Picton DUI & Impaired Driving Defence

Where your case is heard

Impaired driving cases from across Prince Edward County are heard at the Ontario Court of Justice, 44 Union Street, Picton. This courthouse is the regional hub for criminal matters, including DUI. Knowing the local Crown’s office and the expectations of the bench is critical to achieving the best possible result.

How DUI charges arise in and around Picton

Prince Edward County has earned a reputation as one of Ontario’s most desirable destinations — often compared to an eastern version of Muskoka. With over 40 wineries, craft breweries, cider houses, and farm-to-table restaurants, the County draws visitors from Toronto, Ottawa, and beyond. Its beaches, marinas, and trails make it a magnet for summer tourism, retirement living, and seasonal getaways.

Public transportation is extremely limited. Locals, retirees, and weekend visitors alike often rely entirely on personal vehicles to move between rural accommodations, wineries, and events. For police, that creates regular opportunities for RIDE programs, traffic stops, and marine patrols.

Common scenarios include:

• Driving after a wine tour or dinner at a local restaurant
• Being stopped during a holiday weekend RIDE program on a county road
• “Morning after” driving with alcohol still in your system
• Operating a boat on Lake Ontario or the Bay of Quinte after an afternoon on the water
• Snowmobile or ATV use on rural trails after drinking

The Prince Edward County OPP is active year-round, with seasonal spikes in roadside, trail, and marine enforcement. Impaired boating charges under the Criminal Code carry the same penalties as a road-based DUI.

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 Lake Ontario, Bay of Quinte, or inland waterways
• Snowmobile and ATV DUIs on winter trails and private property

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

In a smaller, close-knit community, reputational harm can be as damaging as the legal penalty — especially for professionals, business owners, and those in public-facing roles.

Clients we represent

We focus on clients who cannot afford the career, travel, or reputational costs of a criminal conviction, including:

• Professionals, business owners, and executives
• Skilled trades and contractors serving regional construction and tourism
• Military personnel, especially those stationed at CFB Trenton or visiting
• Students, retirees, and seasonal residents
• Visitors from Toronto, Ottawa, and beyond on weekend or holiday stays
• Non-citizens such as permanent residents, work permit holders, and foreign students

How we build your defence

Every file begins with a full review of disclosure and a defence plan tailored to your facts. We examine:

• Whether the stop, RIDE checkpoint, or marine interdiction was lawful
• Whether your Charter rights, including your right to counsel, your right to be free from illegal searches and detentions, were respected
• The accuracy and timing of roadside, station, or vessel-based testing
• The legal grounds for arrest and for any breath or blood demand
• Procedural or evidentiary issues that may justify excluding key evidence

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

Serving Picton and Prince Edward County

We defend clients from across The County, including Bloomfield, Wellington, Carrying Place, and surrounding communities. Many charges originate during weekend or holiday visits and proceed at the Picton courthouse.

If you’ve been charged in Prince Edward County, the earlier we’re involved, the more options you may have. Call 613-480-5045 now for a free, confidential case review.