Orange County Drug DUI Lawyer
DUI Charges Are Not Limited To Only Alcohol - Drugged Driving Defense
Although most DUI arrests are alcohol-related, a person can also be arrested
for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). This may involve legal
prescription drugs or illegal controlled substances. When a person is
driving and his or her abilities are impaired by having ingested, injected,
inhaled, or otherwise absorbed drugs, this may be grounds for a DUID arrest
and charge.
Gold & Witham: Powerful DUID Defense
There is no legal limit in cases involving drugs; the sole determination
of guilt will be upon whether the driver was in fact impaired. Gold &
Witham is familiar with defending DUID cases and understands how to effectively
prove that a driver’s abilities were not impaired.
The prosecution must prove that the driver was unable to operate a motor
vehicle at the same level of caution and ability as a person who had not
taken any drugs in the same or similar circumstances. Our lawyers can
use this to a client's favor and find evidence, testimony, or information
that supports the client’s case. Our lawyers at Gold & Witham
have 40+ years of combined experience in criminal law; our dedication
to our clients’ cases, as well as our hard work in the field of
DUI defense, have given us an edge in the courtroom.
Blood, Chemical & Urine Testing
A
breathalyzer test is not administered in a DUID arrest. Instead, a blood test or urine test
is generally administered, as well as
field sobriety tests beforehand.
The evidence a defendant will be up against in court will include:
- How you were driving;
- Field sobriety test results; and
- Chemical test results (blood or urine tests).
For greater accuracy, a drug recognition expert (DRE) may be assigned to
your case. These DREs are police officers who are specially trained to
identify drug impairment in individuals. The DRE will conduct a 12-step
procedure which includes things like a breath test, arresting officer
interview, dark room examinations and a toxicological exam.
Contacting an Orange County DUI Attorney
There are seven drug categories that you may be arrested for DUID (DUI
of Drugs) for. Those include nervous system depressants (i.e. anxiety
and muscle pain drugs), inhalants, anesthetics, marijuana and other illegal
narcotics. Charges will likely differ depending on what type of drug was
found in the system. Most commonly, DUID is a misdemeanor offense.
It is crucial that a driver work with an aggressive and experienced DUID
lawyer when facing driving under the influence of drugs charges. It will
take dedication and hard work to disprove the prosecution’s case
and help a driver avoid a conviction. If you're looking for a law
firm that can deliver,
contact an Orange County DUID attorney from Gold & Witham!