Impaired Driving Defence Centre
DUI Legal Support & Educational Resources
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A DUI charge in Ontario can have serious consequences, but informed choices can give you a stronger foundation. This page offers practical resources to help you understand impaired driving law, your rights, and how to respond. It is designed to inform, not alarm. Explore the resources, then get the conversation started.
Facing a refusal to provide a breath sample charge in Ontario can be a confusing and frightening experience. With significant changes to the Criminal Code since 2018, police now have more authority than ever to demand a breath test—even without suspicion of impairment. Understanding these new laws, including Mandatory Alcohol....
Care and Control DUI Charges in Ontario: What You Need to Know Since December 2018, amendments to the Criminal Code through Bill C-46 consolidated the former offences of impaired driving and impaired care and control into a single offence called impaired operation. Under section 320.11, “operation” includes both actual driving....
The Internet Is Full of General Advice, But Your Case Isn’t General Let’s be honest: when you’re facing impaired driving charges, your first instinct might be to search Google or ask ChatGPT what to do next. That makes sense; after all, information is everywhere. But here’s the hard truth: no....
With serious penalties on the line, you owe it to yourself to get proper legal advice and build a strong defence.
Call now 1-877-497-3927
Schedule a FREE assessment
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Winning your Ontario DUI charge starts with a deep-dive client interview that uncovers timeline gaps and Charter breaches the government’s version often glosses over. Next, we dissect every line of disclosure—breath-test data, officer notes, dash-cam video—using targeted legal research to pinpoint procedural errors. Decades of trial experience and surgical cross-examination then expose those weaknesses, driving dismissals or withdrawals. When strategy meets science, your odds of beating an impaired-driving case rise sharply.
Many Canadians assume a DUI is ‘no big deal’ at the U.S. border, but even one conviction can already trigger an instant refusal—and a bill now before Congress would make that ban automatic for all Canadians with a DUI. We handle the intricate waiver process every day and know how to anticipate problems that catch less-experienced lawyers off guard. Secure your travel plans while options still exist—speak directly with Christopher Avery today for a complimentary 30-minute assessment.
A first DUI in Ontario carries a minimum $1,000 fine, a 12-month licence suspension, and a criminal record that can stop U.S. and overseas travel cold. You’ll pay $8,000-plus per year in ‘high-risk’ insurance premiums, complete the costly Back on Track program, and drive with an ignition-interlock breathalyzer once you’re back on the road. That same record shows up on routine background checks, putting jobs and professional licences for nurses, teachers, real-estate agents, and other regulated workers at serious risk. Avoid the avalanche—call now for a free case review before these penalties become a reality.
For a first-offence DUI, we almost always advise fighting: the penalties for pleading guilty are crushing, yet the benefit for admitting fault is minimal. We first pore over your disclosure—breath tests, police notes, body-cam—then meet with you to confirm instructions. Put the Crown to strict proof and give yourself a genuine chance to walk away without a lifelong record
No—aside from the actual trial date or any plea-resolution appearance, we attend court on your behalf for every remand, disclosure meeting, and judicial pre-trial. As counsel of record we keep the judge informed, update you immediately, and spare you missed shifts or employer scrutiny. Stay productive while we fight the charge.
Stream A and Stream B are Ontario’s two post-conviction licensing paths under the Ignition Interlock Program. These overlap with the 12 month prohibition imposed by the Court. Stream A lets a first-offence driver regain limited driving after a 3-month hard suspension, provided they plead guilty within 90 days, complete Back on Track, and install an interlock for the next 9 months. Stream B applies if a guilty plea is entered after 90 days or the driver is convicted at trial; it imposes a 6-month suspension followed by a 12-month interlock. The minimal difference between these programs is why we often recommend fighting the charges. There is usually nothing to lose.
Generally, no. There are no exemptions for employment or any other compassionate reasons. There are some very narrow exceptions such as another person using your identity. After the 90 days are done you can pay a reinstatement fee and drive until a trial date or guilty plea.
This can sometimes be accomplished. Call our office for information on how to make that happen
You cannot get the car back early, regardless of whether or not you own the vehicle yourself. The procedure differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally you obtain a release slip from the police service and pay the impound fees on release. Call our office in order to clarify any questions you have.
While the mandatory minimum penalty for a second DUI is a minimum of 90 days in jail, we have a great deal of success in negotiating a non-custodial disposition for our clients. Call us at the Impaired Driving Defence Centre to discuss your case.
