Media Acumen

A drug-testing device approved last fall turns back positive test results for opiates after merely eating a substance that has so far never faced legal sanctions in Canada: a poppy seed muffin from Tim Hortons. The Dräger DrugTest 5000 was approved by the justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to help combat impaired driving. But the approach

A B.C. man has been found guilty of distracted driving for wearing his earbuds behind the wheel, even though his phone was out of battery and properly stored in the centre console of his vehicle. … According to Vancouver lawyer Paul Doroshenko, the crux of the problem was the fact that Grzelak’s earbuds were connected

Two men facing multiple drug trafficking and weapons’ charges are walking free after a B.C. judge ruled Vancouver Police violated their rights on several occasions. … Vancouver criminal lawyer Paul Doroshenko said the judge made the right decision in dropping the charges. “The police should have known better,” he said. “Many people would think we

A B.C. law firm has begun testing the breathalyzers used across B.C for accuracy. John Hua reports on why it wasn’t easy to get the devices. … John Hua: “Out of the courtroom and on to a forklift, this is a payload a decade in the making for Criminal Defence Lawyer Paul Doroshenko.” … Paul

Sports car enthusiasts in Vancouver are crying foul after receiving vehicle inspection notices, claiming they’re being harassed by police officers. They say many who drive sports cars are being pulled over and given a vehicle inspection notice, which requires them to take their vehicle to a mechanic to address any safety concerns. Eddie Clark, who

Fears of massive spikes in the number of drugged drivers under a legal cannabis regime have so far failed to materialize with marijuana now being legal in B.C. … Paul  Doroshenko: “We never expected a flood of cases because in other jurisdictions where they legalized cannabis they have not had a flood of impaired drivers.

Police now have the power to demand a breath sample from anyone. Before, police had to have reasonable suspicion that someone was impaired either the smell of alcohol or drivers slurring their words. Now, the federal government made these changes to bring the law in line with drug-impaired driving laws that were recently reformed. The stronger

New impaired driving laws come into effect today. From now on, police officers throughout the country can demand a roadside breath test from any driver. the breath sample will be mandatory. police gonna ask for it even if they have no reasonable suspicion that someone has been driving. some lawyers think the new rule is

Canada’s new impaired driving laws kicked in Tuesday, giving law enforcement new powers when it comes to interacting with drivers. The new laws will give police officers the authority to demand breathalyzer tests from any driver they pull over.  Previously, officers could only test drivers if they had a reasonable suspicion the person was impaired.

Stricter drunk driving laws come into effect in Canada today. We speak to impaired driving lawyer Paul Doroshenko on the concerns he has about what these new rules mean. … “Well, first of all, the new probation which they call random breath testing is unconstitutional. The previous scheme we had where the police need to

As of midnight, police no longer need a reason to ask drivers they think could be drunk or high for a breath sample. The overnight change in Canadian law that some critics are calling unconstitutional also ensures those caught behind the wheel while impaired will face steeper fines and a higher risk of jail time.