You don’t have to be driving to be charged. Simply sitting in the driver’s seat with the keys nearby can trigger an impaired-related offence—and serious consequences.
Care or control charges often catch people by surprise. You may have pulled over to sleep, sat in a parked car to wait for a ride, or never intended to drive at all—yet still face the same penalties as if you had driven drunk. These cases hinge on fine details: where the keys were, how the vehicle was positioned, and what the police observed. We focus on breaking down those facts and presenting reasonable alternatives that show you were not a danger to the public. In a legal landscape where assumptions are dangerous, strategy matters.
Popular questions
What does “care or control” mean under Canadian law?
It refers to having the ability to set a vehicle in motion while impaired—even if you weren’t actually driving. Sitting in the driver’s seat with access to the keys can be enough.
Can I be charged if I was sleeping in my car?
What’s the penalty for care or control while impaired?
How can a lawyer defend a care or control charge?
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Our team will answer your questions and talk you through potential next steps.