Ottawa DUI Lawyer - 20 Years' Court Experience and Trial-First Defence

Ottawa DUI and Impaired Driving Defence

Ottawa is more than Canada’s capital. It is home to federal employees, diplomats, military members, public servants, students, and business leaders. For many, a criminal charge is not just stressful, it is a direct threat to a career, reputation, or immigration status.

We defend clients charged with impaired driving, over 80, and refusal throughout Ottawa and surrounding communities, applying a trial-first mentality to every file. That means we prepare each case as if it will go to trial, a strategy that often drives strong negotiations for reduced charges or outright acquittals.

Why Clients in Ottawa Choose Us

We understand Ottawa’s high-stakes environment. Many of our clients have no prior criminal record and are caught after an ordinary event such as a work dinner, a weekend at the cottage, or a night out in ByWard Market. Others are federal employees or new Canadians concerned about permanent residency, work permits, or cross-border travel.

With 20 years of experience appearing in Ottawa’s courthouses, we know how DUI cases move through the system from the main courthouse at 161 Elgin Street to regional venues like the Orleans satellite court. We are familiar with the local Crown’s office, including its dedicated virtual contact at [email protected], and we use that procedural knowledge to position your defence effectively.

How a DUI Charge Can Happen

In Ottawa, impaired charges often arise from:

• A stop at a RIDE program on the 417, 416, or city routes
• A minor accident drawing police attention
• Crossing from Gatineau after drinks without realizing you are over the limit
• Recreational cannabis or prescription medication affecting driving
• Impaired boating on the Ottawa River

Ottawa Police Service and the OPP actively enforce impaired driving year-round, with seasonal spikes during holiday RIDE campaigns and summer boating season.

What Is at Stake if Convicted

Even a first offence can result in:

• A criminal record
• One-year licence suspension (minimum)
• Mandatory alcohol or drug education or treatment
• Ignition interlock installation
• Significant fines and insurance increases
• Career, immigration, and travel restrictions
• Loss or suspension of security clearance for federal employees, military members, and contractors with government access

For professionals requiring security clearance, health care workers, educators, or tradespeople who need to drive, the consequences can be career ending.

Serving Ottawa and Surrounding Communities

We represent clients from:

• Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Gloucester, Barrhaven
• Rockland, Manotick, Greely, Stittsville, Carp
• Kemptville, Arnprior, and nearby rural areas

Our experience includes both city-based prosecutions and OPP-patrolled regions, each with its own enforcement style and procedural nuances.

Defence Strategies Built for Ottawa

Every case starts with a thorough review of the police disclosure, assessing:

• The legality of the stop and arrest
• Compliance with Charter rights
• Legislative compliance in testing procedures
• Officer training and protocol adherence
• Admissibility and reliability of evidence

Weaknesses become leverage for withdrawals, reductions, or acquittals, always with a trial-first mindset.

Discreet, Professional, and Strategic

For many clients, this is their first experience with the criminal justice system. We keep the process discreet, the communication clear, and the defence tailored to your priorities, whether that is protecting a professional licence, avoiding immigration fallout, or safeguarding your reputation.

Charged in Ottawa? Act Now

If you’re charged with a DUI in Ottawa, you should call well before your first Court date. The earlier the defence process starts, the better your chances are to preserve potentially vital evidence and start the clock ticking against the government to get you to trial on time.

Call today for a confidential consultation. We will protect your rights, navigate the Ottawa courts with 20 years of local experience, and bring a trial-first approach to securing the best possible outcome.