Impaired Driving & DUI Lawyers
in Niagara

Rupin Bal Law Professional Corporation: Your Trusted DUI Lawyer in the Niagara Region

Rupin Bal is an Impaired Driving/DUI Lawyer serving clients in the Niagara Region, including Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland. With Rupin Bal, an experienced criminal lawyer at its helm, the firm is known for its professionalism, integrity, and client-centric approach.

Irrespective of the nature of the criminal legal issue we recognize the distinctiveness of each case and prioritize personalized attention for our clients. By actively listening to clients’ concerns, understanding their objectives, and formulating tailored strategies, we strive to achieve the most favorable outcomes possible.

By choosing us, you’re placing your legal matters in competent hands. We are committed to safeguarding our clients’ rights, offering clear and concise legal advice, and guiding them through every step of the legal proceedings. Our mission is to empower clients with the knowledge and support necessary to make well-informed decisions and create a brighter future.

If you require legal assistance for a DUI/Impaired Driving charge in the Niagara Region, contact us for a free consultation. Our experienced legal team can assist you in navigating the intricacies of Canadian law with confidence and peace of mind.

Our Niagara Criminal Driving Offence Services

DUI/Impaired Driving Charges

Intoxication and impairment does not require the opinion of a medical expert. A policeofficer or other lay person is perfectly qualified to give their opinion on whether a person appears impaired by alcohol or drugs. Opinions of police officers about a person’s level of impairment are not to be given more weight in court simply because they come from police officers.

For further information on Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and other driving related offences, contact us now.

Over 80 Charges

Unlike impaired driving, the offence of “over 80” does not require proof of impairment of any kind, only proof that the driver had a concentration of alcohol in their blood exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitres of blood. This alcohol concentration reading is usually determined from an analysis of breath samples obtained by police and processed with a breathalyser machine capable of providing such results. These results can also be obtained by testing a sample of the driver’s blood.

Refusal to Provide a Sample

Like all Drinking and Driving charges in Canada, a conviction for refusing to provide a breath sample pursuant to a lawful police demand carries a minimum fine of $1000.00 and a mandatory minimum license suspension of at least 12 months for first-time offenders. It also results in an automatic permanent criminal record for first-time offenders.

For further information on Refusal to Provide a Sample and other driving related offences, contact us now.

Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle

A conviction for dangerous driving can result in up to five years in jail. The penalty can increase to ten or fourteen years, depending on whether it causes bodily harm or death. Additionally, a person found guilty may lose their driver’s license for at least one year in Ontario, with the potential for a Canada-wide driving ban.

For further information on Dangerous Driving and other driving related offences, contact us now.

In Ontario, impaired operation of a motor vehicle refers to the act of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to the extent that one’s ability to operate the vehicle is impaired. This impairment can result from the consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription medication, or a combination of these substances.

Canadian law prohibits individuals from operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis. Impairment can be measured by various means, such as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, observed signs of intoxication, or drug testing.

The legal framework in Canada is designed to address impaired driving comprehensively, with strict penalties for those found guilty of impaired operation of a motor vehicle. These penalties can include fines, driving prohibitions, and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.

The Criminal Code provides a minimum fine of $1000 for a first offence in addition to a criminal conviction registered on your permanent record. Subsequent drunk driving convictions carry minimum jail penalties beginning with 30 days in jail for a second conviction. A third or subsequent drinking and driving offence will carry a minimum punishment of 120 days in jail.

A drinking and driving conviction will also require a mandatory driving prohibition preventing a prohibited driver from driving anywhere in for a minimum of one year, or three months in a province such as Quebec or Alberta that has an concurrent ignition interlock program. In addition to the penalties mandated under the Criminal Code, a conviction for DUI will also drastically affect your motor vehicle insurance coverage and premiums.

In Ontario, you will probably be required to insure with Facility Association, which insures high-risk drivers and exacts high premiums. For each of the three years following your conviction, Facility Association will levy a 100 per cent surcharge atop your premiums. It will impose more surcharges, up to a maximum of 250 per cent, for other convictions relating to the same incident, such as careless driving or failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Each insurance company has its own conviction surcharge schedule.

In order to establish an impaired driving charge, the crown attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired due to the consumption of drugs or alcohol. The court will examine the driver’s co-ordination, comprehension and a poor driving pattern in assessing their level of impairment.

Evidence of impairment may be proven by a combination of driving observations and physical observations of the driver. Evidence of poor or erratic driving, weaving, crossing of the centre line or evidence of a motor vehicle collision may all be used to support an inference of impaired driving. Personal observations tending to reveal signs of impairment may also be relied upon, including: an odour of alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver’s breath, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, unsteadiness, slurred speech and a lack of comprehension or response to police demands.

For further information on Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and other driving related offences, contact us now.

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Impaired Driving & DUI Lawyersin Niagara