If you’ve just been charged with a first DUI in British Columbia, the fear of going to jail is probably near the top of your mind. Let’s address it honestly: for most first-time offenders, jail is not the outcome. But the situation is a lot more nuanced than that. The Minimum Penalties for a First […]
Will I Go to Jail for My First DUI in BC? What Actually Happens Continue Reading »
If you’ve just received an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP), you’re probably stressed, and that’s completely understandable. Many people feel anxious about calling a lawyer, especially if it’s the first time they’ve ever had to do so. We want you to know: there’s nothing to worry about. When you call us, you’ll typically be speaking with
What Happens When You Call Us About an Immediate Roadside Prohibition Continue Reading »
By Deandra Grant, J.D., M.S. (Pharmaceutical Science), Deandra Grant Law, Dallas, Texas and Kyla Lee, Acumen Law Corporation, Vancouver, British Columbia One of the most common questions DWI defense attorneys in the United States hear from clients has nothing to do with courtrooms or probation. It’s this: “Will I still be able to go to
If you’re reading this right now, there’s a good chance you’re either sitting on the side of the road or you just got home from a very stressful traffic stop. Either way, take a breath. Here’s what you need to know. Being pulled over for impaired driving in British Columbia is one of the most
What To Do If You’re Pulled Over for Suspected Impaired Driving in BC Continue Reading »
R. v. Singer, 2026 SCC 8 If police have ever shown up at your home in connection with an impaired driving investigation, you may have wondered whether they had the right to be there. Today, the Supreme Court of Canada answered that question and the answer is more complicated than either side wanted. What Happened
Police at Your Door: Know Your Rights After Singer Continue Reading »
This is one of the most common questions people ask after a DUI stop in BC: “Should I just refuse to blow?” The short answer is no. And the longer answer is still no, but it’s worth understanding exactly why. The idea that refusing a breath test somehow helps you is a myth that gets
Should I Blow? What Happens If You Refuse a Breath Test in British Columbia Continue Reading »
The first 24 hours after a DUI arrest are disorienting, exhausting, and often frightening. Here’s a clear picture of what’s actually happening during that time and what you need to be doing. The Arrest and Initial Processing When police have reasonable grounds to believe you’ve committed an impaired driving offence, either being over .08, being
24 Hours After a DUI Arrest in Vancouver: What Happens and What You Should Do Continue Reading »
If you’ve just been handed an Immediate Roadside Prohibition notice in British Columbia, you’re probably holding a piece of paper and wondering what it actually means for your life. Let’s break it down clearly. What Is an Immediate Roadside Prohibition? An Immediate Roadside Prohibition, commonly called an IRP, is a provincial driving prohibition issued by
Immediate Roadside Prohibition in BC: What It Is and What Happens Next Continue Reading »
Every year, the BC Association of Chiefs of Police publishes a traffic enforcement calendar that maps out coordinated, province-wide enforcement campaigns throughout the year. We watch this calendar closely, and we think you should too. March marks the first major enforcement push of the new year, and it comes in with two simultaneous campaigns running
Vancouver and B.C. Drivers: March Is Peak Traffic Enforcement Month Continue Reading »
We are often contacted by people who want to fight tickets that they were issued in private parking lots. We don’t deal with these cases because it never makes sense to hire a lawyer for a parking ticket. As well, unlike traffic tickets or driving offences, there is no dispute provision written into law. If
What’s the deal with paid parking lots? Continue Reading »
Governments issue driving prohibitions. In each province and territory, there is a government organization (essentially the Department of Motor Vehicles) that is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses. And of course, they also take away driver’s licenses for various reasons. Driving prohibitions can be federal or provincial depending on the type of suspension. And so, it’s
If you have a suspended license, can you drive in another province? Continue Reading »
Generally speaking, it’s not wise to try and spend your time attempting to devise a way to beat a breathalyzer. If you’ve had enough to drink such that your blood alcohol concentration is over 50 mg in 100 ml, you are not permitted to drive in British Columbia. Still, it seems to be a common
Can your breathing pattern beat a breathalyzer? Continue Reading »
