Menu
If you want to secure your future and face the charge of dangerous driving and other DUI charges, hire a lawyer immediately and create a strong defence for your court hearings. It will help you in the bail process if found guilty.
The Criminal Code broadly defines dangerous driving, giving much flexibility in using the charge against police and law enforcement. Especially if you are charged with a severe injury or death, it is essential to have an expert legal advisor to help defend your rights.
If you are still charged with dangerous driving, it can include a one-year licence suspension, even if no one is harmed. In such an offence, you may be accused of negligence, causing bodily harm if a person suffers serious injury.
If someone gets seriously injured as a result of dangerous driving, the accused will then have to face jail time up to 10 years. If death results, then the penalty will increase. Additionally, it will impact your criminal record.
Our lawyers have handled many cases of dangerous driving in a wide range of situations, including those involving:
The relevant provisions for dangerous driving in the Canadian Criminal Code are:
Dangerous Operation
320.13 (1) Considering all the circumstances, it is against the law for anyone to drive a vehicle in a way that is dangerous to the public.
Operation Causing Bodily Harm
(2) It is against the law to operate a vehicle in a way that puts the public in danger and causes bodily harm to someone else.
Operation Causing Death
(3) If someone drives in a way that is very dangerous and causes someone else to die, it is against the law, and they have committed an offence.
Like every other criminal offence, dangerous driving carries severe penalties if you are found guilty.
It can affect your daily life and way of living. For a standard dangerous driving charge, you could face a maximum sentence of two years less a day and a fine of up to $5,000 if the crown proceeds by summary conviction.
If they proceed by indictment, you could face a sentence of up to 10 years. If you cause bodily harm, the Crown also can elect, but the maximum punishment by indictment is 14 years, with a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offence.
If you cause death, you could face a sentence of life in prison, with a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offence. You can also face a driving prohibition.
A lawyer can evaluate your case and obtain the best possible outcome.
The nature of the charge guides what the potential jail time may be for the criminal charge.
Criminal Charge | By Way of Indictment | By Way of Summary Conviction |
Dangerous driving | Minimum: None Maximum: 10 years | Minimum: None Maximum: 2 years less a day or $5000 fine |
Dangerous driving Causing bodily harm | Minimum: $1000 fine Maximum: 14 years imprisonment | Minimum: None Maximum: 2 years less a day or $5000 fine |
Dangerous driving causing death | Minimum: $1000 fine Maximum: Life imprisonment | N/A |
If the dangerous driving of the vehicle resulted in death, the maximum penalty for the accused would be life imprisonment. The minimum sentence would be a $1000 fine for the first offence, 30 days imprisonment for the second offence, and 120 days imprisonment for the third offence.
If the offence of dangerous driving involves bodily harm, the Crown may proceed through indictment or summary conviction.
If the Crown proceeds by indictment, the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years.
The minimum sentence is the same as above. The Crown may also proceed by summary conviction, and the maximum sentence may be a $5000 fine or two years less a day imprisonment.
If the offence didn’t lead to death or cause physical harm, the maximum punishment is ten years in prison if it’s treated as a serious crime or 6 months if it’s treated less seriously, with no set minimum sentence for either.
If you ever face dangerous driving charges in Toronto, limiting the possible negative impacts of the offence on you and your family is essential. This can be possible when you hire a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer to review your case and tailor possible defence strategies. A dangerous driving lawyer at Toronto’s Law firm can help in the following ways:
A dangerous driving lawyer reviews all the evidence against you and then builds a strong defence strategy. They will try to identify the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and develop a plan to challenge the charges against you. By their knowledge and experience, a skilled lawyer creates a defence that will give you the best possible chance of success in court.
If your case goes to trial, a dangerous driving lawyer will represent you in court. They will present all the evidence and arguments on your behalf and cross-examine witnesses presented by the prosecution. A skilled lawyer will use their expertise to present a compelling case and give you the best possible chance of success in court.
Sometimes, it is possible to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor. This involves you agreeing to plead guilty and be punished with a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. A skilled, dangerous driving lawyer will negotiate on your behalf and work to secure the best possible plea deal.
A dangerous driving lawyer will provide legal guidance and support throughout the process. They will help you understand the charges against you, the potential penalties you may face, and your legal rights and options. They will also guide you in interacting with the police, the courts, and other involved parties.
Contact our dangerous driving lawyers team for more information on how we can help.
In Toronto, a conviction for dangerous driving will stay on a person's driving record for at least ten years.
Dangerous driving, also known as hazardous operation, is a criminal charge in Toronto under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The maximum sentence for dangerous driving that results in causing death in Canada is prison for life.
