Ottawa DUI Lawyers | Kruse Law Firm

Do not let a conviction on your driving record or criminal record ruin your quality of life. It is your legal right to fight the charges and an Ottawa DUI lawyer at Kruse Law can help you. Your initial consultation with a legal professional is free. After we hear your case, we will provide you with the full scope of legal options with complete transparency on what you can expect.

Schedule your free consultation with Kruse Law today if you have been charged with a drinking and driving offence in Ottawa.

Types Of Ottawa DUI Offences We Can Help Defend Against

Impaired Driving

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which affects your ability to drive safely.

Over 80

Being charged for exceeding the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. A conviction can result in up to 5 years in jail, a mandatory minimum 1-year driving prohibition, and a permanent criminal record.

Breath Sample Failures

When you provide a breath sample on a roadside screening device or a police station breathalyzer, you may register a BAC above the legal limit, leading to charges.

Refusal To Provide A Breath Sample

Failing or refusing to provide a breath sample when requested by police is treated as an admission of guilt and carries the same penalties as an impaired driving conviction.

If you’ve been arrested for impaired driving, operating a vehicle with over 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood, or refusing to provide a breath sample, you need an impaired driving lawyer with a proven track record to fight for you.

Our lawyers take on Ottawa DUI cases, and also serve Nepean, Kanata, Gloucester, Orleans, Barrhaven, Cornwall, Gatineau, and Brockville.

Why Hiring The Right Ottawa DUI Lawyer Is Essential

Each year, the government enacts tougher laws with harsher penalties for suspected drinking and driving offenses. Don’t simply plead guilty—seek a free consultation. We can help you win your case or, at the very least, achieve the best possible outcome.

Pleading guilty without consulting an Ottawa DUI lawyer at Kruse Law can result in losing your driver’s license, facing jail time, and/or receiving a hefty fine. Your insurance rates will skyrocket, and you’ll have a criminal record that could negatively impact your future employment opportunities, as well as cross-border or international travel. The consequences of pleading guilty to an impaired driving charge are severe.

Not all lawyers practice criminal law, and not all criminal lawyers have the specialized experience needed for impaired driving cases. There’s an old saying, “Not every good criminal lawyer is a good impaired driving lawyer, but every good impaired driving lawyer is a good criminal lawyer.” Impaired driving law is a highly technical and complex area of criminal law.

Kruse Law is both an exceptional DUI law firm and a recognized criminal law firm. They are widely regarded as the DUI lawyers of choice across Ontario.

When choosing your legal representation, it’s important to compare the experience and services offered by different lawyers or law firms. This choice will directly impact the outcome of your case. The lawyers at Kruse Law specialize in impaired driving cases, with over 55 years of combined criminal trial experience.

Our DUI Defence Approach

We maintain a comprehensive approach to a DUI case, from case evaluation up to trial representation if it comes to it.

Case Evaluation

A reputable DUI lawyer in Ottawa will sit down with you to review all evidence, from the initial police contact through to your arrest and testing.

Our approach is to carefully analyze every detail to identify potential defenses. Common DUI defenses we uncover during case evaluations include the officer lacked reasonable grounds to stop you, the breathalyzer machine was faulty or unreliable, your right to legal counsel was violated, test results may have been inaccurate, and/or the officer failed to follow proper procedures.

Charter Arguments

The evidence provided on your DUI will be compared to Charter rights requirements and current legal standards.

Even if you are assumed to be guilty, you still have legal rights that must be adhered to. Individuals charged with a DUI still have the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, and protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

Plea Negotiations

To save time, costs, and risks, a DUI plea bargain is often negotiated between the Crown and our lawyers at Kruse Law to resolve your case without going to trial.

Plea negotiations may result in pleading guilty to a reduced charge, securing a lighter sentence, and/or having your charges dismissed due to a Charter violation, procedural errors, or a lack of probable cause.

Trial Representation

It is worth noting that in Ontario, nearly 60% of all DUI cases that go to trial result in a ‘not guilty’ verdict.

Should your case make it to trial, your DUI lawyer in Ottawa at Kruse Law will be ready. We have successfully represented thousands of people at trial charged with impaired driving, driving with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08, refusing to provide a breath sample, and similar DUI criminal driving offences.

What You Should Do After A DUI Arrest In Ottawa

Contact a lawyer immediately if you have been charged with Driving Under The Influence in Ottawa. Early legal advice may be key to ensuring your case is handled promptly and effectively. Following all legal advice provided as well as this can prove crucial to navigating the legal system.

Here’s what you should know about how you will want to proceed in a DUI charge scenario.

Stay Calm With The Police

Avoid arguing or resisting when interacting with law enforcement. If a police officer pulls you over and asks for a breathalyzer test, comply. Refusing a breath test can lead to serious penalties, including an immediate driver’s license suspension and a fine.

Understand Your Rights

After you are arrested, you have the right to be informed of the reason for your arrest, the right to speak to a lawyer as soon as is reasonably possible, and the right to remain silent, except for providing basic identification information to the police. You are not required to answer questions about where you were, what you were doing, or whether you consumed alcohol or drugs within a specific time frame.

Contact A DUI Lawyer In Ottawa

An experienced DUI lawyer in Ottawa is crucial to have on your side as soon as possible.

Kruse Law will work diligently to give you the best chance at a positive outcome by analyzing both technical and non-technical evidence and looking for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Document Your DUI Arrest Details

As soon as you can, while the events are still fresh in your mind, document everything you recall. Note why you were pulled over, the specific actions and behavior of the police officer, whether you were read your rights, and the procedures used for any tests.

A lawyer will review these details with you to identify possible grounds to challenge the charges.

Attend Your Court Dates

Failure to attend your scheduled court dates for a DUI can result in additional charges or penalties. Your legal team at Kruse Law will guide you through this process and ensure you’re properly represented in court.

DUI In Ottawa: Pleading ‘Not Guilty’ Or ‘Guilty’

A DUI lawyer in Ottawa should be consulted before making any decisions about how to plead. Depending on the circumstances of your case, pleading guilty or not guilty may be the best option.

Pleading not guilty is considered if you believe you are completely innocent of the charges, if there are significant weaknesses in the Crown’s evidence, or if your lawyer believes the Crown cannot prove their case against you. Not guilty means your case will likely go to trial, giving you the chance to challenge evidence, present your defense, and seek to have the charges dismissed.

Pleading guilty, on the other hand, acknowledges your responsibility and is typically considered when the evidence is overwhelming, and your DUI lawyer believes you are likely to be found guilty. Even if you feel innocent, you may be advised to plead guilty if the evidence strongly supports the charge.

Pleading guilty can show cooperation with the court, potentially leading to a lighter sentence. However, it results in a criminal record, and the penalties can be severe, including fines, a driver’s license suspension, and possible jail time.

Consult with your lawyer thoroughly before deciding whether to plead guilty or not guilty.

What Kruse Law Can Do For You As Your DUI Lawyer In Ottawa

Kruse Law will listen to your expectations, review your case, and then map out the most appropriate defence strategy for you.

Decades of combined experience in DUI defences.
An understanding of both sides of the courtroom with an extensive knowledge of Ontario DUI laws.
Personalized defence strategies that suit the unique circumstances of your case.
Proven track record of success.
Free, no-obligation consultation.

We understand that facing a drinking and driving charge can be emotionally overwhelming. We will take the time to answer your questions and keep you informed throughout your case. At Kruse Law, we treat you with respect and dignity while working diligently and tirelessly on your behalf.

For answers to your questions and assistance with your charge, contact Kruse Law.

To achieve the best possible outcome and protect your driver’s license, it’s crucial to begin your legal defense right away.

If you’ve been charged with impaired driving, DUI, or any other alcohol-related offense, you need an experienced DUI lawyer. Fill out our contact form or call Kruse Law now. We offer a free and immediate consultation within 24 hours of your call or email. The consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I always dispute a DUI?

It is your legal right to dispute a DUI charge in Ottawa. Even if you believe the evidence is concrete, contact a DUI lawyer in Ottawa at Kruse Law to sit down for a consultation. We will carefully review your case and explore all avenues to determine if there were errors made in processing, if the evidence is insufficient, or if there is an opportunity to have your charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

How long does a DUI stay on your criminal record?

A DUI conviction in Ottawa stays on your criminal record permanently unless you apply for a record suspension. A record suspension, also known as a pardon, can only be requested five years after completing your sentence. This includes serving your jail time, paying all fines, and completing any probation period.

Is there such a thing as ‘off the record’ when talking to a police officer?

No. Anything you say to the police can be used against you. Promises they make they may not honour. It is strongly recommended to contact a lawyer as soon as you have been charged with impaired driving. The police are there to collect evidence to prove the prosecutor’s case against you. Avoid making statements to the police and, instead, rely on your DUI lawyer in Ottawa to communicate for you.

Can my DUI charges be reduced or withdrawn with the help of a DUI lawyer in Ottawa?

Yes, it’s possible. The outcome depends on the specifics of your case. Charges may be reduced or withdrawn through plea negotiations or by challenging the evidence in a trial. As your DUI lawyer in Ottawa, Kruse Law can provide more information on the best defense strategy for your situation.

What are the penalties if I am convicted of a first-time DUI in Ottawa?

In Ontario, a first-time DUI conviction includes a minimum $1,000 fine, a 1-year license suspension, and mandatory participation in an education or treatment program.