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.
Police officers are trained to make the final determination as to whether a person is ‘impaired’ by alcohol or drugs while behind the wheel. If you have been charged and found guilty or convicted of DUI in Calgary, you may be facing serious criminal penalties, up to and including jail time. At Bourdon Defence, our legal team has extensive experience in representing individuals who are currently facing DUI charges. Our skilled lawyers can advocate for you and help you obtain the best possible result in your case.
How Much Experience Does Your Lawyer Have?
One of the first questions you should ask your lawyer is how much experience he or she has defending DUI cases. When you are in court, you want a lawyer handling your case who regularly takes DUI cases to trial. Judges and crown prosecutors who are familiar with a particular criminal defence lawyer are more likely to offer that lawyer a better deal, simply because they trust the lawyer. For example, a crown prosecutor may recommend a period of probation or a charge reduction (e.g., reducing a DUI charge down to a careless driving charge) for a particular defendant.
What Defences Are Available to Me?
DUI—like other criminal charges—has plenty of potential defences associated with it. You should always ask your lawyer whether any of these defences may apply to your charge. For example, in some circumstances, you may be able to allege that the police violated your Charter rights by initiating an improper traffic stop. A good legal defence can go a long way and could even result in a complete dismissal of your DUI charge.
What Are the Potential Penalties for Conviction?
You should always ask your lawyer what the potential penalties may be upon a conviction of DUI. Depending upon the circumstances, those penalties could include some or all of the following:
- Monetary fines
- Jail time
- Mandatory probation
A period of probation may include mandatory attendance at an alcohol education class, community service, and/or required installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
Contact a Calgary DUI Defence Lawyer About Your Case Today
When you meet with your lawyer about your DUI case, you should come prepared to talk about what happened and how much you had been drinking. You should also bring a copy of the police report and any other relevant documentation to your meeting. The lawyers at Bourdon Defence can review all of this documentation and get to work on formulating a good legal defence for you. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Calgary DUI defence lawyer, please call us today at (403) 474-4143, or contact us online.