Aggravated vs. Standard DUI

A standard DUI occurs when you are found driving with a BAC over the legal limit. An aggravated DUI is more severe. This charge can arise under specific conditions like having a very high BAC, driving with a minor, driving on a highway or causing an accident.

Key Differences:

  • Standard DUI: BAC over 0.08%
  • Aggravated DUI: High BAC, child in vehicle, driving on a highway, or accident

Aggravated DUI’s often lead to harsher penalties, including longer jail terms and larger fines.

Aggravating Factors

Aggravating factors make a DUI case more serious and can lead to harsher penalties. Common aggravating factors include having a BAC significantly above the legal limit, which is 0.08% in Canada. Driving with a BAC of 0.16% or more is considered to be an aggravating factor and  will result in more severe consequences.

High speeds, reckless driving, and causing an accident also aggravate a case. If children are present in the vehicle during the DUI incident, it can further worsen the situation. Impaired driving on a highway is also considered to be an aggravating factor. Prior DUI convictions add to the severity, especially if they happened recently. Having one or more prior DUI convictions will generally result in escalating mandatory minimum jail terms. 

Aggravating factors are taken seriously by courts and can lead to increased fines, longer jail sentences, and extended licence suspensions.

 

Mitigating Factors

Mitigating factors can reduce the severity of DUI charges and penalties. First-time offenders often benefit from these factors. If the driver has a clean criminal record, it might lessen the severity of the charges. A lower blood alcohol concentration under 120 mg% is also considered to be a mitigating factor. Cooperation with law enforcement at the time of arrest also serves as a mitigating factor.

Participation in alcohol education or treatment programs can positively impact the case. Demonstrating remorse and taking responsibility for actions may also help. Courts consider these factors when determining the final penalties, potentially resulting in reduced fines or shorter jail time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Judges consider several mitigating factors. These can include a lack of prior criminal record, lower blood alcohol concentration readings, circumstances of emergency, or if you show genuine remorse. Cooperation with law enforcement and participation in rehabilitation programs may also be seen favourably.

Aggravating factors can make your sentence harsher. These include having a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC), causing an accident or injury, impaired driving on a highway and prior DUI convictions. Driving with a minor in the vehicle or refusing to provide a breath sample also count as aggravating factors.

Several circumstances could lead to stricter penalties. These include driving at high speeds, being involved in accidents, attempting to flee from the scene, and driving without a valid licence. Causing harm to pedestrians or other drivers can also severely increase penalties resulting in lengthy jail terms.

A history of DUI convictions typically leads to more severe sentences if you’re found guilty again. Repeat offences often mean higher fines, lengthy mandatory minimum jail terms and extended driving suspensions. The court views prior convictions as a pattern of risky behaviour.