Baltimore DUI Drug Lawyer
If a person is considered to be under the influence of a dangerous substance that impairs their ability to drive, they can be charged with driving under the influence. The penalties associated with a drug DUI do not differ from those of an alcohol-related DUI and can include incarceration, points on a person’s driver’s license, and significant fines. People are subject to probation and the associated sanctions like community service, drug education and treatment, and anything else a judge might deem appropriate.
Because drug-related DUI charges are serious criminal matters, anyone facing these charges should seek the services of a Baltimore DUI drug lawyer as soon as possible. A well-versed criminal lawyer understands the differences between drug and alcohol DUIs and can craft a defense tailored to the facts of your case. Call today to schedule a consultation.
Legal Prescription Drug DUIs
People often do not recognize that even if the drugs are legal or prescribed, an individual could be charged with a crime if they are under the influence or impaired when operating a motor vehicle. For comparison, consuming alcohol is perfectly legal in all 50 states of the country for those over age 21. At the same time, driving while impaired by alcohol is a crime.
In the same way, when someone is prescribed medication or buys an over-the-counter medication that has the potential to impair their ability to drive a motor vehicle, they are not permitted to consume that and operate a vehicle while impaired. There is no excuse to say that because the drug is legally prescribed, it is not illegal to be operating motor vehicle while impaired or under the influence of the drug.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Antihistamines, sleep aids, cold and cough medications, and other over-the-counter medications might impair drivers on the road in the same way that alcohol does. An individual should always read labels and take note of a warning label that indicates the substance could impair one’s ability to operate a vehicle. They should heed those warnings to avoid getting into trouble if they drive a vehicle under the influence or impaired by a controlled substance other than alcohol.
Mistakes to Avoid in a DUI Case
One of the biggest mistakes to avoid in a DUI drug case is to make admissions to the officer about taking over-the-counter medications because they are legal and it is acceptable to do so. They should never lie to a police officer, but they are not obligated to volunteer information. As the law says, people have the right to remain silent and anything that they say can be used against them. Anyone arrested for a DUI should let a qualified attorney decide which questions to answer.
A person should recognize that any statements they make about medications or drugs they took when they were behind the wheel of a car could be used against them in court or when there is a suspicion of driving while impaired or under the influence. No one chooses to give the state more evidence against them to successfully criminally prosecute them for an offense. It is important to remain silent and request that the officer give them an opportunity to speak with a Baltimore DUI drug lawyer before answering any questions.
Importance of Hiring a DUI Attorney
Contacting an experienced Baltimore DUI drug lawyer is important after being arrested because Baltimore has well-trained criminal prosecutors and police officers. Police officers in Baltimore make few mistakes, but they do make mistakes on a regular basis. A person should work with a drug DUI attorney who has knowledge of the officers, prosecutors, and judges to build an effective defense when preparing a response to the allegations in the case.