyzer test, it is still a good idea to get a lawyer to represent you during your criminal case. This is because, in some instances, there are serious flaws with the Breathalyzer machine and other testing equipment, resulting in a false reading.

  • Know Your Legal Limits for DUI in Alberta

    Many people may have a few drinks and wonder, “Am I over the legal limit to drive home?” The truth is, there is not one single limit in Alberta after which you can get arrested.

  • Questions to Ask Your DUI Lawyer

    If you face charges of driving under the influence (DUI) in Calgary, you may have more questions than answers. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a person may sustain an impaired driving charge if he or she is found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher—or if he or she drives while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

  • Should I Get a DUI Lawyer or Defend Myself?

    If you or someone you love has been arrested or charged with driving under the influence (DUI), otherwise known as impaired driving in Calgary, immediately retain legal counsel to represent you. DUI convictions can result in high fines and other harsh penalties.

  • Should I Get a Lawyer for My First DUI?

    Even if this is your first time facing a DUI or impaired driving charge, it is always a good idea to have a lawyer representing you throughout your case. The potential penalties upon conviction can vary, depending in part upon your blood alcohol concentration at the time the officer stopped you.

  • There Are Potential Long-Term Effects of a DUI in Calgary

    Changes are coming soon to Alberta’s drunk-drivinglaws that will largely decriminalize first-time offences for drunk driving. That will reduce penalties as a legal matter, but there are other considerations in play.

  • When Impaired Driving Gets More Serious

    Some people may believe that an impaired driving charge is not a serious matter. This is a mistake, as impaired driving convictions can have many penalties that can affect you for years to come.

  • Will You Need an Ignition Interlock on Your Car?

    If you’ve been convicted of impaired driving, you’ll need toparticipate in theIgnition Interlock Program, which is mandatory in Alberta. As part of the program, you must install an appropriate interlock device on your vehicle and demonstrate that you can separate your consumption of alcohol from your driving.

  • Your Life Doesn’t End When Police Pull You Over During a DUI Traffic Stop

    When police stop you and charge you withaDUI,you may feel like your life is headed over a cliff. However, that is not necessarily the case.