DUI Drugs
When most people hear the term DUI, they think of drunk-driving. While driving after drinking can certainly be Driving Under the Influence, the law does not restrict itself to alcohol. In other words, the DUI laws are not just about driving after drinking, but rather they are about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While people don’t always think about the drugs aspect of DUI, the police and prosecutors certainly do. The fact is, if a police officer believes that you are driving under the influence, he or she probably doesn’t really care exactly what you are under the influence of. The investigation will probably be very similar, but there are some things that you should know. If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence of drugs, contact the dedicated Denver criminal defense law firm of Alaurice Tafoya-Modi immediately to protect your options.
Driving Under the Influence of Illicit Drugs
The law that people seem to associate most with DUI is the law that sets a legal limit on the amount of alcohol in a driver’s blood. Referred to as “DUI per se”, there is currently no equivalent for other drugs. What this means is that there is not a specific legal limit. What this DOES NOT MEAN is that it is legal to drive after using drugs. It is important to understand that the law says that it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, it is also important to understand that this means that the investigation process of DUI is different than when the offense involves alcohol. Because the police do not have physical evidence such as a blood or breath test to fall back on, more rests of the case rests on observation. A dedicated Denver DUI defense lawyer can help get the best possible outcome from a bad situation.
In some DUI cases, police obtain evidence illegally, or rely on weak evidence to obtain a conviction in DUI cases. In these cases, it may be possible to have charges dropped altogether, or to achieve an acquittal at trial. While many people do not think of DUI as a serious crime, this is a mistake. A conviction for DUI can not only result in jail time and loss of driving privileges, but it may affect other areas of your life as well. Many jobs require driving, and many employers will not hire employees with criminal convictions. The best possible representation can be key to getting your life back.
Driving Under the Influence of Legal Medication
One thing that many people forget is that the fact that a drug is legal does not mean that it is legal to drive immediately after taking it. Many medications, both prescription and otherwise, cause side-effects such as drowsiness or delayed reaction time that make driving unsafe. If you are taking any medication, you should always be sure that you know whether it is safe to drive after taking it. If the medicine impairs your ability to drive safely, you may still be subject to DUI.
Protect Your Rights
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence of drugs, be sure to contact an experienced, aggressive Denver DUI defense attorney immediately. Alaurice Tafoya-Modi possesses a thorough understanding on not only the law, but of the methods used to enforce the law, and the best ways to defend these charges. If you have been charged with a crime that you didn’t commit, Mrs. Tafoya-Modi will fight for dismissal of the charges, or acquittal. If you have simply made a terrible mistake, she will work to get the best possible outcome for your situation.