Dangerous Driving Charge
in Toronto? Criminal Record
& Imprisonment at Stake.
Dangerous driving under Criminal Code s.320.13 is a serious criminal offence. A conviction means a criminal record, mandatory driving prohibition, possible imprisonment, and catastrophic insurance consequences. Get experienced defence now.
Criminal Code s.320.13 — Dangerous Operation
This Is a Criminal Charge. Treat It That Way.
Unlike HTA offences, dangerous driving is a criminal matter prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Canada. A conviction creates a federal criminal record that can affect your employment, professional licensing, travel rights, and immigration status — in addition to a mandatory driving prohibition and possible imprisonment.
The legal threshold for dangerous driving is a "marked departure" from the standard of care of a reasonable driver. This is a higher bar than careless driving. We challenge whether the Crown can prove this standard, scrutinize the evidence, and explore every Charter-based and substantive defence available.
Call 416-274-2222 immediately. Criminal matters require urgent action.
We assess whether your rights were violated during the stop or investigation. Evidence obtained in breach of Charter rights can be excluded, often fatally undermining the Crown's case.
We obtain complete disclosure and scrutinize every piece of evidence — accident reconstructions, video, witness statements — for weaknesses the Crown cannot overcome.
We explore reduction to HTA careless driving (no criminal record) wherever available, and provide experienced trial representation if the matter proceeds.
Professional criminal defence at a known cost upfront. The stakes are too high not to be represented.
Real-World Scenarios
Common Dangerous Driving Scenarios
Dangerous driving charges typically arise from serious incidents. These are some of the scenarios we regularly defend.
Extreme Speed on a Residential Street
Driving at a speed grossly excessive for the road conditions, particularly in areas with pedestrians, cyclists, or children present.
Aggressive Weaving Through Highway Traffic
Repeated unsafe lane changes at high speed characterized by police as a marked departure from reasonable driving.
Collision Causing Serious Injury
A crash resulting in bodily harm where police conclude the manner of driving — not just the outcome — was dangerous.
Upgraded From a Provincial Charge
What started as a careless driving or stunt driving investigation is escalated to a criminal dangerous driving charge based on the severity of the facts.
What We Handle
Dangerous Driving Matters We Defend
From straightforward dangerous operation to causing bodily harm or death — we provide experienced criminal defence for all CC s.320.13 charges in Toronto.
How It Works
Our Step-by-Step Approach
Dangerous driving is a criminal charge. We treat it with the same urgency as any other criminal matter. Call us immediately — your right to counsel is fundamental and time-sensitive.
If you have been arrested and held, we attend your bail hearing to secure your release on the least restrictive conditions. Driving prohibitions as bail conditions are common and we argue against unnecessary restrictions.
We obtain complete Crown disclosure — police notes, accident reconstruction reports, video evidence, witness statements, and any expert reports. Thorough disclosure review is the foundation of effective criminal defence.
We assess whether your Charter rights were violated during the stop, investigation, or arrest. A breach of s.8 (unreasonable search), s.9 (arbitrary detention), or s.10 (right to counsel) can result in evidence exclusion.
We engage the Crown to explore resolution options. Where available, we argue for reduced charges. If the matter proceeds to trial, we present a full defence in the Ontario Court of Justice or Superior Court.
If a conviction cannot be avoided, we advocate for the most favourable sentence possible — minimizing any driving prohibition period, seeking non-custodial sentences where appropriate, and protecting your future.
Dangerous Driving Is a Criminal Offence. Your Record Is at Risk.
Legal Solutions Law Firm provides experienced dangerous driving defence. Free consultation — call now.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving Clients Across Toronto and the GTA
Dangerous Driving: When a Traffic Incident Becomes a Criminal Matter
The line between careless driving and dangerous driving is not always clear at the scene of an incident. Police and Crown prosecutors often make that call based on limited information, and charges are sometimes upgraded from HTA offences to Criminal Code charges without strong justification. Our first task in any dangerous driving file is to assess whether the conduct described genuinely meets the "marked departure" standard required for criminal liability.
Many dangerous driving charges arise from single incidents — an accident, a moment of aggression, a stretch of road where speed was the only issue. In those cases, we often have meaningful grounds to challenge the Crown's case or to negotiate a resolution that avoids a criminal record. A reduction to careless driving under the HTA is, in many ways, a significant outcome: no criminal record, and far less impact on insurance, employment, and travel.
The Stakes Are Real
A federal criminal record follows you for life unless you obtain a Record Suspension (formerly pardon) from the Parole Board of Canada. It shows up on RCMP background checks, affects employment in many fields, and can prevent entry into the United States. If you are facing a dangerous driving charge, the only appropriate response is aggressive, experienced legal defence. Call 416-274-2222 now.
Free Resources
Tools & Guides
Wondering how long this could stay on your record, or whether your employer will see it? These free tools and guides can help:
Speak With a Lawyer About Your Dangerous Driving Charge
Dangerous driving is a criminal offence with life-altering consequences. Call Legal Solutions Law Firm for a free consultation — experienced criminal defence, flat fees.