When considering whether or not to refuse a breathalyzer, it’s usually better to provide a sample of breath because:
Refuse Breathalyzer Tests
The police have a legal obligation to ensure the driver understands the implications & penalties of failing to provide a sample of breath of their breath.
Refusing Breathalyzer Tests
- the driver may pass the test
- breath tests give another issue to dispute
- low breathalyzer readings maybe eligible for reduced charges
Where a driver refuses to take the breath test, the defence will deal with the issues of:
- did the accused have a lawful reason to refuse
- did the police had a right or the grounds to demand a breathalyzer test and
- did the accused fail without lawfully authority to provide the breath test to the officer
- did the accused understand the implications of refusing the test
A driver can refuse a breathalyzer test if they wish to do so. You cannot be physically forced to submit to a breathalyzer test.
Where the driver does refuse to take the breath test the police can charge the driver with the criminal offence of “Refusing a Breathalyzer Test”.
The penalty for refusing the breath test is the same penalty as if the driver took the test and failed.
Penalty Refusing Breathalyzer Test
The penalty for refusing a breathalyzer test in Ontario is the same as if the driver took the test and failed.
The charge of refuse breathalyzer test has the following penalties;
- criminal record for life
- one year licence suspension
- fine between $1000 and $2000
- mandatory drinking & driving counselling
- Ignition Interlock device
- Back on Track Program
Fighting Refuse Breathalyzer Test Charges
The police do make mistakes and they don’t win every case, just because you have charged doesn’t mean you’re guilty.
Charges for refusing a breathalyzer test can be won. There are defences to refusing a breathalyzer, compromises and resolutions other than being found guilty and losing your licence.
Although the charge may seem straightforward in that the driver either “did or did not provide a breath sample”, there are legal issues that must be proven to convict a driver of this charge, for example:
- did the police have the legal right to make the demand
- did the police clearly explain the obligation to the driver
- did the driver understand what the officer was telling them
- did the accused have the opportunity to speak the a lawyer
- were the rights of the accused abused in any way by the police
The police have a legal responsibility to ensure that when they demand a breathalyzer test:
- that the driver understands
- the implications if they do not comply,
- the driver knows what they are required to do,
- the driver was given reasonable opportunity to provide the sample
Many times this is not done properly. If the accused did not fully understand, or the police did not explain properly or give the driver a reasonable opportunity to provide the breath sample, then this can become a defence to the charge.
It’s your right to have a judge hear your case and make and impartial decision based upon the facts.
It’s for the judge to decide if everything was done properly, legally and has a case been made out beyond any reasonable doubt.
You’re not guilty unless a judge says you are, not the police or the crown attorney.
★★★★★ Excellent lawyer!!! Nicholas was a pleasure to deal with. He knows the DUI laws inside and out. Not only did he get my impaired driving and refuse breath test dropped but he cleared my name from the police database. I wouldn’t hesitate referring him to my friends and family if any of them were to be charged with DUI or related matters. Jacob C. Toronto (Google Reviews)
Refuse Breathalyzer Test – Definition
Where a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person operating a motor vehicle has within the previous three (3) hours,
- committed an offence under section 320.14 (impaired driving) of the Criminal Code,
- the peace officer may, make a demand,
- requiring the person to provide, as soon as practicable,
- breath samples that, in a qualified technicians opinion, will enable a proper analysis to be made to determine the concentration of alcohol in the person’s blood.
Everyone commits the offence of refusing a breathalyzer test who, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses a demand made under section 320.15.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
When can the Police Demand a Breathalyzer Test?
The police must have the lawful authority or grounds to demand a breathalyzer test.
A police officer can only demand a breathalyzer test when the officer:
- observes or has reason to believe the driver was driving a motor vehicle, and
- believes the driver has consumed an alcohol or drug, or
- has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the accused ability to drive has been impaired due to the consumption of an alcoholic beverage.
When requested to supply a sample of breath for a breathalyzer, the driver must comply with the officers demand.
It is a criminal offence to refuse a breathalyzer test lawfully demanded by a police officer.
Retaining Charitsis Law to Defend You
Want legal advice or like to speak to a lawyer? The first step is to give us a call at 416-731-7113.
There is no fee or obligation to call and speak to us. The discussion is held with complete privacy and confidence with the lawyer.
During that phone call the lawyer will:
- listen to your case
- answer any questions you have
- review the documents the police gave you, Please send any documents for review using the form at side of page
The lawyer will be able to give you an opinion about your case, and tell you:
- possible defences to the charge
- legal arguments in your case
- what you can do to help your case
- what the cost to defend the accusation would be
Where you decide to retain our services we will invite you to meet in our Toronto office or have a face to face Zoom online meeting.
In that meeting we’ll discuss the case in detail, plan your defence and arrange for the first court date.
We ask for a reasonable deposit upon retaining our services of 10 to 25 percent.
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