About Richard Aitken

Richard Aitken is the founder of Aitken Robertson Barristers & Solicitors and amongst one of Canada’s most experienced impaired driving defence lawyers. Called to the Ontario Bar in 1984, he has spent over 40 years practicing criminal law, with the last two decades heavily focused on defending drinking and driving cases. Over the course of his career, he has taken thousands of impaired driving cases to trial, often securing favourable outcomes for his clients. Richard’s early years in law saw him working as a part-time Assistant Crown Attorney for the Ministry of the Attorney General, a role he held for nearly twenty years. This experience gave him rare insight into the strategies and methods of the prosecution—insight he now uses to the advantage of his clients in every defence he builds. Originally practicing in a range of criminal matters, his focus gradually shifted toward impaired driving, an area in which he has developed extensive legal and scientific knowledge. As one of the few Canadian members of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), Richard has invested heavily in advanced training across North America. His credentials include certification and in-depth training in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE), metrology (the science of measurement for breath test instruments), and the operation of both the Intoxilyzer 5000C and Intoxilyzer 8000C—the breath testing devices used by Ontario police. He owns an Intoxilyzer 8000TM himself, allowing him and his team to train with the same technology used in the field and identify operational or maintenance issues that may affect test results. His training has taken him to Atlanta, New Orleans, Hollywood, Montreal, and Fort Collins, Colorado—where he attended the prestigious Serious Science for Serious Lawyers: Advanced Course in Blood Alcohol Analysis & Trial Advocacy as the only Canadian lawyer enrolled. He has learned directly from some of the most respected DUI defence attorneys, scientists, and technical experts in North America. Richard’s approach to defence is client-focused and thorough. He begins by listening carefully and without judgment to his clients’ accounts, then develops a trial strategy that not only examines what witnesses say but also why they choose specific wording—an approach that has proven highly effective in cross-examination. He is known for his blunt, honest advice, his ability to simplify complex legal and scientific concepts, and his commitment to achieving the best possible result for every client. In addition to his DUI work, Richard continues to represent clients in other criminal matters, often in cases where alcohol is a contributing factor. He believes strongly in continuing legal education, ensuring that both he and his team remain at the forefront of impaired driving law, science, and advocacy.

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