DUI Lawyer
in Edmonton

Suspensions don’t always hold up when they’re challenged properly.

 If you received an Immediate Roadside Sanction in Alberta, you normally have only 7 days to request a SafeRoads review.

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I’m Vince Semenuk

I have defended over 750 DUI, impaired driving and roadside suspension cases in Alberta, and I win 90% of the roadside suspension cases I take.

I know what can be challenged and what can get a suspension overturned.

About me:

• Criminal Defence Lawyer serving Edmonton, Alberta
• DUI, impaired driving and roadside suspensions are a core part of my practice
• I regularly challenge Immediate Roadside Sanctions
• I will review what happened and explain where you stand
• My office answers calls 24/7
• Free consultation

Can’t talk right now?

Request a private callback. Fill out the contact form and tell me when and how it is safe to contact you.

Call me at (587) 415-0632

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An Immediate Roadside Sanction is not a criminal conviction

An Immediate Roadside Sanction is an administrative penalty. It is separate from a criminal impaired-driving charge.

You can receive an IRS without being charged criminally. In some cases, police may also lay a criminal charge.

If you thought you had been charged with DUI, keep the paperwork nearby and tell me what happened. I’ll explain whether you received an IRS, a criminal charge, or both—and what needs to happen next.

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You normally have 7 days to request a review

SafeRoads Alberta normally requires you to submit your review request within 7 days of the date your Notice of Administrative Penalty was issued.

When you submit the request, you pay the $150 non-refundable review fee and choose a review date. People often call this an appeal. SafeRoads Alberta calls it a review.

If you miss the normal deadline, you can request a late review for up to 12 months from the date the Notice was issued. You must show exceptional circumstances, and approval is not guaranteed. The late-review request has a separate $50 fee.

Do not rely on a late review. If you are still within the normal 7-day period, deal with it now.

Call me at (587) 415-0632.

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What clients have said

Here are three of the hundreds of five-star reviews clients have left for me.

I can not say enough good things about Vince and everything he did for me. He treated me so good, was honest about everything he told me about my case. I would recommend him to anyone that needs help. Thank You so much for treating me so well and helping me through a very difficult process and part of my life!!

— Kevin Fulton

Vince is hands down the best impaired/DUI lawyer. Clear communication and expectations from day 1. Notice of Administration was cancelled. Thank you!!

— Alex De Boer

I was issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty and wasn’t sure what to expect. Vince Semenuk handled my review and was able to get the NAP cancelled. His response time was fast, and he was very professional throughout the entire process. He kept me informed every step of the way and made everything much less stressful. Highly recommend his services

— Raafe Salam

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What I look for in an IRS case

The police have already decided to issue the sanction. That does not mean every part of the case was handled properly.

I want to know:

• Why you were stopped and what the officer observed
• What demand was made and what testing was done
• What result was recorded and whether you could provide a sample
• What happened if police say you refused
• Whether the required procedure was followed
• What the officer wrote and what your Notice of Administrative Penalty says
• Whether there are legal grounds to have the sanction cancelled

SafeRoads reviews are based on specific legal grounds. Needing your licence for work, school or family responsibilities is not, by itself, a reason for an adjudicator to cancel the sanction.

That is why I look closely at what actually happened.

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What if the roadside device showed Fail?

A Fail result is serious.

For a first IRS: FAIL, Alberta imposes:

• An immediate 90-day period when you cannot drive
• A further 12-month suspension; an eligible driver may participate in the IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program during this period to drive
• A 30-day vehicle seizure
• A $1,000 fine plus a 20% victim fine surcharge
• The Planning Ahead course

But a Fail result does not mean there is nothing to review.

I still want to know how the test was done, what happened at the roadside and what the evidence shows.

A Fail result is important. It is not the end of the review.

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What if police say you refused?

If police say you refused or failed to provide a sample, tell me exactly what happened.

I want to know what the officer asked you to do, whether you tried to provide a sample, whether you had trouble providing one, what you said, and what the officer recorded.

Do not assume that because the paperwork says refusal, there is nothing to look at.

Tell me what happened. I’ll explain what I would need to review.

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Losing your licence can affect much more than driving

For many people, the licence is the immediate problem. You may be worried about:

• Getting to work or keeping a job that requires driving
• Taking children to school or appointments
• Vehicle impoundment
• Insurance
• Ignition interlock
• Fines and other costs

Those concerns are real. But financial hardship and inconvenience are not grounds for cancelling an IRS Notice of Administrative Penalty.

The question I need to answer is:

Is there something in the case that can be challenged?

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What happens in a SafeRoads review?

You can choose an oral or written review. An adjudicator considers the arguments, supporting documents, police material and the law.

At the end of the review, the adjudicator can confirm or cancel the Notice of Administrative Penalty.

I review the police material, the testing, the paperwork and the legal grounds before deciding what should be raised.

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What happens when you call

You do not need to understand the SafeRoads process before you call me. Just tell me what happened, and have your Notice of Administrative Penalty and any other paperwork nearby.

I’ll explain:

• What kind of sanction you received
• Whether the normal 7-day deadline is still open
• What I would need to review
• What issues may matter
• What happens next

The initial consultation is free. There is no pressure or obligation.

Call me at (587) 415-0632.

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What people ask before they call

Can an Immediate Roadside Sanction be overturned?

Yes, depending on the case. A SafeRoads adjudicator can confirm or cancel the Notice of Administrative Penalty. Whether yours can be cancelled depends on the evidence and the grounds available.

Is an IRS the same as a DUI charge?

No. An Immediate Roadside Sanction is an administrative penalty. It is separate from a criminal impaired-driving charge, though some people face both.

How long do I have to challenge it?

You normally have 7 days from the date the Notice of Administrative Penalty was issued to submit your review request. You must pay the $150 review fee and choose a review date when you submit it.

What if I already missed the 7-day deadline?

You can request a late review for up to 12 months from the date the Notice was issued, but you must show exceptional circumstances. Approval is not guaranteed, and a $50 fee applies.

Do I need a lawyer for the review?

No. You can request and conduct a review yourself. Alberta also allows you to have a lawyer or agent represent you.

If you want me to review the case, tell me what happened and I’ll explain what I would look for.

Will I need an ignition interlock?

For a first IRS: FAIL, an eligible driver may use the IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program during the 12-month suspension that follows the initial 90-day no-driving period.

What does it cost to call?

The initial consultation is free. SafeRoads charges a separate review fee if you request a review. You can ask about my legal fees before deciding whether to hire me.

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Do not assume the suspension is final

The police have already made their decision. That does not mean you have to accept it without finding out whether it can be challenged.

If you received an Immediate Roadside Sanction in Edmonton, the normal review deadline is only 7 days.

Call Vince Semenuk: (587) 415-0632

Free consultation. My office answers calls 24/7.