Should I Get a Lawyer for My First DUI?

Charged with DUI? And wondering if should I get a lawyer for my first DUI?

Well, in short, the answer is yes. You must hire an experienced DUI lawyer in Regina to defend you – whether it’s your first DUI case or not. If convicted, you might face a driving ban, penalty, criminal record, etc.

it’s crucial to hire a lawyer for your first DUI in Canada. DUI charges can lead to hefty fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment, especially with a high BAC or harm involved.

A skilled lawyer can navigate the complex legal system, potentially reducing penalties and protecting your rights. Don’t underestimate the importance of legal representation in a DUI case.

Besides, dealing with these cases can be pretty frustrating and complicated for a normal person. And one can quickly end up getting arrested due to not taking the right call at the right time.

In the following article, we will explain all the important topics relevant to DUI in Canada that you should know.

Getting a DUI is considered a crime in Canada and can land you several penalties and punishments, especially if you have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) ranging between 0.05% and 0.079%.

The following is a list of the punishments that one can be subjected to after committing their first offence of DUI:

• You can get a fine of $1,000 along with a 30-day driving licence suspension and a 3-day vehicle seizure. This penalty applies to parties with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
• Immediate 3-day driving licence suspension and 3-day vehicle seizure with (BAC) between 0.05% and 0.079%.
• A prison sentence of up to 18 months (if there is no injury or death)
• A minimum of 1 year driving a vehicle fitted with an ignition interlock device
• Compulsory presence at an education and treatment program

In short, a DUI without causing harm comes with a lesser punishment. On the other hand, a DUI causing harm and injuries can land you several years of imprisonment and some serious penalties.

The punishments for repeating the offence are also stricter. That is, if you are charged with a DUI and end up getting a criminal record under your name, it can severely impact your life. Such as, you may have difficulty finding employment, a ban on travelling, etc.

Again, if you are not a Canadian citizen, a conviction can seriously affect your immigration status. In the worst scenario, you can be deported back to your country.

N.B: These punishments vary on the case, severity and other variables.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered a serious criminal offence in Canada, which comes with several punishments and penalties. Besides, being criminally charged for anything can haunt you for the rest of your lives, if not cleared away.

Many people think having a first DUI doesn’t affect you much. While in reality, one can end up getting 10 years of imprisonment, depending on the severity of the incident (bodily injuries, wrongful death, etc.).

From the suspension of your driving licence to getting a criminal record, hefty fines and imprisonment–a DUI can land you several punishments.

However, an experienced lawyer can help you in such a situation. From guiding you in the right direction to doing all the legal work–they will take care of everything required to clear your name.

If you are a first-time offender, you can get your driver’s licence suspended for about 1 year. On the other hand, for the second-time offender, the suspension period can range from 1 to 5 years.

Lastly, for the third time offence, it can ultimately result in a lifetime suspension, in the worst-case scenarios. And if that wasn’t enough, the insurance rates also get drastically increased upon receiving a DUI.

However, the good news is if you take some precautionary steps ahead and follow them accordingly after receiving a DUI, you can obtain your driving licence sooner than originally sentenced. You can also contact an experienced lawyer in Regina in this regard. The sooner, the better!

A DUI can haunt you down for the rest of your life by going with you everywhere you go. Many people commonly believe that first-time offences don’t remain on the record.

However, it mainly depends on the severity of the case. Based on your case, you can be sentenced to a jail term of 10 years, along with other punishments.

But if you have received a DUI on the record, you can apply for a pardon. Otherwise, it may impact several phases of your life, such as your job may get cancelled, you can get deported (if you’re an immigrant), and many more.

Hence, the smartest decision is to apply for a pardon as soon as possible with the help of an experienced lawyer.

Know More: How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record in Canada

There are tons of variables that play an active role in it. The first thing to consider is your body mass. Suppose a man weighing 250 pounds normally requires more alcohol than a woman weighing 140 pounds.

The kind of drink you intake is also extremely important and relevant. Such as, one glass of wine will certainly not contain the same amount of alcohol concentration as a beer. Besides, different kinds of beer will have varying amounts of alcohol.

Next up, another crucial factor in passing the threshold is whether you have taken it on an empty or a full stomach. For instance, if you have been drinking on an empty stomach, then obviously, the alcohol will make its way into the bloodstream much faster than on a full stomach.

Therefore, the final take from this question is there is no precise answer to this question, as there are several dynamic factors to consider.

Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offence with severe consequences. From getting a ban on your licence to fines, criminal records and imprisonment, you never know what kind of punishments you will face.

Hence, don’t take this lightly. Try to follow all rules and regulations of the road. And take legal support from an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may end up suffering more!

Hopefully, you have no more queries regarding “Should I get a lawyer for my first DUI?”

Is a First Offence DUI a Felony?

The answer is, Yes. In Canada, driving under the influence of drugs is considered an indictable offence (felony) that can land you 10 years of imprisonment, depending on the severity of the case.

Of course, it is. Otherwise, this DUI will stay with you as a shadow forever. However, if you fight it off, the ultimate benefit you will receive is to avoid getting a criminal record under your name.

If found guilty, you may face the following consequences: a fine of $ 1000, 1-year driver’s licence suspension, might need to use an interlock ignition device for a minimum of 1 year, mandatory presence at an alcohol treatment program, etc.

Yes, it does. Driving under the influence is a criminal offence in Canada. If one gets a DUI conviction and doesn’t clear it, it will come up on the record while running a background check.

Appealing for a Canadian pardon is a complicated and lengthy legal process that requires a lot of paperwork. Depending on your case, it may take around 6 to 12 months or more.