Drunk drivers can be charged with impaired driving and driving over 80. If you have been found driving over 80, it means your blood contains over 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood at the time of blood examination. Whether charged with impaired driving or driving over 80, the offender should expect a sentence ranging from fines and license suspension to jail time. If you have been charged with a DUI offence in Edmonton, consult a DUI defence attorney in Edmonton to seek proper guidance.
A DUI offence can lead to serious sentences even if you were involved in a road accident that did not cause injuries or death. Receiving jail time for DUI is common in Canada. People involved in multiple DUI convictions get mandatory jail sentences. However, a first-time DUI offence can end up with minimum fine of $1,000.
If someone is found guilty of a second-time DUI offence, they will receive jail time of a minimum 30 days. The intensity of the sentence increases after a first-time DUI conviction. The maximum jail time an offender can get for DUI that doesn’t involve bodily harm is 5 years in prison.
Your last DUI conviction is considered even if it happened a long time ago. For example, if you’re 60 today and you were sentenced for impaired driving for the first time in your early 20s, 40 years of having an impeccable driving record won’t make a difference. If you’re found guilty of a DUI offence today, you’re likely to receive 30 days in jail.
Jail time for a first-time DUI
When a judge determines the jail time for a first-time DUI offence, they consider the aggravating circumstances which refer to factors that increase the severity of a DUI act. These situations include:
- DUI incident led to bodily harm or death
- Racing with other vehicles on a road or street
- The passenger was under 16 when the accused drove impaired
- The offender’s blood alcohol concentration was over 120 mg
- The offender was not allowed to operate the vehicle or
- The offender drove a large motor vehicle
At Slaferek Law, we help our clients avoid jail time or criminal records through proper legal representation. We strongly believe in education and counseling as these strategies help people realize what impaired driving can do to a community. Education and awareness are more powerful than putting someone behind bars. There are many examples of individuals receiving jail time for impaired driving and after completing their sentence, they repeat the same criminal activity again.
Consult our DUI criminal lawyers in Edmonton
If you’re looking for a dependable DUI lawyer in Edmonton, your search is over. We offer years of experience dealing with numerous DUI cases of all sorts. Schedule a free consultation now to discuss your case!
