DUI Lawyer – Kingston, ON

Impaired Driving in Kingston, Ontario: Get The Legal Help You Need

Kruse Law should be your first call after you’ve been charged for Driving Under the Influence.

The risk of a DUI conviction is serious and requires a lawyer with the knowledge and experience to act on your behalf. Our legal team has defended thousands of people charged with DUI criminal offences, including impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08, refusing to provide a breath sample, and more. Not only do we know the defence strategies employed to defend against DUI charges but we have extensive knowledge of police procedures, impaired driving laws in Ontario, and Charter rights.

Please reach out to Kruse Law for a free consultation to discuss the unique details of your impaired driving case today.

Why Choose Kruse Law To Be Your Kingston DUI Lawyers

When your future and driving record are at stake, you want an experienced legal team working on your DUI case. Here is why hiring Kruse Law may be the best decision you make when taking on the evidence against you.

• Strong Knowledge Base: Our legal team understands the complexities of DUI laws in Kingston, Ontario.
• Receive Much-Needed Help: Have the legal process explained to you as it happens, and be fully informed of potential penalties as well as how a DUI case is moving along.
• Personalized Approach: When we take you on as a client and you take Kruse Law on as your DUI legal team, we treat you as a friend and provide the attention you deserve while handling your case.
• Legal Experience: Our DUI lawyers have been involved in thousands of DUI cases. We know how to strategize with laws, regulations, and procedures specific to Kingston, Ontario.
• From Negotiation To Court: While we make every effort to be open to negotiations and fair plea bargains and are highly skilled in these areas, if your case progresses to requiring court representation in a trial, you are in good hands with our legal professionals. We are ready.
• Results: Kruse Law has a winning track record, and our team is dedicated to finding the best possible defence and outcome for your specific case.

Consequences Of A DUI Charge In Kingston

A DUI conviction has immediate and long-term penalties that span not only the legal space but your finances, employment, and personal life as well.

Legal Consequences Of A DUI

A first offence DUI will see a minimum 1-year license suspension. If it’s a second offence, this extends to three years. For all subsequent offences, you risk a potential lifetime driver’s license suspension.

Following the reinstatement of your license, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device for a probationary period.

In addition to fines, beyond your first offence, a DUI conviction in Kingston may carry mandatory jail time. A second offence will land you a minimum of 30 days in jail and a third offence means a mandatory minimum of 120 days in jail.

Participation in a mandatory alcohol education and treatment program is often required with a DUI conviction.

Above all else, a DUI is recorded on your permanent criminal record and remains there for the rest of your life.

Financial Consequences Of A DUI

After a DUI conviction, the immediate financial consequence is a fine. A first offence DUI fine is a fine of minimum $1,000 – $2,000 and for subsequent convictions, you are looking at being fined thousands of dollars.

Long-term insurance rates will rise. Premiums often dramatically increase by as much as three or four times what you were previously paying.

There also may be fees and expenses tied to registering in an alcohol treatment program and for the ignition interlock device.

If you hire a DUI defence lawyer – and you should – you are looking at legal fees as well.

A DUI conviction may result in a job loss and subsequent difficulty in finding employment because now you have a criminal record. For roles that require driving or a background check, as many do, you will have to either revisit the topic of having been convicted of Driving Under the Influence or, most often, be rejected outright by potential employers. If you are in a regulated profession requiring you to carry a license, this can also be legally revoked or suspended due to a conviction. This does not even address the fact that a suspended driver’s license makes getting to and from work a lot more difficult.

Personal And Social Consequences Of A DUI

If you like to travel outside of Canada, travelling will be a whole new experience with a DUI conviction. Countries, such as the United States, may deny you the right to enter because you now have a DUI record.

The stigma of a DUI is also real. If word gets out, it can affect relationships and how you’re perceived by others. A DUI may also impact your community standing if you are actively engaged in community issues.

What is not often discussed from a DUI legal standpoint is how it impacts one’s family and mental health. The legal battles, financial burdens, and restricted mobility add significant stress to your daily life and can create tension with other family members. Even if you do not live with family, from a personal perspective, all the stress and anxiety surrounding a DUI falls on your shoulders and, for many individuals, has a serious impact on their mental well-being.

Legal Process For DUI Charges In Kingston, Ontario

Arrest And Release

After being pulled over and subjected to a breath test, if you are charged with Driving Under the Influence, you will be arrested and either released with conditions or be required to post bail.

First Court Appearance

You will be scheduled to make your first appearance in court where you will be formally informed of the charges against you.

Disclosure

Disclosure is a process wherein the Crown provides evidence of a DUI, including police reports and test results.

Negotiations Or Trial Preparation

When you hire a DUI lawyer at Kruse Law, we will do everything within our power to avoid a trial and secure a resolution before it progresses to that point. In trial preparation, we may negotiate with the Crown to reduce charges. If this request is denied, we proceed to trial.

Resolution

In court, you may end up with a plea deal, dismissal, or trial verdict, depending on your specific case and the strength of the defence argument presented.

Why It’s Important To Act Quickly And Hire A Kingston DUI Lawyer At Kruse Law

Schedule a free consultation at Kruse Law as soon as you can after you have been arrested for a DUI. Act quickly. The sooner an experienced DUI lawyer gets to work on your case, the more time there will be to prepare the strongest possible defence.

An early intervention allows your DUI lawyer to waste no time in analyzing evidence for errors or Charter rights violations. As we delve further into the details of your case, your lawyer will put together an effective defence strategy that protects your driving privileges and public reputation.

Any penalties presented in a DUI charge can often be mitigated with a highly skilled Kingston DUI lawyer at your side.

If you are being charged for impaired driving, seek legal representation immediately. Don’t let time go by without having made that initial call. The stakes are high. With any DUI or impaired driving case, your team at Kruse Law is determined to get the best possible result and outcome. Every case is unique.

Contact us at Kruse Law today for a free no-obligation consultation for insight into where we can get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have blown over on a breath test, will I automatically be found guilty of a DUI?

No, you will not be automatically found guilty. If you believe this, talk to a lawyer immediately. The results of a breath test are not guaranteed to be accurate. The reality can be a lot more complicated. Have a lawyer review all paperwork provided to you to make an informed opinion on how to move forward. A DUI case may not be as strong as you suspect when a DUI lawyer reviews it with you.

What should I expect from a free consultation with Kruse Law?

A first consultation with a DUI legal professional at Kruse Law is always free and carries no obligation. If you are not satisfied with our services or strategy, you do not have to hire one of our DUI lawyers. That said, all information in a free consultation stays privileged and confidential. We’ll discuss your case in-depth with you, go over any related documents you may provide, answer questions, and provide an accurate perspective on how to move forward facing the charges you are facing.

Can you appeal a DUI license suspension in Ontario?

Yes, you can appeal a DUI license suspension in Ontario, however, you must act quickly. Seek legal help immediately to determine how to appeal the decision. It may be possible to have your suspension reduced if you are prepared to pay all outstanding fines and fees, comply with any court-mandated alcohol treatment programs, and fulfill all obligations to the courts.

How long does a DUI conviction stay on my record in Ontario?

A DUI conviction in Ontario remains on your criminal record indefinitely unless you receive a record suspension, aka a pardon. To receive a record suspension, you must apply to the Parole Board of Canada and the waiting period for approval can be five to ten years after your conviction, depending on the circumstances.