Talk to a Glendale DUI drugs lawyer if you face a drug-related DUI charge. While most people know that driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol can lead to DUI charges, few realize that drug use can also lead to DUI charges. If a police officer conducts a traffic stop and finds sufficient evidence that the driver is operating his or her vehicle under the influence of illicit drugs, the driver faces a DUI conviction. Call the Stewart Law Group today for a free consultation.
Some individuals may be able to defend against a drug-related DUI charge using various defenses. For example, medical marijuana is legal in Arizona for individuals with qualifying medical conditions. If a police officer wrongfully arrested a driver for legally obtained medical cannabis products, and the driver can prove that he or she purchased those products with a valid medical marijuana card at a licensed dispensary and was not under the influence of marijuana at the time of the traffic stop, he or she could avoid conviction.
Many prescription drugs can interfere with driving ability, and it is important for all Arizona drivers to remember that even legal drug use such as the consumption of prescription medication may lead to a drug DUI charge if the side effects of the medication interfere with the ability to safely drive a vehicle. Contact the Stewart Law Group today if you face a drug-related DUI charge and schedule a consultation with a criminal defense lawyer in Glendale. Once we know the details of the charges against you, we will let you know your legal options.
Some people mistakenly believe they can handle their own legal representation and avoid paying legal fees. Others opt for public defenders as a low-cost option for legal representation. While most public defenders are great attorneys, they simply cannot provide the same level of personalized attention to a DUI drugs case that a private law firm like the Stewart Law Group can offer. Hiring a criminal defense attorney greatly increases the chance of lighter sentencing and helps prevent unjust and wrongful punishments.
A police officer who conducts a traffic stop for a suspected drug-related DUI cannot test for the presence of most drugs using standard testing equipment like a breathalyzer, so the officer will most likely issue a blood, saliva, or urine test to confirm the presence of drugs in the driver’s system. Any detectable amount of illicit drugs could lead to a DUI charge, even if the driver is not currently feeling the effects of those drugs. Some illicit drugs remain in the body for days or even weeks following use. Even though a driver may no longer feel the effects of an illicit drug, he or she may still receive a DUI charge for a positive test.
A first-time drug DUI conviction could incur penalties including no less than 10 consecutive days in jail, fines of $1,250 or more, mandatory alcohol and drug screenings, counseling, driver’s license suspension, and community service. A second offense increases these penalties to no less than 90 days in jail, fines of $3,000 or more, and driver’s license suspension for one year or more. Additionally, a drug-related DUI could lead to additional drug charges. For example, if a police officer spots a baggie containing drugs in plain view from the driver’s window, the driver could face possession charges in addition to a drug DUI. Our Glendale drug crimes lawyers can help you build a case to combat the possession charges as well as the drug DUI charges.