Charged With DUI in Halifax?

If police stopped you, tested you, and released you with paperwork, your case has already started even if court is weeks away.

Most people leave unsure what the paperwork means, whether they can still drive, and what they are supposed to do next.

Some try to explain what happened.
Some contact others involved.
Some assume they should wait for court.

Those are often the moments that quietly damage a defence.

Before taking any step, it helps to understand where you actually stand.

Call Pat Atherton at (902) 609-5468
Free confidential consultation. Straight answers. No pressure.

Why the First Few Days Matter

An impaired driving case does not begin in court. It begins now.

Early decisions can affect licence consequences, how evidence is preserved, and whether certain arguments remain available later.

Many cases are not won later. They are protected early.

A short conversation can help you avoid steps that cannot be undone.

A Halifax DUI Lawyer Focused on Technical Defence

Pat Atherton is a Halifax criminal defence lawyer who has spent more than 20 years focused on impaired driving, DUI, and refusal charges.

A large part of DUI defence comes down to technical proof. Breath testing procedure. Observation periods. Machine function. Toxicology. Documentation. Timing.

Pat has spent years working with toxicologists and studying how breath testing equipment is supposed to function, and where it can fail. He knows what to look for, what to request, and what details matter.

When you call, the first step is understanding your situation and what matters right now.

What Is At Stake

An impaired driving charge can affect your licence, your employment, your criminal record, your ability to travel to the United States, and your insurance costs for years.

Understanding the process early helps you avoid outcomes that did not have to happen.

How Pat Atherton Helps

He reviews the disclosure and checks whether breath testing steps were followed properly.

He identifies procedural issues, breath testing errors, and potential Charter violations where they exist.

He represents you in court or advises you on negotiated outcomes when appropriate.

He explains your options clearly so you can make decisions with your eyes open, not out of panic.

Why Details Matter Early

In one case, a driver failed a breath test and was charged with impaired driving.

The officer was required to observe the driver for a set period before administering the test. That did not happen.

The charge did not proceed.

Not every case ends that way.
But impaired driving cases often turn on technical details that are easy to miss and harder to fix later.

What Clients Say

“The pressure was huge. I thought my life was over. But once my case was explained properly, I finally understood my options. I got clear advice and a real defence, and I was treated with respect from start to finish.”

“I was ready to plead guilty, but I am so glad I called. The lawyer saw things I completely missed. The result was better than I ever expected.”

Speak With a Halifax DUI Lawyer

You do not need to solve everything today.
You just need to avoid the wrong first step.

Call (902) 609-5468 to speak with Pat Atherton

Free confidential consultation.
Straight answers about what happens next.