If you’ve been cited for impaired driving, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) in the Nanaimo and Vancouver Island area, including surrounding areas like Ladysmith, Qualicum Beach, Lantzville, and Robert’s Creek, it is important to treat them with the utmost seriousness. While it might be tempting to see motor vehicle and driving offences as ‘unserious’ or lesser crimes, a conviction can still have severe, life-altering consequences on your movement, career path, and much more.

Engaging a criminal defence lawyer with experience in defending driving offences will help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case. The Sarah Leamon Law Group proudly offers reliable, knowledgeable legal guidance for the wider British Columbia area, with an established track record in defending and mitigating driving-related offences.

Navigating the legal system, and successfully presenting your case at the provincial courthouse for Nanaimo and Vancouver Island (35 Front Street), will require a thorough and in-depth understanding of Canada’s criminal code and applicable driving laws. But you don’t have to face it alone. Let our team of skilled criminal defence lawyers guide your case to the best possible outcomes today.

Defending Motor Vehicle Offences in Nanaimo: How Sarah Leamon Law Group Can Help

Motor vehicle offences are a specific practice area of law covering everything from relatively harmless misdemeanours like careless driving right through to the serious and criminal charges associated with dangerous driving, DUIs, and the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP). You may face life-altering consequences, like vehicle impounding, license suspensions, and even a criminal record that will have knock-on impacts on your career and future. Your rights and freedoms must be protected through the entire legal process.

Sarah Leamon Law Group offers personalized care and legal guidance we have used to defend our clients from Day One until the resolution of the case. If you are facing prosecution for driving offences, it’s time to protect your legal rights and engage an experienced defence lawyer to help you. Remember, law enforcement and the Crown will do everything in their power to build a successful case against you. We will ensure all possible aspects of the case are considered, including:

• Understanding the charges you are facing: What exactly are you being charged with? Is the evidence lawfully gathered or contestable in court? Without expert analysis of these key facts, you cannot construct a successful defence.
• Testing legality and reliability: The core of most motor vehicle charges is the breathalyzer test. These sensitive devices need to be correctly calibrated and handled. If there was any issue in the maintenance of the device or the way it was administered, you may have grounds to challenge the results.
• Your legal rights: Access to informed legal counsel is a Charter Right in Canada. If you were denied this, you could have grounds to challenge your charges due to this infringement.
• Considering plea negotiations: Depending on your case specifics, negotiating a plea may be in your best interests, and this will need skilled legal guidance. DUIs, for example, may allow you to plead to a lesser charge with less impactful consequences. Of course, some driving offences (like an IRP) cannot be pled, but it is worth considering where viable.

Understanding DUIs and IRPs in the Greater Nanaimo Area

In British Columbia, driving offences, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP), are serious matters that are addressed under the province’s strict motor vehicle laws.

Driving Under the Influence/ DUI

In British Columbia, it is an offence to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, hence the alternate name for this offence- impaired driving. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If your BAC is at or above this limit, you can be charged with DUI.

Penalties for DUI can include fines, license suspension, mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs, and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence and whether it is a repeat offence. Being found guilty of impaired driving can trigger a lifelong criminal record, and is a federal crime.

Immediate Roadside Prohibition/ IRP

An IRP is not, in itself, a criminal charge or driving offence. The IRP program is a part of expanding efforts to deter and penalize impaired driving in British Columbia. If a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle is affected by alcohol or drugs, they can issue an IRP.

The IRP includes an immediate roadside driving prohibition, and the driver may face additional penalties such as vehicle impoundment and fines. Drivers who receive an IRP are typically subject to severe administrative penalties, and they may have their driver’s license suspended or their vehicle impounded. Additionally, IRPs can only be contested within a short timeline, are often used to gather evidence for federal offences, and can limit both your time to respond and even your legal rights.

Things to Know About These Charges:

Penalties for DUI and IRP offences can include fines, license suspensions, mandatory ignition interlock programs, and potential imprisonment. Repeated offences will lead to more severe penalties. Additionally, if your blood alcohol concentration is under question, you should know that British Columbia operates a ‘warn range’ for BAC levels between 0.05% and 0.08%. Drivers in this range may face immediate consequences, such as vehicle impoundment and license suspension.

Other Driving Offences Sarah Leamon Law Can Assist With

While DUIs and IRPs are some of the most common motor vehicle offences Sarah Leamon Law assists with, we can also help clients across BC with other driving charges, including:

• 90-day prohibitions
• Dangerous driving
• Warn range BAC charges
• Driving prohibition letters
• Driving while prohibited charges
• Notices of intent to prohibit
• Violation tickets

Testimonials and Wins

At Sarah Leamon Law, we are delighted to offer our clients personalized and efficient representation, ensuring the best possible results while safeguarding their legal interests throughout the process. Over the years, we have diligently cultivated client trust and a strong reputation, earning recognition from clients, colleagues, and even the courts. It brings us great pride to highlight our track record of achieving excellent outcomes in a diverse range of dangerous driving cases, regardless of severity.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

Having legal action taken against you can be a scary time, but the Sarah Leamon Law Group will help you achieve the best possible outcome from your impaired driving or dangerous driving charges. Let us help you build the best possible defence with a free initial consultation today.