One question our clients frequently ask during their initial consultations for impaired driving offences is whether hiring a criminal defence lawyer Brampton is really worth the costs. The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no question. It often depends on the nature of the offence, the specific circumstances of the offence, and other such details that can vary from one impaired driving offence to the next.

In general, since there are serious consequences associated with being convicted of and found guilty of an impaired driving offence, it is highly advised to retain the services of a impaired driving lawyer with experience with impaired driving cases.

Furthermore, there are several different impaired driving offences one may be charged with, such as impaired driving, driving “Over 80,” refusing to provide a breath sample, and so on. Additionally, if one gets into a car accident, they could face other related offences, especially if they injure or kill another person while under the influence.

With impaired driving offences, getting help from a qualified criminal defence lawyer could be the difference between being found guilty or potentially having the charges reduced or even dismissed. Other defences can be used with lower blood alcohol concentration offences as well, again, depending on the circumstances of your particular case and charges.

When deciding whether to hire a criminal defence lawyer, it is equally important to remember there are financial costs associated with a conviction and other such impacts. For example, if you are found guilty by indictment or summary conviction for a first offence impaired driving, you will have to pay a mandatory fine that will be at least $1,000.

Other costs associated with your impaired driving offence could include impound and towing fees, paying for a drug and alcohol awareness program, increased vehicle insurance premiums, driver license reinstatement fee, installation and monitoring of an interlock device, and others.

While your license is suspended, you could incur transportation expenses for public transport, Uber, Lyft, etc. Not to mention, the offence goes on your criminal record. You could equally face jail time.

Most importantly, the conviction could have impacts on your current and future employment opportunities. If you have to miss work because you are in jail, you could lose your job. Finding another job could be difficult because of your criminal record.

If your job requires you to travel to the United States frequently, multiple impaired driving convictions could result in being turned away at customs. Do you really want to explain to your employer why you couldn’t enter the United States?

When you take all of these things into account, and the impacts a conviction for impaired driving can have, it is easy to see why you will want to hire a criminal defence to represent your interests and prepare a strategic defence to your impaired driving charges.

If you have been charged with impaired driving, it is imperative you speak with an experienced criminal defence lawyer like Manbir Singh Sodhi as soon as possible. Please feel free to call our criminal defence law firm at (905) 457-2546 to schedule a consultation today!