Immediate Roadside Suspension Lawyers in Calgary

If you are facing an Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) penalty, you need a criminal defence lawyer in Calgary to look at your file as soon as possible. An IRS can carry serious penalties including expensive fines, and loss of driving privileges.

Strategic Criminal Defence is a top Google-rated criminal defence firm in Calgary, with over 500 5-star reviews. Our firm, and our experienced legal team, have defended clients in over 10,000 criminal cases; a significant number of which are impaired driving, DUI, and IRS offences.

Leveraging our extensive knowledge of Alberta’s driving laws and decades of experience, we craft strategies to help those accused of drunk driving beat the charge.

The lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence are both highly experienced and dedicated to defending your rights and future in the face of these penalties. Contact a Calgary criminal defence lawyer today by calling (403) 719-6410.

What is an Immediate Roadside Sanction?

An Immediate Roadside Sanction, commonly referred to as an IRS, entails a driver having their licence suspended for a set period of time due to an allegation of drug or alcohol-related impaired driving. These sanctions are administered under the Immediate Roadside Suspension Program that came into effect across Alberta on December 1, 2020, replacing the Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension program. The length and type of suspension will depend on the type of licence you have and the results of the police roadside screening. All suspensions are legislated in the Traffic Safety Act, which outlines the various procedures, beginning at section 88(1).

The wording of the legislation is long, complicated, and difficult to read and interpret. In short, pursuant to the Traffic Safety Act, there are 5 different types of sanctions:

1. IRS: 24-Hour
2. IRS: Novice
3. IRS: Commercial
4. IRS: Warn
5. IRS: Fail

You may also receive a criminal DUI charge alongside the IRS. Further, the imposition of criminal charges may depend on the following factors:

1. You have had a prior DUI,
2. There is bodily harm or injury, or
3. There were children in the vehicle.

Your IRS and any criminal proceedings you may be facing are completely separate and distinct matters. Decisions made by criminal courts with respect to the related criminal charges have absolutely no bearing on your provincial licence suspension. Regardless of the outcome of your criminal charges in criminal court, your IRS will remain in effect unless you review/appeal the IRS suspension.

All reviews can now be done completely virtually. The benefit to you is that:

1. You never have to worry about traveling to see us in person; and
2. You never have to worry about extra-legal travel fees to argue the IRS case;

Our lawyers can help you file a review and fight a suspension anywhere in Alberta, from one of our central offices in either Calgary or Edmonton.

If you have had your licence suspended, it is critical that you hire a competent IRS defence lawyer as quickly as possible. Do not miss out on the opportunity to apply for a review and get back your driving privileges.

What are the different types of IRS suspensions?

Your driving privileges will be affected differently depending on which licence suspension you are given.

1. IRS: 24-Hour: This sanction is imposed when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a driver has consumed alcohol or drugs or has any medical condition and that it is affecting the driver’s physical or mental ability.
   • This sanction requires a lower threshold of evidence for the peace officer but results in a less serious penalty.
   • You will be immediately suspended from driving for 24 hours, your vehicle may be seized for 24 hours, and the peace officer may seize your driver’s licence.
   • Once the 24-hour period expires, the suspension is lifted automatically, and you do not need to re-instate your licence. You do, however, need to secure your licence back from the police (if they took it) before you can drive again.

2. IRS: Novice: This sanction is only imposed upon drivers who hold a learner’s licence or a probationary licence. A novice driver is not permitted to have any amount of alcohol in their system.
   • You will be immediately suspended for 30 days, your vehicle will be seized for 7 days, you will receive a fine of $200 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you may be subject to additional reinstatement conditions.

3. IRS: Commercial: This sanction is only imposed upon drivers who are operating a commercial vehicle, such as a delivery truck or bus, with any drugs/alcohol in system. Like novice drivers, commercial drivers are not permitted to have any amount of alcohol in their system. The penalty for this sanction depends on whether it has happened before:

• • First time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 3 days, you will receive a fine of $300 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you may be subject to additional reinstatement conditions;
  • Second time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 15 days, you will receive a fine of $600 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you may be subject to additional reinstatement conditions;
  • Third and subsequent time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 30 days, you will receive a fine of $1,200 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you may be subject to additional reinstatement conditions. 

4. IRS: Warn: This sanction is imposed when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a driver has between 50-80 mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The penalty for this sanction depends on whether it has happened before:

• First time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 3 days, your vehicle will be seized for 3 days, you will receive a fine of $300 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you may be subject to additional reinstatement conditions;
• Second time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 15 days, your vehicle will be seized for 7 days, you will receive a fine of $600 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you will need to participate in the ½ day Crossroads education course;
• Third and subsequent time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 30 days, your vehicle will be seized for 7 days, you will receive a fine of $1,200 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you will need to participate in the 2-day IMPACT education course.

5. IRS: Fail: This sanction is imposed when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that you:

• operated a motor vehicle while your ability to do so was impaired to any degree by alcohol or a drug or by a combination of alcohol and a drug; or
• within 2 hours after ceasing to operate a motor vehicle, had a blood alcohol concentration that was equal to or exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood; or
• within 2 hours after ceasing to operate a motor vehicle, had a blood drug concentration that is equal to or exceeds any blood drug concentration for the drug (prescribed by regulation under the Criminal Code); or
• within 2 hours after ceasing to operate a motor vehicle, had a combined blood alcohol and drug concentration equal to or exceeding the limits prescribed by the Criminal Code; or

• failed or refused , without a reasonable excuse, to comply with a demand made under section 320.27 of 320.28 of the Criminal Code.

If a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that you fall under any of the above IRS: Fail infractions your licence will immediately be suspended. Your vehicle will be seized for a set period of time and you will need to participate in an education course and pay a fine.  You will also need to participate in Alberta’s IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program.

This is the most serious type of sanction and may also be accompanied by a criminal charge. The penalty for this sanction depends on whether it has happened before:

• First time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 90 days followed by 12 months of mandatory participation in the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program, your vehicle will be seized for 30 days, you will receive a fine of $1,000 plus a victim fine surcharge, and you will need to participate in the 1-day Planning Ahead education course;
• Second time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 90 days followed by 36 months of mandatory participation in the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program, your vehicle will be seized for 30 days, you will receive a fine of $2,000 plus a victim fine surcharge, you will need to participate in the 2-day IMPACT education course, and you will be charged under the Criminal Code;
• Third and subsequent time: You will be immediately suspended from driving for 90 days followed by lifetime participation in the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program, your vehicle will be seized for 30 days, you will receive a fine of $2,000 plus a victim fine surcharge.

The peace officer who issues your licence suspension will fill out and serve you with a “Notice of Administrative Penalty.” This Notice will indicate the type of IRS, the penalty, and the reason(s) for your licence suspension.

What is the Alberta Ignition Interlock program?

The Ignition Interlock, colloquially referred to as a “blow box,” refers to a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle which would require you to blow into a mouthpiece before operating the vehicle. It prevents your car engine from being started if it detects alcohol on your breath. If you receive an IRS Fail, you will need to participate in the Alberta Ignition Interlock program for a set period of time prior to your licence being reinstated without conditions.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be an Alberta resident,
• Have 30 days or less remaining in your minimum 90-day driving suspension term, and
• Complete the required remedial education course (you are required to present your course completion certificate to the installer at the installation appointment).
• Not be currently serving any other suspensions.

You can apply for the Ignition Interlock program by purchasing an application from any Alberta Registry Agent and submitting it to Driver Fitness and Monitoring. You will receive a letter in the mail advising you of whether you have been accepted. You will then have to get the device installed in your vehicle and consult an Alberta Registry Agent to obtain a restricted driver’s licence.

The Traffic Safety Act does allow for exemptions to the mandatory blow box.

In order to be exempted, a driver must show it is not feasible to comply with the requirement. Feasibility is defined as “the physical incapacity or physical incapability to comply”.

Feasibility does not include financial constraints, vehicle inaccessibility, or occupational hardship. In place of the blow box, you may be able to serve a longer suspension or be given an additional condition.

Penalties for an Immediate Roadside Sanction in Alberta

An Immediate Roadside Sanction is not a criminal offence. Because it is issued by the Alberta Government and not the federal government, it will not show up on your criminal record. This holds true regardless of whether you fight the IRS or not.

However, an IRS can have very significant consequences.

Immediate consequences:

• Suspension: The suspension can vary depending on IRS but may be anywhere from 24 hours to 90 days and a lifetime of driving with a blow box. A first-time IRS Fail has a suspension duration of 15 months. After the initial 90-day period, you are eligible to apply for and participate in the Ignition Interlock program for 12 months. If you do not participate in the Ignition Interlock program, your licence will be suspended for an additional 12 months after the initial 90-day period (15 months total). It’s important to note that IRS: FAIL for the third time results in lifetime suspension.
• Costs of Ignition Interlock Program (approximate):

• • $63 + gst for the Alberta Registry Agent fee for the application,
  • $145 + gst for the installation ($245 for heavy trucks and specialty vehicles),
  • $95 + gst per month for renting the device, and
  • $50 + gst for the removal.

• Fines and Tow Bills: An IRS can come with heavy fines depending on the type of sanction. The amount can vary between $200 and $2,000. These fines may also include a victim fine surcharge, making it a costly penalty. Additionally, you will be required to pay any fees related to the seizure, towing, and storage of your vehicle.
• Cost of Mandatory Education Courses (approximate):

• • $159 + gst for the ½ day Crossroads course
  • $333 + gst for the 1 day Planning Ahead course
  • $976 + gst for the 2 day Impact course

Collateral consequences:

• Insurance premium spikes: Because it will show on your driver’s abstract that you participated in the Ignition Interlock program, your insurance provider may increase your insurance premiums.

Reviewing an Immediate Roadside Sanction in Alberta

How do I schedule a review to get my licence back?

The window of time for filing an IRS review is very short. You must initiate the review within 7 days of receiving the suspension in order to be heard by SafeRoads Alberta.

SafeRoads is the adjudicative branch of Alberta Transportation and resolves appeals within 30 days. The process for applying for a review is outlined on the back of your notice of administrative penalty and on the SafeRoads website.

There are several critical steps in this process:

1. Log in to the Saferoads online portal

The online portal allows suspended drivers to pay fines, access their disclosure, schedule a review of their suspension, and upload documents. You can access the portal on the SafeRoads website or click here. In order to find your matter, you will need to input your:

• Contravention number (found at the top of the Notice of Administrative Penalty),
• Last name,
• Date of birth, and
• Occurrence time.

2. Request the review

Once you log in to the portal, you may request a review of your IRS, either in written or oral form. This review has a non-refundable fee of $150. To request the review, find the box on the right side of the main page entitled “Apply for a Review”. It looks like this:

Note that you must request a review within 7 days of your suspension. While late reviews can be allowed up to 12 months after the date you are suspended, late reviews are only permitted in exceptional circumstances. These circumstances as per the Provincial Administrative Penalties Regulation include situations where you were unaware of the administrative penalty, you were unable to respond due to physical or mental incapacity, or you experienced unforeseen and unavoidable events rendering you unable to respond. Late reviews will be exceptional and you must take prompt action in order for it to be considered.

3. Schedule a review 

After requesting a review, you must then select a date and time. This date must be within 21 days of your suspension. You can change this date and time one time before the scheduled review however, it still must fall within 21 days of the suspension. While SafeRoads offers several options for a review slot, it cannot guarantee additional time slots will be available, so ensure you book a day that will allow time for your defence to be prepared. 

4. Upload your documents

Your written argument and any supporting documents (such as witness statements or photographs) can be submitted through the portal. They must be submitted at least 2 full calendar days before the scheduled review.

Regardless of the type of hearing you choose, SafeRoads will consider all the relevant information before it, including:

• Police disclosure including reports and notes,
• Sworn or affirmed statements,
• Footage such as Body Worn Camera and In-Car Digital Video (if available), and
• Any other relevant information.

If you want SafeRoads to consider your side of the story (beyond just the legal arguments), you should consider submitting an affidavit (a sworn or affirmed statement of your version of events) as part of your materials.

After considering the evidence and your submissions, SafeRoads will either uphold your licence suspension or cancel it.  In either case, they will notify you of their decision in writing within 30 days from the day the penalty was issued.

If your licence suspension is cancelled, you will be able to go to an Alberta Registry Agent to get your licence back. Additionally, you will be entitled to seizure cost reimbursement.

While all the above can be done by you, due to the technical nature of the review, it is highly recommended that you hire an experienced lawyer to help you with this process. Once retained, we can perform all the steps on your behalf.

What are the best arguments for a successful IRS review?

Although losing your driving privileges can have incredibly negative and potentially long-term consequences for you, SafeRoads cannot consider any issues of hardship caused by your licence suspension. For example, if you lose your job because you need a valid licence to work, or if you need your licence to drive your children to school, SafeRoads will not consider those factors in making its decision.

Impaired driving investigations are highly technical in nature and every case is fact-specific. The strongest arguments to successfully appeal your IRS will depend on the particular circumstances of your case.

The grounds for appeal of an IRS will typically include:

1. Factual innocence: You can argue that you did not commit the offence that you are being accused of. For example, if you received an IRS because you drove a motor vehicle while you were impaired, you can argue that you were not impaired or that you were not driving a vehicle.
2. Evidence was collected in a way that violated your rights: If the police collected evidence in a way that was inconsistent with your Charter Rights, this factor may be used to bolster your defence.
3. Reasonable excuse: If you received an IRS because the police claim that you refused or failed to comply with a demand, you can argue that you had a reasonable excuse to do so. For example, if you tried to provide a breath sample but were not able to because of a medical condition, or if you refused to provide a breath sample because you were not properly afforded your right to contact a lawyer, you may be able to convince SafeRoads that you had a reasonable excuse to fail to comply with the demand.
4. Legislative defences: There are a number of technical defences that our lawyers can utilize to appeal your licence suspension. For example, if the director did not provide complete records to the recipient as required by law, you may be able to argue that it would be unfair for SafeRoads to uphold your Notice of Administrative Penalty.

How can I help review my Immediate Roadside Sanction in Alberta?

If you have been served with an immediate roadside sanction in Alberta, the following can help your lawyer prepare their written or oral argument:

• Provide your lawyer with a statement about what happened;
• Collect and maintain all documents and record about the event;
• Gather a list of witnesses that may support your version of events; and
• Log any relevant texts, emails, receipts, prescriptions, or photographic evidence.

As soon as you can, you should start to gather any information that may be of use to your lawyer. What information is relevant will depend on the facts in your case. If you are uncertain about what information may be relevant, you should contact one of our lawyers immediately to create a plan of action for gathering information.

What can a lawyer do to help me review my Immediate Roadside Sanction in Alberta?

When you log into the SafeRoads portal, the Administrative Penalties Information System will provide you with access to the disclosure package that will be considered by SafeRoads in your hearing.

In preparation for the hearing, our lawyers will do the following:

1. Thoroughly review police actions and the evidence against you,
2. Prepare the arguments (oral or written) for your review hearing, and
3. Assemble evidence to support your arguments.

Some of the strategies that our lawyers use include:

• Preparing and having you and/or other witnesses swear or affirm an Affidavit in support of your version of events,
• Assembling photos and videos,
• Identifying mistakes in the actions of the police which undermine your Charter-protected rights,
• Researching past decisions that support your arguments, and
• Uncovering administrative and technical errors.

Our experienced impaired driving lawyers will then argue before SafeRoads, either in an oral hearing or with persuasive written arguments, that your licence suspension should be cancelled.

What’s Next?

We have tried our best to provide a general outline of what you can expect if you find yourself in this situation; however, IRS investigations (and the associated possible defences) are highly technical and fact-specific.

Even if you think that there is no hope that your review would be successful, our team of experienced DUI and IRS lawyers will review your case thoroughly and find as many arguments as possible to challenge your roadside suspension.

To learn more about how we can help, please contact our team of lawyers within the 7-day review period to conduct a thorough review of your situation. We will work with you to custom tailor a precise strategy to conduct a successful IRS review.

Immediate Roadside Sanctions FAQs

1. What is an Immediate Roadside Sanction?
2. How to Beat your Alberta Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS)
3. How long will my IRS suspension be?
4. How do I find the best lawyer for my DUI charge?
5. How will my DUI charge affect my license in Alberta?
6. How can I avoid a criminal record if I am guilty of a DUI?

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If you have been charged with a criminal offence, you need legal advice. Contact our Calgary criminal lawyers today for a free consultation.