DUI Lawyer Stratford - Impaired Driving Defence in Perth County

Where Your Case Is Heard

All criminal impaired driving cases from Stratford and the surrounding region are heard at the Ontario Court of Justice, 1 Huron Street, Stratford. This courthouse handles matters from across Perth County, including St. Marys, Mitchell, Tavistock, and Sebringville.

How DUI Charges Happen in Stratford

Impaired driving charges here often follow a social or cultural event, not a deliberate decision to break the law. Many clients believed they were safe to drive but were later found over the legal limit. The Stratford Festival season draws thousands of visitors from across Canada and abroad, and every summer we see an increase in charges tied to festival evenings, post-performance dinners, and patio gatherings downtown.
Common scenarios include:

• Driving home after a wine tasting or brewery visit
• Leaving the theatre district after a Stratford Festival performance
• Being stopped the morning after a night out, unaware alcohol was still in your system
• Operating a boat or vehicle after a few drinks at a cottage near the city

Even without an accident or obvious erratic driving, police can lay charges if impairment is suspected and testing supports it.

Charges We Defend

• Alcohol-related offences including impaired operation, “Over 80,” and care and control
• Drug-related offences involving cannabis, prescription medications, or other narcotics
• Refusal or failure to provide a breath or blood sample
• Boating DUIs on area lakes and rivers
• Snowmobile and ATV DUIs in rural and recreational areas

Festival Season Enforcement Alert

During the Stratford Festival months, local police and OPP increase their visibility and enforcement. RIDE checkpoints are more frequent, especially near the theatre district and major routes out of the city. If you are visiting Stratford for a performance, even a small amount of alcohol could put you over the limit. The reputational and legal consequences can be severe — particularly for visitors in the public eye or connected to the arts community.

Legal & Personal Consequences

A conviction can mean:

• Immediate licence suspension
• Increased insurance premiums
• Fines and Victim Fine Surcharges
• Ignition interlock requirement
• Mandatory education or treatment programs
• Travel restrictions, including to the U.S.
• Possible jail time for repeat or serious cases
• For non-citizens: potential immigration consequences, including inadmissibility or removal from Canada

Why Stratford Cases Require a Tailored Approach

The Stratford Festival and other seasonal events draw visitors from across Canada and abroad. For many clients, the reputational damage from a criminal charge can be as serious as the legal penalty.

We have appeared in Stratford’s courthouse and understand how local Crown attorneys and judges approach DUI matters. Each jurisdiction has its own tendencies, and that insight can help shape a defence strategy that works.

Our Clients

We defend clients whose careers, reputations, and ability to travel are critical:

• Professionals in law, healthcare, finance, and education
• Business owners and executives
• Arts and culture professionals connected to the Stratford Festival
• Skilled trades and contractors in Perth County
• Non-citizens including permanent residents, work permit holders, and foreign students

How We Build Your Defence

Our process begins with a thorough review of the stop, arrest, and testing procedures. We examine:

• Whether the police stop or RIDE program was lawful
• Whether your Charter rights were upheld, including your right to counsel
• The lawfulness and accuracy of roadside and station testing
• Whether there was a valid legal basis for the arrest or testing demand
• Any procedural errors that could undermine the Crown’s case

Even if your readings 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 (not guilty verdicts).

A DUI in Stratford or Perth County can follow you for life. The earlier we are involved, the more defence options you may have. Call 226-486-2406 now for a free, confidential case review.