What you need to know about DUI

Summer driving season is upon us, and with it comes increased vigilance from Canadian police about enforcing drunk driving laws. Of course, by next summer, there will be a whole new set of laws surrounding driving while high – if legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes does occur as scheduled, in July of 2018.

Charges like DWI (driving while intoxicated) are always of special interest to us at Dominion Pardons and Waivers because they’re the type of charge that, like simple possession of marijuana, is often withdrawn, stayed or discharged. That means no conviction goes on the record…but what does stay on the police record, of course, is your fingerprints, photos, and court information. This can all hurt you in the future, when an employer does a criminal record check or you get stopped by Customs and Border Patrol on your way into the U.S. Your name WILL appear in CPIC, which can lead to very unpleasant consequences – especially in the case of US travel, as American customs agents don’t delve too deeply into the particulars but will merely note that you have an offense involving drugs or alcohol.

If your record is clean, amazing – keep it that way. If not, you do have recourse, even if your DUI charges were discharged or withdrawn: a file destruction, which will remove/destroy all evidence of your charges. Curious? Read on to learn the facts about driving while intoxicated and what it can entail for you criminally.

Measuring whether you are drunk or high behind the wheel

In order to be safe and protect yourself and others, it is not advisable to get behind the wheel when you have consumed any mind altering substances whatsoever. If you stick to that rule, the chances of you driving while intoxicated or impaired and harming yourself, your vehicle, or someone else, are nil! However, realistically, some consumption may occur. The question then is what level of intoxication is safe. In Canada and the United States, blood alcohol content, as measured by a breathalyzer, cannot exceed 0.08%. Some US states administer a blood test to test for cannabis intoxication; other drug tests include saliva, urine, and various physical aptitude tests that are considered accurate measures of intoxication. If you blow or test over the limit, impaired driving charges can include:

• Impaired driving
• Failure to perform sobriety tests
• Over 80 (referring to blowing over 0.08%)
• Refusal to give blood/breath samples

Penalties for DUI

Did you know that approximately 50,000 Canadians are arrested for drunk driving every single year? In many cases, the penalty is a simple fine, but depending upon the severity of the charges and whether there are priors, driving while intoxicated can also result in:

• Driving prohibitions
• Jail time
• Suspended license
• Community service

O’Neill Moon Quedado, a Toronto-based criminal lawyer, has an excellent infographic that sums up driving while drunk/high statistics and information.

The bottom line? If you have been charged with DWI, your best bet is to retain a criminal lawyer who has lots of experience handling DUI charges. However, even if you get the charges dropped and regain your standing with the DMV, the history of your charges still remains on file, which can have negative consequences when applying for certain jobs or trying to cross the border. To clear your record completely, contact us today.

Call TOLL FREE 1-888-890-1321

or fill out the online inquiry below and have a qualified agent help you see if you are eligible to clear your criminal record with a Pardon, or gain access to the United States with an Entry Waiver.