Legal Complications of a Calgary DUI and How a Defence Lawyer Can Help
Driving on Calgary's streets while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs can lead to a host of problems. The physical risks to the health and even lives of you and those around you should be your primary concern, and risks of expensive property damage should also give Calgary drivers pause. The legal entanglements of a DUI charge, and especially of a criminal conviction for impaired driving with a BAC (blood alcohol content) greater than .08, are also substantial, and can potentially follow you for the rest of your life.
A criminal defence lawyer in Calgary with experience handling DUI cases can often help you mitigate the legal fallout from an impaired driving charge, and in some cases can help you avoid a criminal record and legal penalties altogether. Here's a brief overview of what you might be up against when charged with a DUI in Calgary and how a defence lawyer might be able to help.
Automatic Penalties for a Calgary DUI
Any driver in the Calgary area and throughout Alberta faces automatic administrative penalties when arrested for a DUI with a BAC over .05, with additional automatic criminal penalties if their BAC is .08 or greater. These penalties include vehicle seizure/impounding for up to seven days; an immediate license suspension that varies in length depending on how long it takes for your criminal DUI charge to be resolved in Calgary's courts; and required attendance at courses for planning ahead, the dangers of drunk driving, and possible addiction counseling.
Remember: these penalties can kick in as soon as a DUI charge is brought against you by the Calgary police, before any trial or other finding of guilt. Calling a Calgary DUI lawyer as soon as possible can help you avoid these automatic penalties, giving you a better chance to lead a normal and productive life while your charges are pending. You are entitled to contact a lawyer as soon as you are arrested, so don't delay, make that call.
Additional Criminal Complication for Calgary DUIs
If you are charged with impaired driving with a BAC at or above .08 and your case proceeds to trial, a conviction will not only leave you with a criminal record but will also require you to install an ignition interlock device on you vehicle for a minimum of one year, with longer periods required for subsequent convictions. This means that the legal and practical implications of a Calgary DUI conviction extend far beyond the point when your case is ostensibly resolved, and indeed there can be life-long repercussions as a result of your impaired driving offence.
An experienced Calgary DUI defence lawyer will typically be able to provide you with a much better outcome than you can achieve for yourself. Knowledge of the law and familiarity with law enforcement and court procedures are you most valuable assets in any criminal defence case, and the right lawyer will have this information at their fingertips. Again, calling a DUI lawyer as soon as possible is in your best interest.
Free Consultation With a Calgary DUI Lawyer
If you or a family member has been charged with a DUI in the Calgary area, whether it is administrative only or a full criminal charge, you can speak to an experienced impaired driving defence lawyer for free. Contact Susan Karpa today for an initial consultation and get the help that you deserve.