Drinking and driving: Lifetime ignition interlock for repeat offenders

Recent amendments to the Highway Safety Code introduce stricter measures for drivers convicted of drinking and driving offenses. One of the most significant consequences is the lifetime requirement of an ignition interlock device for certain repeat offenders. Whether this is your first arrest or you already have prior offenses, it is crucial to understand the new rules and know how to protect yourself from the very start of the process.

Understanding the factors that worsen the situation

Certain circumstances automatically trigger additional obligations, even before a conviction:

A blood alcohol level exceeding 160 mg per 100 ml of blood
Refusing to provide a breath sample, which is treated as an equivalent offense
A history of similar offenses within the past 10 years, even if you have received a pardon

In each of these cases, you will be required to undergo a risk assessment — at your own expense. This process is now unavoidable and can influence whether you retain your driving privileges.

Situations where you might be affected

Even before formal charges, you could face strict measures if you fall into any of the following situations:

Previous offenses: If, within the past 10 years, you were convicted of a drinking and driving offense — even if you later received a pardon — you will need to complete a risk assessment at your own cost.
High blood alcohol level: If you blew over 160 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood at the time of your arrest, you face harsher penalties, including the mandatory risk assessment
Refusal to blow: If you are charged with refusing to provide a breath sample during the arrest, whether or not you eventually complied, you will still have to undergo this assessment.

Why consult a lawyer as soon as you’re arrested

The sooner you act, the better your chances of avoiding a conviction that leads to this lifetime sanction. From the moment of your arrest, our team can:

Analyze the legality of the police intervention and the evidence seizure
Challenge the results from detection devices if protocol errors occurred
Negotiate alternative sanctions or a conditional discharge, where justified
Represent you rigorously in court, highlighting the mitigating factors in your case

A well-structured defense strategy can make the difference between a lifetime of restrictions… or a successful defense.

Our Recent Successes

Over the years, Me Gagnon and his team have achieved remarkable results in defending against drunk driving charges. Here are some examples of our recent successes:

Dismissal of Charges Due to Procedural Error

Through a meticulous analysis of the case, we demonstrated that our client's constitutional rights were violated during the police intervention, leading to the dismissal of the charges.

Complete Acquittal

In a complex case, our team proved that the equipment used to measure blood alcohol levels was possibly defective, resulting in our client's total acquittal.

Sentence Reduction

In several cases, we have succeeded in obtaining significant sentence reductions by demonstrating errors in breathalyzer tests or presenting convincing mitigating circumstances.

These successes reflect our commitment to vigorously defending our clients' rights and exploring all possible avenues to achieve the best outcome.

Advantages of Working with Us