According to research< , an average of 10 criminal charges and provincial short-term licence suspensions are laid for alcohol or drug-impaired driving every hour in Canada.
If you’ve been thus charged with one, our DUI lawyer in Brampton can help.
Remember, the possible legal penalties can be serious, even for a first-time offender. How serious? Keep reading to find out.
Possible Legal Penalties for a First-Time DUI Offence
An impaired driving conviction has serious consequences. It can follow you for the rest of your life by impacting your employment prospects, immigration status, and freedom to travel. Even a first offence has serious consequences.
Fortunately, our DUI lawyer in Brampton can protect your rights and will work and try to ensure that the possible consequences don’t impact the rest of your life.
If you are a first-time offender, you may not know Ontario’s impaired driving laws , let alone what to expect or how to proceed with a first DUI offence. Let’s discuss some of the possible consequences of a first-time DUI in Ontario.
1. Monetary Penalties and Costs
If you are charged with a DUI and found guilty, a fine is a likely consequence. The mandatory minimum fine for a first-time conviction of impaired driving in Canada is $1,000 and $1,500 if the samples are elevated. This amount does not include fees for impound and towing, treatment programs, or licence reinstatement.
In addition, from the moment of your criminal conviction, insurance companies will consider you a high risk. You will also face significantly higher insurance rates – that is if you can get insurance.
2. License Suspension
License suspension is another possible legal penalty if convicted. With the immediate roadside sanctions rules that have been introduced in Ontario, the drunk driving laws here are becoming progressively strict. This means that the driver will receive an immediate roadside licence suspension of 3, 7 or 30 days (depending on whether it is the first, second, or third time) if:
- The driver refuses to submit to a breath test.
- A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 50-79 milligrams is recorded in the breath test.
For BAC readings of over 80 milligrams, the driver will be arrested and charged with driving over the legal limit.
3. Criminal Record
Under Section 320.19 of the Criminal Code, you can be jailed for up to two years on a first-time DUI/impaired driving or for a refusal to take breathalyzer test in Canada. That can severely impact your life, especially when applying for jobs or in instances where you must undergo a background check.
In Canada, all criminal records under DUI charges are listed on the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) website and police database. You can apply for the elimination of a DUI conviction from a background check, a record suspension, or a pardon, but it will take a minimum of five years. Remember that a DUI conviction can remain on record for 10 years, and you may face even harsher consequences. You can apply for a pardon but it is not guaranteed. Also, the conviction will remain on your record for life unless you get a pardon.
Get Help from Our DUI Law Firm in Brampton
If you’ve been arrested for a first-time DUI, reach out to Saini Law. Your case will be reviewed in detail to pursue the lowest possible penalty. A first-time offence could have a major impact on your life, but we can minimize that impact to get your life back on track. Contact us for a free consultation.