The 5 Best DUI Lawyers in Calgary That’ll Help You Set the Record Straight
Most locals know how hard it is to get around Calgary. I’m pretty sure it’s even been voted as one of the least walkable cities in the country.
Now, imagine trying to go somewhere outside of the city center without a car. I don’t have to, since one of my friends never stopped complaining about it after he had his license suspended for a DUI.
According to him, it wasn’t even his fault; the breathalyzer produced a false positive. He was so confident about it that he decided to represent himself in court, but unfortunately choked in the moment.
After that experience, he tells anyone that would listen to save themself the trouble and go straight to the most reliable DUI lawyers in Calgary.
How much do DUI lawyers charge in Calgary?
In Calgary, DUI lawyers typically charge hourly rates ranging from $100 to $500 per hour or flat fees of around $2,500 to upwards of $10,000 to keep them on retainers.
The final rate will depend on the experience of your chosen lawyer and the complexity of the case.
1. Strategic Criminal Defence
Address: 396 11 Ave SW #840
Phone: +1 403 719 6410
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Strategic Criminal Defence started in 2007 and has now defended over 10,000 individuals across Alberta. They’ve got a huge team of lawyers who practice a wide range of areas, including firearms, property, and DUI offences.
If you ask us, their stats are pretty impressive. Plenty of clients have completely avoided convictions because of their help.
In some cases, such as those that involve people blowing over 80, they can hire toxicologists to strengthen the defence. They’ll also tirelessly collect and sift through vital evidence like medical documents and statements to find gaps.
You can depend on them to be available 24/7. From first appearance to final verdict, they’ll be there for you.
Naturally, though, this firm has become everyone’s first call the moment they’ve been pulled aside. This is why they can take a while to respond to inquiries.
He was able to get my charges dropped and all my tickets withdrawn
“Michael Oykhman is an amazing lawyer. He is very knowledgable of the law and strives to give you the best outcome. I am grateful that I was able to have Michael take care of my DUI case. He was straight forward, easy to communicate with and understanding of my financial situation. He was able to get my charges dropped and all my tickets withdrawn. I would highly recommend Michael to anyone in need of a lawyer.”
Gia A, Google Review
My amazing lawyer did wonders and fought on my behalf
“I was represented by Funda Mutlay for my 5 traffic related tickets. I was treated unfairly during a traffic stop and didn’t even know I had rights at the time until I spoke with Funda. My amazing lawyer did wonders and fought on my behalf and got all the tickets withdrawn after proving my rights were violated. If it wasn’t for Funda, I would have lost my license. I am very grateful and highly recommend this firm. She advocated for me in court but out of court, she treated me with kindness and took the time to explain my rights to me and always keep me in the loop.”
Mehmet Sahin, Google Review
2. JW Criminal Defence
Address: CORE Shopping Centre, 645 7 Ave SW #2650
Phone: +1 587 323 1919
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – Open 24 hours
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
A decade of working as a crown prosecutor gave Jason Wuttunee the skills to expertly navigate the local justice system. As a lawyer today, he and his team know how to achieve the most favourable results at the earliest stage of prosecution.
You can count on them to work extra fast for DUI or impaired driving cases. Many of their customers share that they received updates well into the night as his staff worked on a case.
In court, he’s concise and has a commanding presence. Not only is it effective, but it also empowers clients in the process.
Our favourite detail is that they treat every individual with respect and compassion. No matter how grave your charges are, they’ll trust you and work hard to save you from incurring a record.
However, Mr. Wuttunee is apparently much more agreeable in person than over the phone. Some people say that he can sound dismissive during calls.
This is the guy you want on your side, hands down
“I recently used Jason to defend me in a case I had with the odds stacked against me he won it no problem. This is the guy you want on your side hands down. I would recommend him time and time again. Very professional defence attorney. If you are in doubt looking for who you need to choose this is ur guy right here. Thanks again Jason, wish you and your colleagues all the best. :)”
Jordan Hodzic, Google Review
They saved me from not only prison, but from a record altogether
“I was facing a possible 18 month sentence. 9 charges ranging from DUI to credit card fraud. But since committing my offences I had rehabilitated and put in the work to turn my life around. Jason took on my caseload with understanding and showed me respect and grace. And saved me from not only prison, but from a record altogether. The man is a true gift to those in need. Worth every penny. Thank you Mr. Wuttunee!”
Kiel Wood, Google Review
3. Dunn & Associates
Address: AMEC Place, 801 6 Ave SW, Suite 2610
Phone: +1 403 233 0443
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Dunn & Associates has become a household name after handling multiple high-profile lawsuits in the past 40 years. They’re known for not backing down from a challenge, despite how impossible it seems to win.
Their team is comprised of several lawyers, all of whom prefer to keep their advice succinct and to the point. Still, their clients get plenty of reassurance from the constant communication and timely updates.
We particularly like that they see DUI offences as one of the most defensible. As proof of this, they’ve helped lots of drivers get their licenses reinstated.
They can be relentless during cross-examinations. They’ve got razor-sharp judgement and can easily spot cracks in the case against you.
But even if you get the best results, the overall experience can still depend on the lawyer you get assigned to. There have been complaints that some of them are less attentive and accommodating than others.
We won my case!
“I just recently had to go through a DUI case, which was stressful in of itself and Vincent immediately helped me. He looked through my paper work without any charge and told me he could definitely win my case. He seemed very confident and knew that he could do it. Well surprise !! We won my case! He always would respond to all of my questions even if it was late at night or early in the morning, or even a weekend. He was so helpful and very reassuring thank you so much Vincent !!!! 1000/5 stars.”
Trinity O’Connor, Google Review
The DUI was canceled and I got my license back
“I contacted Dunn and associates to help my when I got served my DUI ( IRS Fail) and I talked to Vincent Semenuk, he explained everything to me that I needed to know and took my case on, then after he did my review he went to court for me and won my case so the DUI was canceled and I got my license back, I would highly recommend this law firm it this happend to you because Vincent knows his job very well and could definitely help a person out, and he did. Thank you Dunn and associates for everything!!”
Terry Berry, Google Review
4. Susan Karpa Criminal Defence
Address: 535 10 Ave SW, Suite 201
Phone: +1 587 888 7149
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM
More than 1,500 individuals have relied on Susan Karpa and her firm to defend them in court. Over the years, her team has gotten plenty of driving charges withdrawn.
If you decide to hire them, you should know that they expect you to be collaborative. They’ll provide you with detailed instructions on what to do and keep you in the loop for any developments.
You can trust that they’ll leave no stone unturned. These experts thoroughly explore every avenue of defence, from analyzing obtained samples to investigating witness testimonies.
We were very impressed to learn that they can cut down the length of lawsuits by months. This is especially great for those with complicated cases, like the ones involving high blood alcohol content, which usually take years.
Unfortunately, this level of expertise doesn’t come cheap. Their rates are a bit higher than those of other firms.
She can turn a seemingly lost case into a victory
“Susan claims she’s a defence lawyer but honestly, she’s a magician in the courtroom. She can turn a seemingly lost case into a victory. Her years of expertise as a former prosecutor and extensive knowledge of the law commands respect in the courtroom. Her tenacity is unbridled and her skills unparalleled. Susan Karpa is the best female lawyer in Calgary, hands down. It’s not even a question. Sometimes your case just needs a woman’s touch. Thank you, Susan!”
Matt W, Google Review
In the end, the best possible outcome was in fact achieved
“I cannot thank Susan Karpa enough for the work that she did on my case, which lasted about 17 months. Throughout all of this, Susan was consistently supportive, thorough, and direct. She expected a lot from me in terms of preparation and cooperation, which I came to appreciate because it showed how seriously she took my defence and how committed she was to helping me achieve the best possible outcome. In the end, the best possible outcome was in fact achieved. Susan’s dedication, professionalism, and persistence made an incredibly difficult period of my life manageable. I’m extremely grateful for her hard work and would highly recommend her to anyone needing a strong criminal defence lawyer.”
Sergei Kvartler, Google Review
5. Defend Your DUI
Address: 396 11 Ave SW
Phone: +1 403 266 4440
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
As the name suggests, Defend Your DUI is primarily focused on handling driving offences, such as impaired driving and immediate roadside sanctions (IRS). Their team has defended more than 10,000 cases across the country.
They’ve built a reputation on successfully avoiding convictions. If charges can’t be withdrawn, their lawyers will work hard during the trial and convince the judge to dismiss your case.
We’re sure that you’ll appreciate their free initial consultation, which will shed light on your current situation. They’ll also review your documents and form a tailored strategy for your next steps.
Once things are set in motion, it’s pretty convenient that they’re available 24/7. You can reach out with questions any time, even during weekends and holidays.
The only thing they need to improve on is the frequency of their updates. Some clients felt like they were in the dark during some parts of the process.
Thanks to their expertise, we achieved a great outcome
“I had an excellent experience working with my lawyer Laura Bobyn. She was knowledgeable, professional, and confident throughout the entire process. She clearly knew what she was doing, which gave me peace of mind. Thanks to her expertise, we achieved a great outcome that I was happy to accept. I highly recommend her services!”
August Brar, Google Review
I am very happy with the deal I got
“I highly recommend Joseph Beller. I got a DUI for the first time and of course was scared out of my mind. Joseph Beller and the rest of the team eased my mind about the whole process. Definitely great customer service and professionalism. I am also very happy with the deal I got. If I ever (which I hope I don’t) get into any other trouble, Joseph Beller is the one I will call on. Thank you so much for everything!”
Luk Luk, Google Review