DUI Lawyer – Pickering, ON

 

Charged With Impaired Driving In Pickering? Seek A DUI Lawyer Immediately

An arrest for Driving Under the Influence, or a DUI, can have profound consequences on your life. Beyond the stigma, you will see fines, skyrocketing insurance, and a permanent mark on your driving record and criminal record.

Take action against a potential DUI conviction by consulting the experienced legal team at Kruse Law. ]Let us take the essential steps to protect your freedom and your reputation, and to defend you against the accusations levied against you.

Our Pickering DUI lawyers are up-to-date on DUI laws and regulations in Pickering, Ontario. We bring the experience of having defended thousands of DUI cases and can assure you that you will receive the best defence to ensure the risks of a DUI conviction are mitigated, reduced, or eliminated.

If you’ve been charged with impaired driving, contact Kruse Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Anyone charged with impaired driving is strongly recommended to contact Kruse Law as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with no further obligation. Learn about your options.

 

Common Types Of DUI Charges And Impaired Driving Offences

In answering the question “What is impaired driving?” one has to look at the different types of offences often referred to as DUIs.

As a driver, you may be placed under a DUI arrest if there are any signs of impairment, such as abnormal speech patterns, red or bloodshot eyes, loss of balance and coordination, and erratic driving patterns. The degree of impairment does not need to be severe but must be evident.

If you have been pulled over on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol or another substance, a police officer may subject you to a breath test.

When you take a breath test, a BAC reading between 0.05 and 0.08 falls within the ‘warn range’ where an officer will administratively suspend your driver’s license as stipulated under the Highway Traffic Act however no formal DUI charges will be laid. When you are operating a motor vehicle and a roadside test returns a result of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or above, you will then be formally charged for Driving Under the Influence and arrested.

If you refuse to provide a breath sample or if there is a failure to provide a viable sample, this carries the same severe penalties as if you took the test and received a high BAC reading.

 

Evidence Commonly Used In Pickering DUI Cases We Can Defend Against

The Crown may put forth several pieces of evidence that our Pickering DUI lawyers are ready to evaluate and minimize based on the details we find.

• Erratic Driving Patterns: A vehicle swerving or a traffic violation can have explanations other than impairment and is not itself evidence of someone driving under the influence.
• Personal Presentation: Indicators such as slurred speech or agitation are subjective.
• Admission: Admitting to drinking does not prove impairment. There needs to be more evidence.
• Smell Of Alcohol: The smell of alcohol on a driver does not adequately determine the amount of alcohol consumed or when it was consumed in relation to operating a motor vehicle.
• Breath Test Results: A breath test is critical evidence but can be inadmissible if improperly obtained.

Strong defence strategies are essential. A DUI lawyer at Kruse Law builds their defence analyzing the legitimacy of police procedures during the arrest and testing, and evaluating the credibility of testing equipment, witnesses, and observed behaviours.

It may be possible to prove there were not reasonable or probable grounds for arrest. There may be issues with breath test accuracy. There may have been a failure to provide a person the opportunity to access legal counsel or insufficient evidence of impairment based on what is and isn’t admissible in your impaired driving case.

Do not go it alone. A DUI conviction stays on your criminal record, which is why you need a skilled criminal defence lawyer to fight for you. 

A DUI charge can be overwhelming, but our legal team will fight to protect your future, minimize the risks, and build a strong defence on your behalf. 

 

Why Hire Pickering DUI Lawyers At Kruse Law To Represent You

In-Depth Legal Knowledge

Our legal team knows Ontario DUI laws inside and out, and have a level of experience you can only receive after having worked on thousands of cases like yours.

Receive Careful Legal Advice

Receive legal advice regarding the potential consequences of a DUI charge as well as what to expect in the legal process. Kruse Law helps our clients understand their rights, how to defend their rights, the legal options available to them, and potential outcomes.

Build The Strongest Defence

When we sit down for a consultation with you, our Pickering DUI lawyers will analyze the details of your case. For our clients, we build the strongest defence. It may involve challenging the legality of the traffic stop or the accuracy of the breath test, evaluating the conduct of law enforcement officers, and questioning whether Charter rights were infringed upon.

Negotiate On Your Behalf

When/if it’s the right route to take, your DUI lawyers at Kruse Law will negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or negotiate plea bargains for lesser penalties.

Be Prepared For Court Proceedings

Our DUI legal team is prepared to represent you in court. We will handle all arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and the trial itself. We carry significant experience at presenting arguments, cross-examining witnesses, and challenging the prosecution’s case.

Expert Witness Testimony

Complex DUI cases can benefit from soliciting and including expert witness testimony in support of your defence. This may include using toxicologists, accident reconstruction specialists, and others to support your recount of events.

Client Support And Advocacy

We work hard to protect our client’s rights and strive for the best outcome with every move. Throughout the legal process, we do our best to provide clients emotional support and advocacy in the face of intimidating charges.

 

Beating A DUI Charge In Pickering Is Possible With A Criminal Defence Lawyer

An experienced DUI legal team may be able to defend your case and get your charges dropped, however, this is not always possible depending on the unique details of your case.

Where to set your expectations begins with a free consultation with a DUI lawyer at Kruse Law who can evaluate your case details and provide an outlook on how to best move forward within the Ontario legal framework.

A DUI charge can be life-altering if it results in a conviction. Attached to a conviction is a fine, driver’s license suspension, and potential jail time. Long-term, a DUI conviction will sit on your driving record and criminal record, making it harder to find jobs, earn income, travel outside of Canada, and more. These long-term consequences can significantly impact your life, making a strong legal defence crucial. 

The shame of a DUI conviction is hard to shake but the right DUI defence lawyer will ensure you have professional help to avoid it.

Every step of the way, we will be there. Kruse Law has handled all types of DUI cases, from the simple to the most complex. We always put our client’s best interests in mind and will provide you with informed answers on how to structure a defence and what path to pursue to ensure you either aren’t convicted or that the charges are reduced.

Arrested for a DUI in Pickering? Call Kruse Law for a free no-obligation consultation to get started on your defence.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common sentence for a first offence for a DUI in Ontario?

This is one of the most common Ontario DUI questions. Here is what you can expect for a first offence.

• First offence with blood alcohol content of 80-129 mg: minimum $1,000 fine
• First offence with blood alcohol content of 130-159 mg: minimum $1,500 fine
• First offence with blood alcohol content of 160 mg or more: minimum $2,000 fine
• First offence and having refused to be breath-tested: minimum $2,000 fine
• Mandatory education or treatment program
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock period of at least 9 months
• Prohibited from operating a motor vehicle of any kind within Canada for a minimum of 1 year, subject to the ignition interlock program

 

How long does a DUI conviction stay on your record in Ontario?

A DUI conviction stays attached to your driving record for three years. A DUI stays on your criminal record, however, indefinitely unless you apply and qualify for a record suspension. To be pardoned (record suspension) for a Driving Under the Influence charge, it involves fulfilling all other consequences relating to your conviction.

 

If I plead guilty, can it reduce mandatory minimum penalties for a DUI conviction?

No, mandatory minimum penalties are instituted for a reason. No judge has the legal right to reduce mandatory minimum penalties or sentences based on a guilty plea. The only way to overcome a DUI charge is to hire an experienced DUI lawyer and defend your rights in court. Analyze, strategize, and defend. This is how the team at Kruse Law does it.

 

What are the chances of being convicted of a DUI in Pickering?

Just like with any criminal charge in Pickering, a DUI conviction is only achievable if the Crown can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were in violation of the law. The burden of proof is on them. In many cases, with a strong defence guided by a DUI lawyer, the Crown finds itself unable to prove its case to the required standard.