Experienced DUI & Impaired Driving Lawyers in Toronto

Bytensky Shikhman Barristers DUI Lawyer / Impaired Driving Lawyers in Toronto

Charges of drunk driving, “over 80,” impaired driving, refusing a breathalyzer, or care and control are among the most complicated areas of Canadian criminal law. What may seem like an impossible case to a layperson is a case full of legal issues to the trained eye of a professional DUI lawyer.

The criminal lawyers at Bytensky Shikhman have extensive experience defending people charged with impaired driving offences. We make use of every defence available to ensure the very best possible outcome. In 2005, Mr. Bytensky became one of a very small group of lawyers to become qualified to perform screening and evidentiary testing on the Intoxilyzer 5000, the very same model used to take breath samples by every police department in Canada for many years and the direct precursor to the model 8000 now coming into service. This specialized certification provides our clients with a powerful edge in court when cross-examining police breath technicians. When interviewing DUI lawyers under consideration for your impaired driving-related case, be sure to ask them if they are certified Intoxilyzer Breath Alcohol Technicians.

Criminal Lawyers With Over 50+ Years of Experience Between Our Partners

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50+ Years of Experience Between Our Partners

We have skilled lawyers with many years of background knowledge and experience. We combine expertise with exceptional care.

24/7 Case Support

We understand that legal issues can arise at any time, which is why we offer round-the-clock support.

1,000+ DUI Related Cases Handled

Our experienced team has successfully handled over 1,000 DUI-related cases

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Articles On Drunk Driving From Our Toronto DUI Lawyers

Drunk Driving Lawyer Ed Prutschi Discusses Regulations Around “Drugged Driving” – NewsTalk 1010
Newstalk 1010’s Jerry Agar Debates Toronto Criminal Lawyer Ed Prutschi Regarding Impaired Driving Sentences – NewsTalk1010
Motorists younger than 22 can’t have any alcohol in their systems– YorkRegion.com
Ignition Interlock Regulations Come To Ontario– On Slaw.ca
Tories revive random roadside breath test– National Post
Tackling Impaired Driving … by Decriminalizing It.– On Slaw.ca
Random Roadside Breath Testing Coming To Canada?– On Slaw.ca
Ontario’s New Road Safety Act – Convictions Without Trials?– On Slaw.ca
Ignition Interlock in Ontario– Slaw.ca

**Do I need a DUI lawyer for drunk driving charges?**

The decision on whether to hire an impaired driving lawyer is up to the person charged with the offence. However, we strongly recommend anyone charged with this type of offence to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Impaired driving charges are extremely complicated, and this is a specialized area of law that requires experience and knowledge. An impaired driving lawyer can guide you through the process and help you understand the specific issues that may relate to your case.

It’s imperative that you contact a criminal lawyer experienced in DUI offences if you’ve been charged with Impaired driving.

What Should I Consider When Hiring a Toronto DUI Lawyer?

There are thousands of criminal lawyers in Toronto, and many that claim to specialize in DUI or impaired driving cases. But not all lawyers are the same. Having the right lawyer by your side as you fight DUI charges in Toronto can make a huge difference in the outcome of the case. But with all of the options out there, it can be hard to tell the good lawyers from the bad ones. These are the 4 most important qualities you should look for when hiring a DUI lawyer in Toronto.

1. Knowledge of Local DUI Laws and Regulation

It’s important you find a lawyer that specializes and is educated in DUI laws and regulations. Laws are constantly shifting, so finding a lawyer that actively works on DUI cases is important. Make sure you ask how many DUI cases they’ve worked on, how much experience they have in general, and whether they’re up to date on all the regulations in the GTA.

2. Confidence and Respect

People often overlook their personal feelings and relationship with their lawyer. DUI charges are serious and can have lasting consequences on your life. Hiring a lawyer you don’t trust, like, or respect can only end badly. This person will be responsible for the outcome of your case, so it’s important that you have confidence in them when you enter the courtroom.

Experience, knowledge, and skills are important but don’t underestimate your gut feelings when it comes to picking a lawyer. If you can’t work well with them, don’t expect them to work well on your behalf.

3. Good Reputation

This is where past client testimonials and reviews come into play. You want to hire a DUI lawyer that has a good reputation in Toronto. If past clients have had issues with them, chances are you will too. It’s important to find a lawyer that not only is easy to work with, but that works ethically and morally. Reputation is important beyond past clients too. A lawyer with a poor reputation in the court system will only work against you. Find a DUI lawyer that is respected in Toronto, by both citizens and the court system.

4. Good Communication, Time Management, and Organization

Never underestimate the importance of communication, time management, and organization – especially for lawyers. Larger law firms will have assistants and fellow lawyers to help with the workload, but regardless of their resources, a good DUI lawyer in Toronto should be able to file all of the necessary paperwork on time.

Communication is especially important. DUI lawyers need to be able to communicate effectively with you and to the courts. If you find yourself leaving the meeting unclear about what needs to happen, that could be a warning sign.

Additional Resources About DUI Charges

Brochures Related To Drunk Driving Law

Ignition Interlock– A new tool to help prevent drinking and driving.
Back on Track– Ontario’s remedial measures program for impaired drivers.

Impaired Driving Podcasts

What to Do when Stopped for Impaired Driving– NewsTalk1010 with Edward Prutschi

FAQ

Why was I charged with 2 charges: Impaired Driving and Driving While Over 80?

Being over the legal limit and being impaired are two distinct offences that can and often are charged separately. If charged with both, to avoid a conviction, both charges have to be successfully defended. It is not enough to have the results of the breath test excluded, one must also show that whatever the amount of alcohol in their system, they were not impaired by alcohol.

It is a Criminal offence in Canada to have more than 80 millitres of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. This charge, often referred to as “Over 80”, means that the alcohol level in your blood exceeded the legal limit. That limit applies to everyone regardless of their alcohol tolerance or driving ability. As such, it is possible to be charged with one count of Over 80 by itself.

However, people charged with Over 80 are often also charged with the second charge of Impaired Driving (Driving while your ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol – the full name).

The charge of Impaired Driving means that regardless of how much alcohol you consumed, and even if your blood alcohol level is under the Criminal Code or Highway Traffic Act limit, your ability to drive was nevertheless impaired by the consumption of alcohol. In other words, it is entirely possible to be under the legal limit and still be charged with Impaired Driving.

Why was I charged when I was not even driving?

It is a criminal offence to have the care or control of a car while in a state of impairment or while having an unlawful amount of alcohol in your system. That means that even if you are not driving at the time of arrest, you can still be charged and suffer the same consequences.

If you are seated in the driver’s seat of a motor vehicle while impaired or with blood alcohol over the legal limit, you are presumed to be committing the offence of care and control of the car. The only way to defeat that charge (other than raising a doubt as to your level of impairment or the level of alcohol in your system) is to convince the Court at trial that you were not intending to drive when you got into the car and that you were not likely to change your mind about driving.

The Charge of impaired care or control is a serious charge that carries the same penalty as the charge of the impaired operation. Legal assistance should be sought.

What Happens to my car if I get charged with Impaired Driving related offence?

Once you are arrested for Impaired Driving, the vehicle you were operating will be towed and kept at the police impound for a period of 7 days.

Note: it is irrelevant that the car was registered to someone else, the car operated by the person charged with impaired driving will be impounded.

After 7 days, the car can be picked up from a police impound. You will be responsible for the fees associated with the storage of the car over the 7 days. (Click here for contact information of police impounds)

What Happens to my driver’s if I get charged with Impaired Driving related offence?

If you are charged with Over 80 your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days pursuant to an ADLS suspension. At the expiry of the 90 days, you can attend at the Ministry of Transportation and have your license reinstated. (Click here for a list of MTO locations)

What happens if I get pulled over for Impaired driving?

If a police officer reasonably suspects that you have alcohol in your system, he/she will administer a roadside test to determine the amount of alcohol that you have. Depending on the amount of alcohol in your system, the officer will either arrest you on a criminal charge of impaired driving or issue and HTA summons. penalties.

When should I call a lawyer about impaired driving charges?

Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer will be able to provide you, legal counsel, tell you your rights, and advise you on the best course of action. Impaired driving cases are some of the most complicated criminal offences in Ontario. There are also time limits on different approaches for these types of offences, so delaying the decision to hire a lawyer could have consequences. Call 1-888-508-9178 to

Have You Been Charged with Impaired Driving in Toronto?

Contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible. There are time limits on different approaches we can take for defending these charges, so delaying the decision to hire a lawyer could have consequences.

An experienced DUI lawyer will be able to provide you legal counsel, tell you your rights, and advise you on the best course of action. Impaired driving cases are some of the most complicated criminal offences in Ontario.

Call 416-365-3151 to speak to one of our impaired driving lawyers today.

Call us 24/7. Let’s start fighting together.

our strength and our key

Our Lawyers!

We are a team experienced criminal lawyers ready to stand for you in court and challenge the evidence of the police and the complainants.

Boris Bytensky LL.B

Partner at Bytensky Shikhman Criminal Law Firm

Boris Bytensky received his LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and proceeded to summer, article and associate at a prestigious Bay Street firm before starting his private practice.

416-365-2184

Sonya Shikhman LL.B

Partner at Bytensky Shikhman Criminal Law Firm

Sonya Shikhman holds an Hon B.A. in both History and Law & Society from York University and received her LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School.

416-365-1226

Kathryn Doyle J.D.

Partner at Bytensky Shikhman Criminal Law Firm

Kathryn graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2016 with an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences and returned in 2017 to obtain her Juris Doctor.

(647)531-7126

Sara Little J.D.

Associate at Bytensky Shikhman Criminal Law Firm

Sara obtained her Juris Doctor from Windsor Law in 2020 and was called to the bar in 2021

416-557-2063

Dylan Gold J.D.

Articling student at Bytensky Shikhman Criminal Law Firm

A recent graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Dylan is currently completing his articles at Bytensky Shikhman.

647-998-1773

Our Lawyers In The Media

The partners and lawyers at Bytensky Shikhman Barristers are regularly called upon by the media to provide commentary and legal opinion. Mr. Bytensky and Ms. Shikhman are the official legal analysts for CTV News and Newstalk 1010.

Sonya Shikhman at CTV NEWS

Lawyer Boris Bytensky delves into legal reasoning for attempted murder verdict

Sonya Shikhman Discusses Via Rail Terror Case in Toronto

Boris Byensky at NewsTalk10101’s The Jerry Agar Show

testimonials

What Clients Say About Us?

When you hire our firm to manage your case, you have hired a team of legal advocates who care, who will keep you informed, who will fight for you

    
 
 
        
   Marya Mohamed 
 2024-02-07
 
 
  Ms. Sonya is just an absolute incredible lawyer. I would say the best. We worked with her for my brother’s bail. Where we were scared and full of anxiety, she made everything just so simple and easy for us. She got bailed him out and everything worked out perfectly. Felt really comfortable with her because she made ensure we are comfortable. Her work I would say is amazingly exceptional. Thank goodness for her and her whole team!
  
 
       
   Hussain Chaudry 
 2023-08-03
 
 
  Great team
  
 
       
   Gurkirat Rai 
 2022-11-20
 
 
  Spoke with Mr. Boris on the phone, with respect to a appeal And I got to say he's a very honest professional individual, very unique in nature. He will tell you straight up if you have grounds of appeal or merits. If you will win or lose. Great personality to work with, someone who cares about Justice over money.
Thank you
  
 
       
   Sabrina Conliffe 
 2022-11-09
 
 
  Brittany Smith is a very professional and hard-working lawyer. She dealt with my case quickly and effectively. Also, she explained everything along the way. Everyone should have this type of lawyer in their corner. Thank you very much!
  
 
       
   Danielle West 
 2022-11-09
 
 
  A family member of mine used Ms. Shikhman as their lawyer. From the beginning of the process, she was absolutely fierce in looking after his interests. She secured the most reasonable bail conditions that we were told by other lawyers would be impossible to get. After a complicated long trial we got a “NOT GUILTY” from the jury! We could not be more grateful for all of her hard work.
  
 
       
   TA 
 2022-10-21
 
 
  Brittany Smith is more than an excellent Criminal Lawyer! She put all her effort on my case, days and nights. I can’t thank you enough Brittany. You nailed it..
  
 
       
   Nesf123 
 2022-10-04
 
 
  Sonya is an excellent lawyer who provided the best outcome for my case. I consulted with many lawyers before deciding to work with Sonya. She is honest, professional and delivers on her word.
  
 
       
   Chris Gove 
 2021-06-23
 
 
  Very knowledgeable and easy to reach.