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Vancouver Impaired Driving Defence Lawyers

Law Firm Fighting Charges of Drinking and Driving in British Columbia

People investigated for drunk driving may be charged with the criminal offences of Impaired Driving and/or Driving Over .08. Police normally recommend both of these DUI charges. When a person refuses to provide a breath sample, they can be charged with Refusal. The penalties for all three offences are the same. For a first offence, there is a minimum $1000 fine and a one year driving prohibition. The resulting conviction may cause problems with criminal record checks and with crossing international borders.

The new Motor Vehicle Act legislation in British Columbia causes additional problems for those convicted of Criminal Code impaired driving offences. At the end of driving prohibition, offenders are required to complete the Responsible Drivers Program and to install and maintain an ignition interlock device on any car they drive for 12 months.

Whether or not a person is charged criminally for a drunk driving offence, police in BC can now impose an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) for three to 90 days. This involves vehicle impoundment and a strict driving prohibition, the length of which is determined by the person's driving record and whether they blew a warn or a fail on the roadside breath screening device.

The laws involved in DUI cases are complex. Charter rights, such as the right to consult a lawyer upon detention come into play in almost every case. Our lawyers have more than 18 years experience navigating our way through these cases for people in the Lower Mainland and throughout British Columbia. We are skilled, hardworking and dedicated in helping you achieve the best possible result with your drinking and driving case. Our goal is to help you avoid conviction and to keep you driving.

In one of our recent successes (R. v. H.B. in Vancouver Provincial Court), our client was charged with impaired driving and refusing to take a breath test. At issue was whether our client's rights were violated during the traffic stop. We convinced the Crown to grant a stay of proceedings. No jail time.

Defence Against Other Driving Charges

We defend against all driving charges, including dangerous driving and Motor Vehicle Act charges such as Driving While Prohibited and the new Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) offences. We assist clients facing Motor Vehicle Act driving prohibitions and fines. We understand that, for most people, it is imperative to do everything possible to prevent a driving prohibition.

Start With a Free Initial Consultation

To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Vancouver impaired driving defence lawyers, call 877-467-1804 or contact us via e-mail.

Recent Successes | Click to View
  • January 25, 2012
    R. vs. V.K. - Richmond Provincial Court
    Charges: Theft Under $5000 (from employer).
    Issue: Whether it was contrary to the public interest for Mr. Mines' client to be granted a conditional discharge.
    Result: After hearing Mr. Mines' submissions, the Court granted a 9 month conditional discharge. No criminal conviction .
  • January 24, 2012
    R. vs. G.L. - RCMP Investigation
    Charges: Importing Child Pornography.
    Issue: Whether Mr. Mines' client had knowledge of the material found by customs officers on a computer hard drive that he brought into Canada.
    Result: Mr. Mines was able to steer his client through the investigation with no charge being recommended by police.
  • January 5, 2012
    R. vs. B.T. - Port Coquitlam Provincial Court
    Charges: Theft Over $5000 (from employer).
    Issue: Whether jail was the appropriate sentence for this breach of trust case which involved a theft of almost $70,000.
    Result: Mr. Mines was able to persuade Crown to resolve this case on a single count of theft and to persue a joint submission for a community based sentence. The court granted an 18 month conditional sentence order. No jail.
  • January 3, 2012
    R. vs. H.B. - Vancouver Provincial Court
    Charges: Assault x2; Unlawful Confinement.
    Issue: Whether the Crown could prove the confinement charge and whether it was in the public interest for Mr. Mansoori-Dara's client to be granted a discharge.
    Result: Mr. Mansoori-Dara was able to persuade Crown counsel to stay the confinement charge and one of the assault charges. After hearing Mr. Manoori-Dara's submissions,the Court granted his client a conditional discharge. No conviction
  • December 30, 2011
    R. vs. A.M. - Richmond Provincial Court
    Charges: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine & Marijuana).
    Issue: Whether the police conducted a lawful arrest and search of the vehicle in this "dial-a-dope" case.
    Result: On the second day of trial, Mr. Mines made successful application to have the drug evidence (worth approximately $15,000) excluded on the basis that the search was unlawful. All charges dismissed. No criminal record.
Michael Mines - Profile Reza Mansoori-Dara - Profile
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