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Getting a DUI or DWI in Canada: The Facts

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Getting a DUI or DWI in Canada The Facts

Photo by sebastiaan stam on Unsplash

Sadly, the leading cause of injury and death in Canada is caused by impaired drivers. Just four years ago, police reported more than 69,000 impaired driving incidents – 3,500 of those were drug-impaired driving incidents.

Unfortunately, those deadly numbers have not improved in any significant way over the last few years.

The Difference Between DUI and DWI

Very often, there are different and nuanced meanings between DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while intoxicated). The closest similarity? Having either one of those nasty little three-letter abbreviations on your driving record is harmful not only to your driving record but to your reputation and your future, as well.

  • DUI typically refers to driving under the influence of alcohol; it can also refer to driving under the influence of drugs
  • DWI refers to driving while impaired or intoxicated; the minutiae of the definitions vary from (province to province)

Either way, a DUI or DWI charge occurs when a police officer deems a driver too impaired to safely operate a vehicle.

Impairments are caused by

  • Drug use
  • Alcohol use
  • Falling asleep behind the wheel of a car or other vehicle
  • And other (factors)

Note that, much like their definitions, DUI and DWI regulations and laws can differ depending on the rules of each Canadian province and territory. That’s why it is crucial to call a law firm that specializes in DUI and DWI cases, such as Jaswal & Krueger.

What Are the Penalties for DWI or DUI Arrests?

In Canada’s criminal code, driving a vehicle while under the influence of any drug or alcohol is very strictly prohibited and the level of impairment makes little to no difference in the eyes of the law.

Those who are caught driving under the influence face penalties ranging from a fine with a mandatory minimum amount to life in prison, depending on the offence’s severity (for example, if someone was caught fighting sleep behind the wheel or if there was an accident where someone was killed or maimed).

In addition to impaired driving offences, other offences exist which relate directly to specified prohibited levels of alcohol, cannabis or other specific drugs found in a person’s blood within two hours of getting behind the wheel of a car or other vehicle.

How to Deal With a DUI or DWI Conviction

How someone moves forward with a DUI/DWI conviction is vital to their future. That is why it is vital to hire an attorney that is experienced in DUI/DWI cases – and that knows his or her way around the details of this type of conviction!

The amount of money paid for retaining such lawyers and law firms is dependent upon various considerations, such as:

  • The number of required trial dates
  • The number of reports and witnesses and other disclosures
  • Whether or not the attorney advises having a toxicologist or investigator help with the case

How much time is spent, overall, on the case.

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