Impaired Driving Lawyer Toronto – Protect Your Licence, Record & Future
Charged with DUI, Over 80, or Refusal to Provide a Breath Sample in Ontario? Sadro Law offers expert, assertive defence against impaired driving offences.
Understanding Impaired Driving Charges in Ontario
In Ontario, impaired driving is a serious criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, and the legal consequences are swift and far-reaching. Whether you're charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, the penalties can include immediate license suspension, vehicle impoundment, hefty fines, and even jail time. A conviction also leads to a permanent criminal record, which can affect employment, insurance rates, travel eligibility, and your future.
Impaired driving is more than just “drunk driving.” You can be charged if:
- Your capacity to drive may be affected by the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or both.
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, commonly referred to as an “Over 80” charge
- You refuse or fail to provide a breath or blood sample when lawfully demanded
- You are found in care or control of a vehicle while impaired, even if the car isn’t moving
Law enforcement in Ontario uses roadside screening devices and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) to detect impairment. If they suspect you're under the influence, they may demand a breathalyzer or a drug recognition evaluation. Failure to comply with these demands can result in the same or worse penalties as a failed test.
Impaired driving offences are aggressively prosecuted, and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act imposes additional administrative penalties, such as:
- 90-day license suspension
- 7-day vehicle impoundment
- Mandatory Ignition Interlock Program
- Mandatory Back on Track education or treatment program
It’s critical to understand that a charge does not equal a conviction. There are often strong legal grounds to challenge the stop, the testing procedure, the accuracy of the equipment, or how police handled your rights. At Sadro Law, we analyze every detail of your case to build a defence that could reduce or even eliminate the charges.
Types of Impaired Driving Offences We Defend
At Sadro Law, we represent clients charged with all forms of impaired driving in Toronto and across Ontario. These charges may seem similar, but each one carries distinct legal definitions, evidentiary standards, and penalties. Whether you were stopped at a RIDE checkpoint, failed a roadside test, or refused to blow, our firm is equipped to build a strong and strategic defence. Below are the most common impaired driving offences we defend:
Impaired Driving by Drug or Combined Impairment
You can be charged with impaired driving if police believe your ability to drive was affected by cannabis, prescription medication, or other drugs, even in the absence of alcohol. These cases often rely on subjective observations and drug recognition expert (DRE) opinions. We scrutinize the DRE process, challenge toxicology evidence, and present medical explanations when appropriate.
Refusal or Failure to Provide a Breath Sample
Refusing to blow into a breathalyzer or failing to comply with a lawful demand for a roadside or station test is treated just as seriously as a failed test. However, the Crown must prove the demand was legal and that your refusal was unequivocal. Many of these cases can be successfully defended on technical or constitutional grounds.
Over 80 mg – Blood Alcohol Concentration
If your BAC exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, you may be charged with an “Over 80” offence, even if your driving appeared normal. We carefully examine how the sample was taken, machine calibration, test timing, and whether your Charter rights were violated during the process.
Care or Control While Impaired
You don’t have to be driving to be charged. Simply being in the driver’s seat with access to the vehicle’s controls can lead to a “care or control” charge, especially if you're intoxicated and the car is running or capable of being started. These charges are common in parked or sleeping scenarios, and we often argue that there was no intent or realistic risk of driving.
Impaired Driving by Alcohol
This charge applies when your ability to operate a motor vehicle is visibly impaired by alcohol, regardless of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Slurred speech, poor coordination, or erratic driving may be used as evidence. We challenge the officer’s observations, test procedures, and whether reasonable grounds existed for the arrest.
Repeat Impaired Driving Charges
Second or third DUI offences carry much harsher penalties, including mandatory jail time, longer license suspensions, and lifetime ignition interlock requirements. If you're facing a subsequent charge, we develop a defence that factors in your history while pushing for the least punitive resolution.
What Happens After You’re Charged with Impaired Driving
Being charged with impaired driving in Ontario is a serious matter, and the consequences start immediately. Whether you were charged with DUI, Over 80, or refusal to provide a breath sample, understanding what happens next is critical to protecting your licence, record, and future. At Sadro Law, we guide you through each step of the legal process with clarity and expert legal defence.
1. Immediate Licence Suspension and Vehicle Impoundment
After a DUI arrest in Ontario, you will receive an automatic 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS) under the Highway Traffic Act, even before your case goes to court. In most cases, your vehicle will also be impounded for 7 days, and you will be responsible for towing and storage costs.
These penalties apply even if you haven’t been convicted yet, which is why acting quickly with a skilled impaired driving lawyer is essential.
2. Release from Custody and First Court Appearance
Depending on the situation, you may be released from the police station with a Promise to Appear or an Undertaking, which often includes conditions like abstaining from alcohol or attending court dates.
Your first court appearance typically takes place within a few weeks. This is not a trial — it’s an administrative step where the Crown provides you with disclosure, the evidence they intend to use against you. Sadro Law thoroughly reviews this material to identify procedural errors, Charter violations, or flaws in the case.
3. Reviewing Disclosure and Building Your Defence
After receiving full disclosure, we begin crafting your defence. This may involve:
- Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
- Examining how roadside and breath tests were conducted
- Reviewing video or witness evidence
- Consulting toxicology or breathalyzer experts
Many DUI cases are won or resolved before trial by exposing weaknesses in the Crown’s case.
4. Court Process and Potential Resolution
Your impaired driving case may go through several court appearances before a resolution or trial. During this time, your lawyer can negotiate with the Crown to seek a withdrawal, reduced charge (e.g., careless driving), or conditional discharge. If a resolution isn’t reached, we prepare for trial to fight for a full acquittal.
Penalties for DUI Charges in Ontario
If you’re convicted of impaired driving in Ontario, whether for alcohol, drugs, or a combination, the penalties are immediate, severe, and long-lasting. A DUI is not just a traffic ticket; it’s a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. The consequences can affect your licence, your job, your travel ability, and your reputation. At Sadro Law, we work aggressively to protect your rights and help you avoid or reduce these penalties.
How Sadro Law Helps You Avoid the Worst-Case Scenario
At Sadro Law, we don’t wait for the Crown to set the tone. We challenge the evidence early, raise Charter arguments when your rights are violated, and negotiate for outcomes that avoid conviction, such as withdrawals or reduced charges like careless driving.
With the right defence, many DUI cases can be resolved without a criminal record, and some are dismissed entirely.
Contact Sadro Law today to speak with an experienced Toronto-based impaired driving lawyer. Your defence starts now, not later.
Our Defence Strategies for Impaired Driving Cases
At Sadro Law, we understand how high the stakes are when you’re facing impaired driving charges. A conviction can affect your licence, your career, and your future, but a charge does not mean you’re guilty. We use proven, strategic defence tactics to challenge the case against you and pursue the best possible outcome.
Whether you're charged with DUI, over 80, drug-impaired driving, or refusal to provide a breath sample, our goal is to protect your rights and limit the legal consequences at every stage.
Why You Need a DUI Lawyer Immediately
If you’ve been charged with impaired driving in Ontario, whether it’s a DUI, Over 80, drug-impaired operation, or refusal to provide a breath sample, it’s critical to speak with a qualified criminal defence lawyer right away. The earlier you act, the better your chances of minimizing the damage to your licence, your record, and your future.
At Sadro Law, we offer immediate, strategic legal support to help you take control of your impaired driving case from day one.
Early Legal Advice Can Change the Outcome
The decisions you make in the hours and days after a DUI charge can dramatically shape the outcome. We help you:
- Understand your rights and obligations
- Avoid self-incriminating statements
- Navigate early court appearances with confidence
- Preserve valuable defences by acting before deadlines pass
Even a short delay can lead to missed opportunities that could have protected your freedom.
Administrative Penalties Start Immediately
Many clients don’t realize that DUI charges trigger automatic licence suspensions and vehicle impoundment, even before a conviction. You may already be facing:
- A 90-day roadside suspension
- 7-day vehicle impound
- Mandatory driving programs and interlock conditions
We provide guidance on how to manage these consequences while preparing a strong legal response.
Protect Yourself from Long-Term Consequences
A criminal conviction for impaired driving can result in:
- A permanent criminal record
- Jail time (especially for repeat offenders)
- Travel restrictions, particularly to the U.S.
- Job loss or future career limitations
- Skyrocketing auto insurance premiums
The earlier we get involved, the more options we have to protect your future, including the possibility of negotiating a resolution that avoids a criminal record entirely.
Why Clients Trust Sadro Law for DUI Defence
When your licence, freedom, and future are at stake, you need more than just a lawyer — you need a dedicated advocate who knows how to win. At Sadro Law, we’ve earned the trust of clients across Toronto and Ontario by delivering results-driven, client-focused impaired driving defence. Whether it’s a first-time DUI or a repeat offence, we offer the legal skill, strategy, and support you can rely on from day one.
Potential Outcomes in DUI Cases
Facing a DUI (driving under the influence) or impaired driving charge in Ontario is overwhelming, but a charge does not guarantee a conviction. With experienced legal representation, there are multiple potential outcomes that may protect your licence, prevent a criminal record, or avoid jail time. At Sadro Law, we analyze every case strategically and fight for the most favourable result possible under the law.
Below are the most common outcomes in impaired driving cases we handle:
1. Charges Withdrawn
In many cases, impaired driving charges are withdrawn before trial due to issues with evidence, violations of your Charter rights, or lack of reasonable and probable grounds for arrest. If we can expose flaws in police procedures, breath test errors, or improper demands for samples, the Crown may agree to withdraw the case entirely.
Result: No criminal conviction, no licence suspension, and no permanent record.
2. Reduced Charges (e.g., Careless Driving)
Where a full withdrawal isn’t possible, we often negotiate a plea to a non-criminal offence, such as careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act. This avoids a criminal record while still allowing you to move forward with fewer consequences.
Result: Fine and demerit points, but no criminal record or jail time.
3. Conditional or Absolute Discharge
In some rare DUI cases — often involving unique personal circumstances — we may be able to secure a discharge, meaning a finding of guilt without a lasting criminal conviction. This outcome is more likely if there are significant mitigating factors and no prior record.
Result: No permanent criminal record after a brief probationary period.
4. Acquittal at Trial
If your case proceeds to trial and the Crown cannot prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt, or if we successfully challenge the admissibility of evidence, you may be found not guilty. This is the best outcome in terms of clearing your name and avoiding all penalties.
Result: Full acquittal — no conviction, no fines, and no driving suspension.
5. Conviction (With Sentencing Options)
If convicted, sentencing can vary based on your BAC level, whether it’s a first or repeat offence, and if any aggravating factors (e.g., accident or injuries) were involved. However, even in these cases, Sadro Law fights to minimize the penalties through:
- Shorter driving prohibitions
- Avoiding jail time
- Alternative sentencing strategies
Result: Conviction with reduced impact, where no other options exist.
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A Commitment to Excellence Across All Legal Services
At Sadro Law, we recognize that navigating the legal system in Toronto can be one of life's most challenging experiences. That's why we prioritize a personalized approach for each client to ensure your needs are meticulously addressed. Across our diverse range of services, whether you're dealing with criminal charges, navigating the complexities of licence suspensions, or seeking to remove a criminal record, we bring a wealth of experience and tailored strategies to the table. Our team, based in Toronto and proficient in areas such as assault and impaired driving cases, collaborates with you to develop a robust legal strategy aimed at achieving your goals. With Sadro Law, you can expect dedicated attention, expert guidance, and a steadfast commitment to securing a favorable outcome.
Your Defence Starts Here
Being charged with impaired driving can turn your life upside down. At Sadro Law, we act fast to defend your rights, protect your licence, and safeguard your future. Our experienced Toronto DUI lawyers provide immediate, strategic, and discreet legal support to challenge every detail of the case against you from the very start.
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Why Choose Sadro Law
- Toronto-based criminal defence firm
- Proven courtroom results
- Personal, compassionate guidance
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2. Our impaired driving lawyers will contact you promptly to discuss your situation.
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