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Impaired is our bread and butter
Our team of 13 lawyers handles over 1,000 impaired driving (and related) cases each year. Choose a team that handles these cases every day, not just the occasional case.
Thirteen lawyers, 50 paralegals, and over 1,000 cases each year involving impaired driving, Over 80, and DUI charges. When you need a criminal lawyer, experience matters.
Get My Free Consultation →Impaired driving defence
Thirteen lawyers, 50 paralegals, and over 1,000 cases each year involving impaired driving, Over 80, and DUI charges. When you need a criminal lawyer, experience matters.
Why choose X-Copper
Our team of 13 lawyers handles over 1,000 impaired driving (and related) cases each year. Choose a team that handles these cases every day, not just the occasional case.
Our team has seen it all and will fight tirelessly for your legal rights.
Our block fee structure gives you clear pricing before you proceed, with installment plans to help you plan ahead.
A clear path forward
We’ll explain the next steps and help you understand your options, one conversation at a time.
Contact our team and send us the details of your charges so we can prepare for the conversation.
Discuss the details of your case with a legal professional at no cost.
If you choose X-Copper, we’ll explain the retainer and what happens next.
Your X-Copper Defence Team will reach out and guide you through each step to build the strongest defence possible for your case.
Know what may be at stake
The consequences of an impaired driving conviction can extend far beyond the courtroom. A criminal record, loss of driving privileges, increased insurance premiums, employment restrictions, and travel complications can have a lasting impact.
Sentencing depends on the charge, prior record, circumstances, and applicable law. These are general ranges; the consequences in an individual case can vary.
Impaired operation or Over 80 may carry a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000, with higher minimums for certain blood alcohol concentrations. A first refusal conviction carries a $2,000 minimum fine.
A second conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 30 days’ imprisonment.
A third or subsequent conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 120 days’ imprisonment.
A first conviction generally includes a driving prohibition of one to three years, subject to applicable statutory provisions and credit.
Where prosecuted by indictment, ordinary impaired operation, Over 80, and refusal offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.
A conviction may also mean a criminal record, higher insurance costs, education or treatment requirements, ignition interlock conditions, and travel difficulties.
Every case is different. Defence counsel examines the police investigation, evidence, and whether constitutional rights and statutory requirements were respected.
Unlawful detention, unreasonable search or seizure, or a breach of the right to counsel may support an application to exclude evidence.
Breath demands must meet the applicable legal requirements. An unlawful demand can affect the evidence or a refusal prosecution.
Instrument records, maintenance, testing procedures, operator qualifications, and statutory compliance may require close review.
The timing of driving, alcohol consumption, and breath testing can matter to statutory exceptions and the reliability of the evidence.
Police observations must be assessed in context. Alcohol consumption alone does not establish impaired operation.
Disputes involving parked vehicles, sleeping drivers, or who was driving may raise factual and legal issues about operation.
A refusal charge may be challenged where the demand was unlawful, there was no actual refusal, or a reasonable excuse existed.
The Crown must prove every essential element of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt.
Available outcomes depend on the evidence, the law, and the circumstances of the case. No result can be guaranteed.
The Crown may withdraw charges where the evidence does not support a reasonable prospect of conviction or prosecution is not in the public interest.
An accused may be found not guilty if the Crown fails to prove the offence beyond a reasonable doubt or critical evidence is excluded.
In appropriate cases, counsel may seek a resolution to a lesser offence.
If a conviction cannot be avoided, counsel may seek the most favourable lawful sentence based on the circumstances and mitigating factors.
Eligible Ontario drivers may qualify for a program that permits an earlier return to driving, subject to provincial requirements.
Canada's leading traffic & criminal defence team. Professional, effective, and affordable representation.
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