DUI & Impaired Driving

The first thing you must do if you’ve been pulled over and accused of an offence is to show the officer your drivers’ license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. This action is required by law and refusal to do so may result in a heavier charge.
The second thing to keep in mind also is if asked, you must blow into an Approved Screening Device (ASD) or breathalyzer. In Alberta, if you fail to provide the officer with a breath sample, your licence will be automatically suspended.

Unfortunately, many people just accept the driving charges against them and pay the fine, take the demerit points, or do the time without question.
The right criminal defence and impaired driving lawyer can change all that.
With years of experience defending against driving charges, we know all the technicalities of Alberta’s traffic laws, whether it’s a severe criminal charge or a simple speeding ticket. We’ve helped hundreds of clients to reduce their sentences, appeal charges, and even had charges dropped entirely. We can help you too.

Alberta uses a 10-year look-back period for repeat offenders and impaired driving convictions. This is among the longest in Canada and can affect how the courts will judge your case even if years have passed since your first conviction.

You can generally expect to take two and a half to seven months from when you put in your plea for your impaired driving case to go to trial. This period may depend on several factors regarding your case. During this time, our impaired driving and DUI lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your charge and put together a solid argument to defend you in court.

First-time offenders will face a mandatory minimum fine of $1000 for a BAC of 0.119 or 5ng of THC or any other prohibited substance within two hours of driving.

In Alberta, you will also face an immediate suspension of your license for up to 90 days and a one-year requirement to drive with an ignition interlock device or a “car breathalyzer”. Your car may also be impounded during the first three days of being issued your impaired driving charge.

Second-time offenders will face a mandatory minimum of imprisonment for 30 days or more.

In Alberta, you will face the same immediate license suspension and the impoundment of your vehicle for up to seven days. In addition, a criminal conviction will also result in a three-year requirement to participate in the ignition interlock device program.

Third-time offenders will face mandatory imprisonment for 120 days up to 10 years, depending on the severity and circumstances of the impaired driving charge.

If you have any questions concerning the fees you’ve been charged with following your DUI charge, please call our expert and knowledgeable lawyers and book your free no-obligation consultation.

At Martin G. Schulz, we greatly encourage that you find suitable representation for your impaired driving case should you choose to challenge it in court.

If you are found guilty of your first-time offence, you may experience the following:

• Suspension of your license for up to one year. If you are found to be driving while suspended, you will face additional extensive fines and even jail time
• Requirement to participate in the ignition interlock device program for one year. During this period, you will also be responsible for the installation cost, monthly fees, and removal fees for the device
• Increased insurance rates