If you were charged with impaired driving in the Region of Peel, in Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon, your case will be heard at the Brampton courthouse, one of the busiest in Ontario. The lawyers below defend impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, over 80, and failing or refusing a breath or bodily fluid demand across Peel.

Peel Regional Police run roadside checks year-round, use approved screening devices and have Drug Recognition Expert officers. A charge here deserves a careful look at how the stop and the testing were done.

Mississauga and Brampton Impaired Driving Lawyers

Firms listed are independent and pay a flat advertising fee. Contact them directly to arrange a consultation.

Looking for one city only? See Mississauga impaired driving lawyers or Brampton impaired driving lawyers.

Impaired Driving Charges in Peel Region

It is a Criminal Code offence to operate a vehicle, or to have care or control of it, while your ability to drive is impaired to any degree by alcohol, drugs or both. Roadside screening is often followed by tests on an approved instrument at a police station.

Common charges

  • Impaired operation: based on the driving, the officer’s observations and coordination tests.
  • Over 80: 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood or more within two hours of driving.
  • Failing or refusing a demand: refusing a breath or blood demand without a reasonable excuse, with a $2,000 minimum fine for a first offence.
  • Impaired driving causing bodily harm or death: charges laid after a collision that causes serious injury or a death.

Roadside Sanctions and Penalties in Ontario

Ontario’s current rules (in force since July 1, 2026) apply the moment you are charged:

  • 0.08 or over, a failed or refused test, or a poor Drug Recognition Expert evaluation: an immediate 90-day licence suspension, a 7-day vehicle impoundment and a $550 penalty, plus a remedial education or treatment program.
  • Warn range (0.05 to 0.079): 7 days and $250 the first time, then 14 days and $350, then 30 days, $450 and six months of ignition interlock.
  • Drivers 21 and under, G1/G2 and M1/M2 drivers, and commercial drivers: zero alcohol and zero drugs.

A Criminal Code conviction adds a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offence ($1,500 or $2,000 for higher readings, and $2,000 for a refusal), a driving prohibition, and minimum jail of 30 days for a second offence and 120 days for a third. Ontario then suspends your licence for at least one year on a first conviction and requires an education or treatment program and at least a year of ignition interlock. Our guides cover Ontario licence suspensions, ignition interlock and getting your licence back.

Defence Issues in Peel Impaired Driving Cases

A Peel defence lawyer reviews the disclosure for Charter breaches and procedural errors. Issues that often come up include:

  • Charter rights (sections 8, 9 and 10): the reason for the stop, an arbitrary detention, the search, and how quickly you were allowed to speak to a lawyer.
  • The breath testing: the instrument’s maintenance and calibration logs and the technician’s qualifications.
  • Timing: whether the samples were taken within the time limits in the Criminal Code.
  • Other explanations: whether what the officer saw could be due to a medical condition, an injury, fatigue or the surroundings.

Results always depend on the facts. A lawyer can tell you where your case stands before you decide how to plead.

The Brampton Courthouse

Impaired driving charges from Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon go to the courthouses at 7755 and 7765 Hurontario Street in Brampton. Check your paperwork for the courtroom and the date of your first appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an impaired driving conviction give me a criminal record?

Yes. A conviction creates a criminal record, which can affect jobs, travel to the United States and insurance. A record suspension can be applied for only after a waiting period. A lawyer can explain the realistic outcomes for your case.

Can I fight the 90-day roadside suspension?

The 90-day administrative suspension starts immediately and is separate from the criminal charge. Ask a lawyer whether any review is available in your situation; winning the criminal case does not cancel a suspension that has already been served.

What if I refuse the breath test at the police station?

Refusing a lawful demand without a reasonable excuse is its own criminal offence. The minimum fine for a first refusal is $2,000, higher than the $1,000 minimum for a first impaired or over 80 conviction.

Do I need a lawyer for my first court date in Brampton?

You are not required to have one, but a lawyer can often attend for you, request the disclosure and explain your options before any decision is made.

General information about impaired driving law in Ontario as of November 2026, not legal advice. Speak with a lawyer about your own situation.

Sources: Government of Ontario, Impaired driving; Criminal Code of Canada, ss. 320.14–320.19; Government of Ontario, Ontario court locations.