DUI Charges & Drugs

Driving Under the Influence of Narcotics

A DUI involving illegal drugs presents a serious legal situation for the defendant. Also known as a DUID or driving under the influence of drugs, in such an instance, there are three separate legal processes which you will need to address. These are the DUI charge in the criminal court, the actions the DMV may take against you, and the criminal drug charge. Of course each will affect the others but each must also be addressed in and of itself. A drug includes anything type of substance that can affect the brain, muscles or nervous system of a person.

As a breath test cannot be used to confirm the presence of drugs in one's system, a blood or urine test will be administered. As results are not instantaneous, the DMV will not instantly confiscate your license; a conviction is required for a license suspension to occur. If convicted, DUI penalties will be leveled on an enhanced basis due to the additional criminal charge.

Consequences of a Conviction

The crime of driving under the influence of drugs alone is considered a misdemeanor. It is increased to a felony charge when there is a prior DUI conviction, a third party is injured from a resulting accident and if it is a subsequent or fourth DUI offense. Penalties for a DUI offense involving drugs will typically result in fines of $1800, DUI school, suspension of a driver’s license, a jail sentencing and up to five years of DUI probation.

Our firm offers the service of attorneys who are highly trained in all aspects of DUI cases. We have the knowledge with which to question drug test results and may find they do not qualify to be used against you as evidence. If you are found guilty, we can propose consideration of certain circumstances in an effort to achieve lesser penalties for both the DUI and drug charges.