IMPAIRED DRIVING / DUI OFFENCES
R v. N.P.
Result: Charges withdrawn prior to trial
N.P. was observed by police swerving on the road and then over-correcting which caused his vehicle to nearly hit a median. The client then pulled into a gas station and stopped his vehicle across two parking spaces. Police pulled in behind N.P. and he exited his vehicle, laid down on the ground and began screaming and crying. Police asked what is wrong and he told them that he shouldn’t be driving. Police arrested N.P. and placed him in the police vehicle. N.P. continued to act very bizarre and at one point at the police station, took off his shirt and began to meditate.
After police were able to calm N.P. down and get him to stop meditating, they tried to obtain two samples of breath from him. The first was successful but he was unable to provide a second sample after only two attempts. The officer, who said “it is too late for this” and made the ridiculous decision to charge N.P. with refusing to provide a sample of breath.
Cory Wilson spoke with the prosecutor about the police officer’s conduct and had the charge withdrawn on the first court appearance.
This was the best outcome – charges withdrawn on the first court appearance.
R v. D.L.
Result: Charges dismissed mid-trial
D.L. was charged with impaired driving and driving over 0.08 after Calgary Transit Police found him behind the steering wheel stuck in a construction zone. Police were called to the scene and arrested D.L. for impaired driving based on very minimal indicia. Despite attempts to resolve the matter prior to trial, the Crown Prosecutor believed they had a strong case.
At trial, Cory Wilson cross-examined the arresting officer who admitted he did not find D.L. in the vehicle, did not know the time of driving and assumed he was the driver because he was talking with the transit officers upon police arrival. As a result of eliciting this evidence, the prosecutor had no option but to ask the judge to dismiss the charges as there was no evidence to convict DL.
The trial judge dismissed the charges and D.L. was left with no criminal record for this incident.
R v. L.H.
Result: Charges withdrawn prior to trial
Police observed L.H. driving erratically down main street in Airdrie, twice hitting a curb. After pulling him over, police observed L.H. to have bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, an open beer can and difficulty getting his license from his wallet. Police arrested L.H. for impaired driving. On his way to the police station, L.H. passed out in the backseat of the police vehicle. L.H. eventually blew more than twice the legal limit.
The matter was set for trial. Cory Wilson filed a Charter Notice alleging police breached L.H. rights by unlawfully arresting him without reasonable grounds to do so. As a result of the detailed Notice, the Crown prosecutor agreed that they were unlikely to convict and the charges were withdrawn two days before trial.
This was the best outcome as a conviction would cause L.H. immigration issues.
R v. T.V.
Result: Charges withdrawn prior to trial
Police were called after a vehicle was observed stuck in a ditch on a rural highway. Upon attending the scene, police spoke with T.V. who had a difficult time explaining how he ended up in the ditch. Police smelt alcohol on his breath and he admitted to drinking alcohol prior to driving. Police also noted that the T.V. had a difficult time walking and couldn’t stand still. As a result of this indicia, T.V. was arrested for impaired driving and subsequently blew 250, which is well over the legal limit of 80.
After reviewing the in-car video, it was evident to Cory Wilson that police had created indicia of impairment to justify the arrest. Cory approached the prosecutor and showed them the significant issues with arrest. As a result, the prosecutor withdrew the charges prior to trial.
This was a great outcome as it saved T.V. significant stress and cost of going to trial.
R v. S.H.
Result: Charges withdrawn
The client was observed by police driving slowly and making lane changes without signaling. After several blocks, police turned on their lights and attempted to pull the driver over. Instead, the driver started driving faster and made a number of turns before finally stopping. Police walked to the driver’s window and immediately smelt alcohol coming from S.H.’s breath. Without further indicia, the officer arrested S.H. for impaired driving.
After receiving disclosure, Cory Wilson called the prosecutor to flag the significant breach of his client’s rights. There were no grounds to arrest S.H. and the subsequent breath samples were therefore unlawful.
The prosecutor agreed with Cory and withdrew the charges three weeks after S.H. was arrested.
R v. P.K.
Result: Charges Dismissed Mid-Trial. No Criminal Record.
P.K. was pulled over for what the officer described as erratic driving. The client denied consuming alcohol but the officer indicated he could smell alcohol coming out of the vehicle. As a result, P.K. was read the roadside breath demand which he subsequently failed. He was taken back to the police station where he provided two samples of breath over the legal limit.
The only issue at trial was the credibility of the arresting officer. On its own, a driver who denies consuming alcohol but has a smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle does not provide an officer grounds to read a roadside screening demand. However, in this case, after P.K. was charged and released, the officer added into his report that he could also detected a strong smell of alcohol coming from P.K.’s breath. Fortunately, the entire interaction was captured on body worn camera. After extensively cross-examining the arresting officer about fabricating the smell of alcohol on P.K.’s breath, the prosecutor conceded the case and asked the judge to dismiss the charges.
R v. A.L.
Result: Charges Dismissed Mid-Trial. No Criminal Record.
The client was stopped as part of a Checkstop and read the Mandatory Screening Demand. The client was a middle-aged woman who does not drink or do drugs. Despite the fact the officer had no indicia of impairment, new legislation allows police to demand any driver provide a sample of breath. A.L. tried seven times to provide a suitable sample of breath but could not generate enough air. The officer repeatedly talked over her, shoved the device into her mouth and refused to allow her to stand to try to get a proper sample. Despite her protests that she was not refusing, the officer arrested her and she immediately lost her license for 90 days, which was catastrophic for her job as she relied on her vehicle.
The matter went to trial despite the obvious issues with the case. Even before cross-examining the arresting officer, Cory Wilson alerted the Crown Prosecutor to a fatal mistake that occurred during the Crown’s case. As a result, the judge dismissed the charges 30 minutes into the trial.
R v. R.K.
Result: Charges Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
The client was charged with refusing to provide a sample of breath after being involved in a car accident. The officer noted a strong smell of alcohol from the accused’s breath and he admitted to consuming some drinks. The officer read the roadside breath demand and it was alleged that R.K. refused to provide a sample of breath.
After reviewing the disclosure, it was clear that the officer failed to write down exactly what R.K. said in reply to the breath demand. Without being able to prove what R.K. said, the Crown would not be able to prove the case. Cory Wilson alerted the Crown to this issue and the charge was withdrawn less than a month after our client was charged.
R v. L.C.
Result: Charges Withdrawn On Morning of Trial. No Criminal Record
L.C. was pulled over after an officer observed her swerving within her lane. The client admitted to consuming alcohol and subsequently provided a Fail on the Approved Screening Device. While at the roadside, L.C. told the officer she didn’t want to call a lawyer “right now” but was unsure of the process. Once they arrived at the police station, the arresting officer took L.C. to cells and asked if she wanted to call a lawyer. Body worn camera showed that L.C. was clearly scared and did not know what to do. The officer then told her that she could call a lawyer “but it won’t change anything that is going to happen.” As a result of what the officer aid, L.C. declined to call counsel and provided samples of breath over the legal limit.
Cory Wilson immediately determined that by telling L.C. that calling a lawyer won’t change anything, the arresting offer undermined her free will to call a lawyer. He convinced her not to call a lawyer by wrongfully stating that nothing would change if she called a lawyer.
After filing a Charter Notice and speaking with the Crown Prosecutor multiple times, the Crown agreed that they could not overcome the breach and withdrew the charges on the morning of the trial.
This was the best possible outcome as L.C. avoided trial despite blowing well over the legal limit.
R v. A.K.
Result: Charge Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
A.B. was observed by police driving erratically for several minutes. When the officer attempted to pull him over, A.B. stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road. Police approached the vehicle and the entire interaction was caught on camera. From the beginning of the interaction, it was very evident that A.B. could hardly speak English, having recently moved to Canada from Ethiopia. Despite the language barrier, the police officer was of the belief that if she just talked louder, he would understand – he clearly did not. After multiple unsuccessful attempts at providing a roadside sample of breath, A.B. was arrested for refusal. The two officers on scene, who should have known they were being recorded, began to discuss how to ensure A.B, would be convicted, rather than how to make him properly understand what was occurring. The arresting officer, in an attempt to make it appear A.B. understood the breath demand, created fictitious notes indicating she read the demand multiple times and he told her that he understood. None of this occurred in the video.
Having reviewed the lengthy video and fake notes, Cory called the Crown Prosecutor and convinced him to withdraw the charges. As a result, A.B. did not have to go to trial and he was left with no criminal record.
R v. C.B.
Result: Charges Dismissed Mid-Trial. No Criminal Record
The client was involved in a motor vehicle accident in which the passenger had to be taken to the hospital. Police on scene did not believe that C.B. was impaired but became aware that he was wanted on a traffic warrant. During transfer to the police station, officer began to smell alcohol coming from the backseat and C.B. subsequently admitted to drinking at a Flames Game. Police conducted a roadside screening test and as a result of the Fail, C.B. was arrested for impaired driving. He subsequently provided samples of breath with readings over double the legal limit.
At trial, the main issues was whether the arresting officer has lawful grounds to demand the roadside sample of breath. Police didn’t witness the accident and never asked when driving occurred. In order for a demand to be lawful, a police officer must turn their mind to whether or not the driving occurred within the preceding 3 hours. During cross-examination, Cory was able to get the arresting officer to admit that not only did he not know the time of driving, he didn’t even think about when the accident occurred.
As a result of Cory’s cross-examination, the Crown Prosecutor stayed all charges mid-trial. This was a great result that leaves C.B. with no criminal record.
R v. C.R.
Result: Charges Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
After a night of heavy drinking at a bar, C.R. was observed getting into a physical confrontation with his girlfriend in the parking lot of the bar. He was then seen entering his vehicle and driving away. Police were called and attended the residence listed as belonging to the registered owner of the vehicle. When police arrived, C.R. was in the driver’s seat of the vehicle parked at the bottom of the driveway. As police approached, C.R. drove into the garage and exited the vehicle. Police requested C.R. exit the garage and after a brief conversation, read him an approved screening device demand. C.R. was taken to the police vehicle where after being provided with instructions, attempted to walk away from the officer. C.R. was immediately arrested for obstruction and placed into the police vehicle. He was then provided multiple opportunities to provide a sample of breath and failed to do so. Rather than releasing C.R. with a Promise to Appear in court, the officer chose to detain C.R. in police custody for over 9 hours.
There was no justification for C.R.’s detention and Cory filed a Charter Notice alleging that C.R. was arbitrarily detained contrary to section 9 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. After reviewing Cory’s Charter Notice, the Crown withdrew both charges on the morning of trial.
This was the best outcome for the client.
R v. A.H.
Result: Successful Appeal. New Trial Ordered.
Cory represented A.H. in his summary conviction appeal after he was found guilty of driving over 0.08 at trial. Cory argued that the trial judge erred by misapprehending the police officer’s evidence as to indicia of impairment, erred by failing to conduct a credibility and reliability assessment of the officer despite his evidence that was inconsistent with his notes and report and erred by failing to apply the correct legal test.
The summary conviction justice agreed with Cory and found that there were significant errors made by the trial judge. The finding of guilt was set aside and a new trial ordered.
Winning at appeal and having a new trial ordered was the best outcome on appeal.
R v. R.A.
Result: Charges Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
R.A. was charged with impaired driving and driving over 0.08 after police observed his vehicle swerving between two lanes, hitting the curb multiple times, speeding up and slowing down for no apparent reason and running a red light. He was pulled over and police noted an overwhelming smell of alcohol coming from his mouth, he admitted to consuming beer, had red eyes and slurred his speech. After failing a roadside screening device, he was arrested and brought to the RCMP detachment. When he arrived at the detachment, R.A. was provided the opportunity to call a lawyer. It was 2AM and R.A. was unable to reach legal counsel. He left a message with a lawyer and told the officer that he was waiting for a return phone call. The officer told R.A. that while he was waiting, he could provide the samples of breath to speed-up the process. R.A. complied and provided two samples of breath nearly three times the legal limit.
After reviewing the disclosure, it was clear to Cory that the officer breached R.A.’s right to counsel. Cory immediately contacted the Crown who agreed with Cory’s position and withdrew the charges three weeks after R.A. was arrested.
Having charges withdrawn weeks after being charged is the best possible outcome any accused person could hope for.
R v. A.B.
Result: Not Guilty. No Criminal Record.
Police received a 9-1-1 call of a possible impaired driver. The offending vehicle being driven by A.B. was located by police and observed to straddle the centre dividing line for several blocks before failing to signal prior to turning. Shortly after police pulled A.B. over, she was arrested for impaired driving and subsequently blew over the legal limit.
At trial, Cory cross-examined the arresting officer on her grounds to arrest. The officer testified to a significant number of indicia that would support A.B.’s arrest. During cross-examination, Cory played the in-car video that the officer clearly didn’t know existed. After a lengthy cross-examination, the officer conceded she was mistaken about most of the indicia that she had previously testified as being present.
Cory argued that the officer breached A.B.’s right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. The trial judge agreed with Cory and excluded the breath certificate. A.B. was found not guilty of all charges.
Being found not guilty at trial was the best possible outcome.
R v. J.B.
Result: Not Guilty. No Criminal Record.
Police were called to the scene of a minor car accident that occurred inside a parking lot. Upon arrival at the scene, police walked directly to J.B. who was standing on the sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot. Police questioned J.B. as to his level of sobriety and where he had been earlier in the day. At the conclusion of the brief conversation, J.B. was read a roadside breath demand. J.B. failed and was arrested for impaired driving. J.B. subsequently blew over the legal limit and was charged with impaired driving and driving over 0.08.
At trial, Cory cross-examined the officer as to his grounds to demand a roadside sample of breath. During cross-examination, the officer conceded he did not inquire if J.B. was the driver of the vehicle or when the driving occurred, both of which are conditions required to form the necessary grounds.
After Cory’s cross-examination, the trial judge said that there was no need for either lawyer to make an argument as it was clear the officer did not have grounds to arrest. A.B. was found not guilty.
A verdict of not guilty was the best possible outcome.
R v. A.D.
Result: Charges Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
A.D. was charged with impaired driving, driving over 0.08 and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. The charges stemmed from an incident in which A.B. struck another vehicle at a traffic light and then quickly drove away to her house. A witness followed A.D. and reported her location to 9-1-1. When police arrived, A.D. was still seated in the driver’s seat of her vehicle parked in the alley behind her home with the engine running. A.D. admitted to consuming alcohol, had glossy eyes, extremely slurred speech and dropped her registration document when providing them to police. As a result, A.D. was placed under arrest and read a breath demand. Though A.D.’s vehicle was parked in an alley, the arresting officer decided to wait until a tow truck attended the scene before departing for the police station. A.D. subsequently blew 2.5 times over the legal limit.
Cory filed a Charter Notice alleging that the officer breached A.D.’s right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by failing to take the breath samples as soon as practicable. There was no reason for the officer to remain on the scene waiting for a tow truck when there was no safety concern and/or another police unit could have been called.
One day after Cory filed a Charter Notice, the Crown withdrew all charges against A.D. This was the best outcome for the client.
R v. J.S.
Result: Not Guilty. No Criminal Record.
J.S. was charged with impaired care and control of a motor vehicle and care and control of a motor vehicle while his blood was over 0.08. The charges stemmed from an incident in which J.S. was found by police sleeping in the back seat of his running vehicle outside of a rural bar in the early morning hours of a freezing winter night. J.S. had previously made several calls to arrange a taxi, but could not get through. Left with no option, J.S. slept in his vehicle. J.S. admitted to being intoxicated and showed multiple signs of impairment. Police arrested J.S. and he subsequently blew over the legal limit.
At trial, J.S. testified that he had no intention of driving his vehicle. He further testified that he feared he would freeze to death if he didn’t turn on the engine to keep warm. J.S. exhibited his phone records showing that he made multiple phone calls to various taxi companies, but with no success.
The trial judge agreed with Cory that J.S. did not enter his vehicle with the intention of driving. The judge also agreed that based on the totality of the evidence, J.S. was not guilty of either offence. As a result, J.S. was left with no criminal record for this incident. This was the best possible outcome.
R v. Q.C.
Result: Charges Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
Q.C. was charged with impaired driving, driving over 0.08, careless driving and a number of other Traffic Safety Act violations. Q.C. was involved in a car accident in which she struck another vehicle from behind. When speaking with Q.C. shortly after the incident, the other driver smelt alcohol on Q.C.’s breath and called police. When police arrived, Q.C. admitted to consuming multiple shots of alcohol just prior to driving. She had slurred speech, red bloodshot eyes, had difficulty standing and police observed open alcohol in the vehicle.
After reviewing the disclosure, Cory found significant inconsistencies between the arresting officer’s notes and his police report. These inconsistencies would potentially cast a doubt on the reliability of the officer’s evidence at trial. After lengthy resolution discussions with the Crown, all criminal charges were withdrawn and Q.C. paid a small fine for failure to provide vehicle registration, an infraction under the Traffic Safety Act. This resolution left Q.C. with no criminal record for the incident. Having the criminal charges withdrawn was the best possible outcome.
R v. R.S.
Result: Not Guilty. No Criminal Record.
R.S. was charged with impaired driving and driving over 0.08. The police officer noted minimal indicia of impairment, but R.S. admitted to consuming alcohol. After failing a roadside screening test, R.S. was arrested and taken back to the police station to provide samples of breath. At the police station, R.S. was afforded the right to counsel and left a message with a number to call back. R.S. told the officer he was waiting for his lawyer to call back. The officer then recommended R.S. call Legal Aid instead of waiting. R.S. called Legal Aid, spoke with a lawyer and then provided two samples of breath over the legal limit.
At trial, Cory argued that despite the fact R.S. spoke with a Legal Aid lawyer prior to providing samples of breath, his Charter right to counsel was violated when the officer failed to allow R.S. to wait for his lawyer to call back. There was no rush for R.S. to provide the samples of breath and the officer had an obligation to allow a reasonable period of time to wait for a return phone call.
The trial judge agreed with Cory and R.S. was found not guilty. This left R.S. with no criminal record for this incident.
This was the best possible outcome at trial.
R v E.A.
Result: Charges Withdrawn. No Criminal Record.
Police observed E.A.’s vehicle repeatedly cross the center line and swerve within his own lane. After pulling E.A. over, police observed slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, smell of alcohol, slow movements and E.A. admitted to consuming alcohol. He was arrested and subsequently blew over the legal limit.
After reviewing the notes of both police officers, Cory found significant inconsistencies in relation to the indicia of impairment observed. Cory filed a Charter Notice alleging E.A.’s right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure was violated. On the morning of trial, the Crown withdrew the charges. As a result, E.A. was left with no criminal record for this incident. This was the best possible outcome for the client.