An impaired driving charge in the Yukon puts two things at risk: your licence today and your criminal record for years to come. What you do in the first few days matters.
1. Read your paperwork carefully
After an arrest you will usually get an Appearance Notice or Undertaking with your first court date at the Whitehorse Law Courts or a circuit court location. You may also receive a 24-hour or 90-day roadside licence suspension under the Yukon Motor Vehicles Act — see how the Yukon’s two-tier system works. These are two separate processes with separate deadlines.
2. Don’t miss your first court date
Missing court is a new criminal offence (failure to appear) and can lead to a warrant. Your lawyer can often appear for you at the first appearance.
3. Write down everything while it’s fresh
Note the time you last drank or ate, where you were stopped, what the officer said, when you were told about your right to a lawyer, and when the breath tests happened. Timing problems and Charter issues are common defence grounds.
4. Don’t talk about your case
Avoid discussing the charge with anyone except your lawyer, and stay off social media about it.
5. Speak with an impaired driving lawyer early
An experienced Yukon DUI lawyer can:
- review the disclosure (police notes, breath test records, video)
- check whether your Charter rights (s. 8, 9, 10(b)) were respected
- challenge the breath or blood evidence
- advise on any licence suspension review
- negotiate with the Crown or prepare for trial
Frequently asked questions
Is a DUI a criminal offence in Canada? Yes. Impaired driving and “over 80” are offences under s. 320.14 of the Criminal Code, and a conviction leaves a criminal record.
Will I lose my licence? On conviction, the Criminal Code requires a driving prohibition (at least 1 year for a first offence), separate from any Yukon administrative suspension.
Do I need a lawyer for a first offence? You aren’t required to have one, but the minimum penalties are serious and many cases have defences that only show up in the disclosure.
Related: Yukon impaired driving laws: complete guide · Yukon DUI penalties: impoundment & interlock
