In British Columbia, impaired driving offences are governed by the Criminal Code of Canada. If you’re charged with impaired driving under the Criminal Code, you face significant penalties, including a criminal record, fines, driving prohibitions, and even jail time. This refresher provides an overview of the key offences, penalties, and what you can expect if […]
In British Columbia, the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) program plays a significant role in addressing drinking and driving offences. This system operates alongside the criminal process and offers law enforcement a fast and effective tool for dealing with drivers who blow a prohibited reading on an Approved Screening Device (ASD) or refuse to comply with
The phrase “lawyer told me not to talk to you” has become more than just a simple piece of legal advice; it has evolved into a symbol of how individuals should protect themselves when they find themselves in tricky legal situations. In many countries, including Canada, the right to silence is one of the most
Why Lawyer Told Me Not to Talk to You Continue Reading »
Revelations last week from an internal RCMP investigation exposed troubling allegations of racist, sexist, and homophobic behavior among a group of Mounties in Coquitlam, B.C. According to documents obtained by the CBC, members of a private chat group allegedly made derogatory comments about women, mocked victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and joked about
Racism and Misconduct in the RCMP: Undermining Charter Equality Rights Continue Reading »
When police officers seize property during the course of an investigation, certain legal procedures must be followed to ensure that the rights of the individuals involved are protected. One of the key documents in this process is Form 5.2, which must be filed by the police to report seized items. Along with this, individuals should
The Importance of Form 5.2 and Why You Should Contest a Section 490 Application Continue Reading »
It’s a common assumption that when a senior police officer is involved in a case—whether it’s a DUI, an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) case, or a criminal driving offence—their years of experience mean the investigation will be flawless. People often believe that a junior officer is more likely to make “rookie” mistakes, while senior officers
Are Senior Police Officers Really Better at Conducting Investigations? Continue Reading »
In 2015, British Columbia replaced the older Alco-Sensor IV DWF, an Approved Screening Device (ASD), with the newer Alco-Sensor FST breathalyzer. Now, with over a decade of data, we can see that this change led to a significant rise in “refuse to blow” cases. But why would a new ASD cause more drivers to be
Did a New Breathalyzer Lead to More Refusals in BC DUI Cases? Continue Reading »
Back in 2000, the journey began at a law firm known as one of the hottest criminal defence firms in Vancouver. The team handled everything from theft, assaults, domestic disputes, and uttering threats to more complex cases like internal theft, drug trafficking, and conspiracy. The driving-related cases really stood out, however. Cases defending impaired driving,
The origin of VancouverCriminalLaw.com: A story of expertise and dedication Continue Reading »
In British Columbia, when the police issue a driver an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) following a drinking and driving investigation, the officer is legally required to prepare a Report to Superintendent. This report is often referred to as the police report. The obligation to write and submit this report arises from the provisions of the
The Police Report in an IRP DUI Case Continue Reading »
In Canada the police need a reason to pull people over. They don’t need much of a reason and occasionally it appears they fabricate the reason after the fact, but it doesn’t change the fact that they need to have a lawful reason to conduct a traffic stop. Sometimes drivers seem to hand the police
Don’t Make Yourself a Target Continue Reading »
If you are charged with a criminal offence that is by indictment or has the option to proceed by summary conviction or by indictment, you will be given a document which includes both a court date and a date for you to attend to the local police station for the purposes of identification and have
What you need to know about Fingerprinting Dates Continue Reading »
Cannabis and driving safety have long been topics of concern, particularly as cannabis becomes more widely available for recreational use. Recent research in Ontario provides new insights into how cannabis edibles impact driving performance, challenging the assumption that blood THC levels are a reliable indicator of driving impairment. Study Overview The Ontario study is groundbreaking
Understanding the Impact of Cannabis Edibles on Driving Continue Reading »
