If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in BC, your heart is probably racing, and your mind is doing the same with thoughts of what this means for your future and your freedom. The good news is that there’s still a chance to fix this situation and get your life back on track. Here are some critical strategies to give yourself a good chance at beating your DUI charges.
Hire A DUI Lawyer
The first and most important step is hiring an experienced lawyer specializing in DUI cases. Then, you can be confident they’ll have the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively defend you in court and negotiate on your behalf. A good lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Jerry Steele is known as one of the top DUI lawyers in BC. He has a proven track record of successfully defending his clients and achieving favourable outcomes. With years of experience, he knows the ins and outs of DUI law in BC and will fight aggressively to protect your rights.
Possible Defences to DUI Charges in BC
It’s also constructive to be aware of the potential defences against the charges you’re facing. Fortunately, if you hire Jerry Steele, he will already know all of these and be able to determine which defences might apply to you and your case.
Some of them include:
- Illegal Stop: Police must have reasonable and probable grounds for arrest. Lack of such grounds could render evidence, including BAC testing, inadmissible.
- Last Drink Defence: If arrested shortly after consuming alcohol, the Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reading might reflect alcohol in the stomach, not the bloodstream. This defence is particularly relevant if stopped right after leaving a drinking establishment, especially if police followed from suspicion of impaired driving.
- Testing Time Frame: Breath test accuracy requires testing within two hours of driving. Any test conducted beyond this timeframe is invalid under the Criminal Code of Canada.
- Certificate Requirement: A technician must furnish a BAC certificate promptly. Failure to prove timely presentation might lead to dropped charges.
- Right to Counsel: Canadian law grants the right to legal counsel at the earliest opportunity; failure to provide this opportunity may lead to dropped charges.
- Faulty Breathalyzer: Inaccurate results may stem from improperly operated, maintained, or calibrated breathalyzer machines.
- Discrepancies in Officer Observations: Officers’ differing opinions on impairment or inconsistent statements can result in charges being dismissed.
- Insufficient Evidence of Impairment: Witness testimony corroborating impairment is necessary for a DUI conviction. However, the accuracy and admissibility of such testimony can be challenged in court.
Contact Jerry Steele
Don’t face DUI charges alone. If you or a loved one has been charged with impaired driving, contact experienced criminal defence lawyer Jerry Steele for a free consultation. With his knowledge and experience in BC DUI law, he can help defend your rights and fight for a positive outcome.