Pembroke DUI & Impaired Driving Defence

Where your case is heard

All impaired driving cases from across Renfrew County are heard at the Ontario Court of Justice, 297 Pembroke Street East. This courthouse is the regional hub for criminal matters, and its Crown Attorneys are known for their tough stance on DUI. For over two decades, we have appeared here in person, bringing a specialist’s perspective that isn’t tied to local politics.

How DUI charges arise in and around Pembroke

Charges often stem from:

• Highway 17 traffic stops or RIDE programs
• Patrols on rural roads serving Petawawa, Renfrew, Eganville, Cobden, Barry’s Bay, and Deep River
• Long weekends and holiday checkpoints
• Operating a boat on the Ottawa River after a few drinks
• Snowmobile or ATV use on winter trails
• Reports from other drivers or community members

The OPP East Region operates both traffic and marine units here, with seasonal boating enforcement on the Ottawa River and nearby lakes. These charges carry the same Criminal Code penalties as those for driving a car.

Special focus: CFB Petawawa

For more than 20 years, we have been the go-to civilian defence lawyer for Canadian Armed Forces personnel stationed at CFB Petawawa. We understand the unique, career-altering consequences a DUI can have for service members — from deployment restrictions and promotion delays to potential release. We coordinate with military legal officers when necessary to protect both your legal and service record.

Charges we defend

• Alcohol-related offences including impaired operation, “Over 80,” and care or control
• Drug-related offences involving cannabis, prescription medication, or other substances
• Refusal or failure to provide a breath or blood sample
• Boating DUIs on the Ottawa River and connected waterways
• Snowmobile and ATV DUIs on rural and trail networks

Legal and personal consequences

A conviction can mean:

• Immediate licence suspension and a minimum one-year driving ban
• Ignition interlock and mandatory education or treatment programs
• Substantial fines and significant insurance increases
• A permanent criminal record and possible jail in serious or repeat cases
• Travel restrictions, including to the United States
• For non-citizens, potential immigration consequences, including inadmissibility or removal from Canada. [Link to Immigration Consequences Page]

In a small community, reputational damage can spread quickly — sometimes faster than the legal process itself. Losing your licence can also disrupt work, family obligations, and access to essential services.

The Courts in Perth often impose a choice on people with high readings: pick from 30 days in jail or 30 days in residential rehabilitation. Christopher Avery has had a great deal of success, particularly for his CFB Petawawa clients, in having alternate rehabilitation options considered that avoid the loss of employment due to being away from work for a month.

Clients we represent

We focus on people who cannot absorb the cost of a criminal conviction, including:

• Canadian Armed Forces members at CFB Petawawa
• Professionals, business owners, and executives
• Skilled trades and contractors
• Students and seasonal workers
• Visitors to the Ottawa Valley and Renfrew County
• Non-citizens such as permanent residents, work permit holders, and foreign students

How we build your defence

Every file begins with a complete disclosure review and a plan tailored to your circumstances. We examine:

• Whether the stop or RIDE checkpoint was lawful
• Whether your Charter rights, including the right to counsel, were respected
• The accuracy and timing of roadside and station testing
• The legal grounds for arrest and for any breath or blood demand
• Gaps, inconsistencies, or procedural errors that may justify excluding evidence

Even if a test shows you were over the legal limit, the Crown must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. When the facts and law support it, outcomes can include withdrawals, reduced charges, or outright acquittals.

Serving Pembroke and Renfrew County

We defend clients from across the Ottawa Valley, including Petawawa, Renfrew, Eganville, Cobden, Barry’s Bay, Deep River, and Laurentian Valley. Whether you are a local resident, military member, or visitor, we bring 20+ years of in-person, specialist DUI defence experience to the Pembroke courthouse.

Call 613-480-5045 now for a free, confidential case review.