Being charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or impaired driving in Ontario is a serious matter that can affect your license, your career, and your freedom. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, impaired driving charges — including driving “over 80” (blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit), refusing a breath sample, and drug-impaired driving — carry mandatory penalties even for a first offence. At Sukhvir Singh Law, we’ve represented clients facing DUI and impaired driving charges in Brampton and across the Peel Region since 2012, and we understand what’s at stake for you and your family.
What Counts as a DUI in Ontario?
Ontario law treats several situations as impaired driving offences, including:
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 80 mg or more per 100 mL of blood (“over 80”)
- Driving while your ability is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both
- Refusing or failing to provide a breath, blood, or drug sample when lawfully demanded
- Impaired driving causing bodily harm or death
- Care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired, even if the vehicle was not moving
Each of these carries its own penalties and defence considerations, and we treat every charge — including first offences — with the seriousness it deserves.
Penalties You May Be Facing
A conviction for impaired driving in Canada carries mandatory minimum penalties, which typically increase with each subsequent offence and with aggravating factors such as a high BAC reading or a collision. Consequences can include a criminal record, driver’s licence suspension, mandatory ignition interlock conditions, fines, and in more serious cases, jail time. Beyond the courtroom, a DUI conviction can also affect employment, immigration status, insurance rates, and the ability to travel to certain countries. Because the consequences extend well beyond the criminal justice system, we believe building the right defence early is critical.
How We Defend DUI Charges
Every impaired driving case depends on how the evidence was gathered and whether police followed proper procedure. We review each case closely to identify weaknesses in the Crown’s case, which may include:
- Challenging the legality of the traffic stop and whether police had reasonable grounds
- Reviewing whether breath or blood samples were taken and handled correctly, and within the legally required timeframe
- Examining whether your Charter rights were respected, including your right to counsel
- Assessing the reliability and calibration records of breathalyzer or drug-testing equipment
- Identifying procedural errors in how the demand for a sample was made
- Exploring whether the evidence supports impairment at the time of driving, not simply after the fact
Where a full acquittal isn’t possible, we also work to negotiate reduced charges or minimize penalties, aiming to protect your licence, your record, and your ability to work and travel.
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with DUI
If you’ve been stopped and charged, what you do next matters. Avoid discussing the details of your case with anyone other than your lawyer, write down everything you remember about the stop as soon as possible, and contact us before your first court date. Ontario also imposes an automatic administrative licence suspension shortly after a DUI charge, so getting in touch early can help you understand your options and deadlines.
Why Choose Us for Your DUI Defence
With over 10 years defending clients across Peel Region and the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, we bring a detailed, evidence-focused approach to every impaired driving case. Our consultations are available in both English and Punjabi, and every case begins with a free, confidential assessment where we review your charges and explain your options clearly — without judgment.
Book a Free DUI Consultation
If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI, drunk driving, or impaired driving in Brampton, Mississauga, or the surrounding areas, don’t wait to get legal advice. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and let us start building your defence.