Lawyer Tried to Talk His Way Out of DUI—Now He’s Suspended

On May 28, 2023, he was pulled over in Surrey by an RCMP officer and failed two preliminary breath tests. But it wasn’t just his blood alcohol level that raised eyebrows.

According to a ruling by the Law Society of B.C., Bains attempted to persuade the officer to ignore an immediate driving prohibition. During the stop, he presented his Law Society membership card and said, “We work in the same field, doesn’t that count for something?”

That comment prompted the officer to file a formal complaint, leading to a disciplinary hearing where the panel found that Bains’ behavior could be seen as an attempt to leverage his professional status.

“The respondent admits that his status as a lawyer was not relevant to the officer’s decision to issue a driving prohibition,” the ruling stated.

This wasn’t Bains’ first brush with impaired driving laws. He had previously received roadside prohibitions in 2019 and 2021. In the most recent incident, he had attended a private gathering where he consumed between three and five alcoholic beverages and became “intoxicated,” according to the panel.

In addition to the one-month suspension, Bains was ordered to pay CAD 1,000 in legal costs. He also received a CAD 500 fine, a 90-day driving ban, and had his vehicle impounded for 30 days.

The Law Society of B.C. emphasized the broader message behind the disciplinary action: “The length of the suspension sends a message to the public that we take this type of conduct seriously and will act when lawyers attempt to gain preferential treatment because of their profession.”

The case raises important questions about ethics and accountability and highlights the importance of legal professionals abiding by the same standards as everyone else. Trust in the justice system hinges not only on legal rules but on conduct that is perceived as fair and principled—a trust that can be easily undermined by behavior that appears self-serving.

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