Impaired Driving and Roadside Sanctions in Alberta
A traffic stop involving suspected impaired driving can lead to more than one legal process. You may be dealing with a criminal allegation that proceeds through the courts, an administrative driving penalty issued at the roadside, or both at the same time.
The distinction matters. Criminal charges and Immediate Roadside Sanctions have different procedures, consequences, and deadlines. The documents you received and the steps taken during the stop can help determine where your matter fits.
Impaired Driving / DUI Defence
If you have been charged with impaired driving, your matter may involve a criminal court process, a criminal record risk, and consequences for your licence, work, insurance, and future. Our criminal defence team reviews the stop, the driving evidence, the testing and investigation, disclosure, and whether your rights were respected.
The available defence strategy depends on the facts and evidence in your case. Early advice can help you understand the allegation, protect important information, and make informed decisions about what comes next.
Immediate Roadside Sanction
An Immediate Roadside Sanction is an administrative driving penalty that can begin immediately. It may involve a licence suspension, vehicle seizure, financial penalties, programming requirements, and other effects on your ability to drive.
If you received a Notice of Administrative Penalty or seizure notice, the review process has short timelines. We can help you understand the documents, identify the relevant process, and assess whether a review or other response may be available.
Which Service Applies to Your Situation?
You received a criminal charge, summons, or court date: You may need impaired driving and DUI defence advice.
You received a Notice of Administrative Penalty or seizure notice: You may need advice about an Immediate Roadside Sanction review.
You received both: The criminal and administrative matters are separate, so you may need to address both processes.
Start with the Documents You Received
Keep every document from the stop, including a Notice of Administrative Penalty, seizure notice, licence paperwork, release documents, summons, or court appearance information. Notes about what happened, when documents were provided, and what testing occurred may also be important.
If you are unsure which service you need, you do not have to identify the perfect category before contacting us. We can review the information you have and help identify the appropriate next step.
