Drugged Driving: Learn About Your Rights From An Experienced Attorney
Just like driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs can lead to a conviction. Unlike alcohol, however, there is no legal limit for the amount of drugs you are allowed to have in your system while driving. Even a small amount of a controlled substance in your system is enough to result in a DUI/DWAI charge. However, there is room to dispute charges.
Attorney Care Enichen knows this is a frightening time. She offers compassionate, caring representation without the judgement. She genuinely cares about her clients, their cases and their futures. She is a strong advocate in court with an overwhelming success rate.
What Drugs Put You At Risk Of A DUI?
Most people are not aware of how easily a drugged driving charge can happen. Almost any drug has the potential to affect your ability to operate a vehicle properly — even common over-the-counter medications.
While some drugged driving charges are due to illegal drugs or marijuana, many others are from legally obtained prescription medications and ordinary drugs that can be obtained at any pharmacy. Some common culprits include:
- Prescription painkillers, including Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycontin
- Muscle relaxants like Soma, Norflex and Zanaflex
- Anxiety medications, including Valium and Xanax
- Sleep aids such as Lunesta and Ambien
- Allergy medications, including Claritin, Dimetapp and Benadryl
- Cold symptom relievers such as Sudafed, Mucinex and Allegra
- Antidepressants like Pristiq or Wellbutrin
Many people experience unexpected drowsiness or other problems with concentration, especially when they just begin a new medication. They may not even realize the drug was affecting their ability to function normally until they are pulled over and arrested.
It is a common reaction to tell an officer that you are taking a new medication when you are pulled over in order to explain that you are not drunk — thinking that the officer will understand. Unfortunately, that hands the officer all the ammunition needed to make an arrest.
How Much Marijuana Needs To Be In My System To Be Charged With Drugged Driving?
In Colorado, you can be charged with an offense if your blood contains 5 nanograms or more of THC per milliliter of blood at the time of an offense or within a reasonable time after. You may face administrative penalties (that impact your driving privileges) and criminal penalties (such as fines and jail time), depending on the circumstances.
Call Today If You Have Been Charged With Drugged Driving
No matter what your circumstances, Care Enichen can offer both compassion and experienced guidance. There are no judgments here. Care has an extensive background as a criminal lawyer. She has served as both a judge and a district attorney and has a high rate of success with her trials.
Just like a drunk driving conviction, drugged driving can cost you up to $500 in fines and result in six months in jail. That makes it critical to do everything you can to protect your rights. Call The Law Office of Care Enichen, LLC, in Boulder, Colorado, at 720-443-4166 or contact us online today.