Maryland DUI Drug Lawyer

A person can be charged with DUI for a drug related impairment. There are two different varieties for these types of charges. A person can be charged with driving under the influence of illegal drugs. If it is suspected that the person is driving under the influence of something such as cocaine, marijuana, or heroin, then that person could be charged with driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. A Maryland DUI drug lawyer can be of assistance with this type of case.

A person can also be charged with driving under the influence of medications that are prescribed to them or even over the counter medications. The fact that someone has a prescription for a particular drug is not a defense to driving under the influence of that drug. There a lot of medications that can be prescribed that will impact a person’s ability to be able to drive a vehicle safely. There are medications that cause a person to become drowsy, or affect hand and eye coordination.

All of those things could lead to a person being charged with driving under the influence of drugs, even when the drugs are prescribed and are taken pursuant to their prescription. Talk to a professional DUI lawyer for more regarding DUI drug related impairments.

• Drug Testing
• Charges
• Involuntary Intoxication

DUI Drug Penalties

If a person is convicted of driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, the maximum penalty is a year in jail and/or a $1000 fine. Basically the same penalty as driving under the influence of alcohol. If a person is convicted of driving while impaired by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol, that offense carries a maximum penalty of two months in jail and/or a $500 fine.

The maximum penalties differ depending on whether or not the person is driving under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance such as, cocaine, or marijuana, or if the person is driving under the influence of prescription or over the counter drugs. A Maryland DUI drug lawyer is a good resource for more on the repercussions of DUIs related to drugs.

Investigations and Evidence

One of the biggest mistakes is feeling compelled to participate in the investigation. Most people do not know that they have the right to refuse a field sobriety test. Most people are under the impression that they have to perform a field sobriety test, but what they are doing is handing evidence to the state to prove their level of intoxication.

Usually, in order for the state to be able to prove that someone was under the influence of something other than alcohol, they are going to depend on two pieces of evidence. The first piece of evidence is going to be the defendant’s own statement.

Statements can be used against the defendant in court to prove that the person was driving under the influence of drugs. A person may make a statement about the fact that they had just bought this new allergy medicine and it makes them tired and affects their coordination. Anything that the defendant says to a police officer will be used against them at the trial.

Drug Recognition Expert

The other big piece of evidence that the state can use against the defendant is the results of an examination by a drug recognition expert. A drug recognition expert is a police officer who has received additional training that allows them to be able to conduct an examination and attempt to make a determination as to whether or not the person is under the influence of different drugs. Drug recognition experts have been taught to determine if a person is under the influence of depressants or stimulants. Most people do not know that they have the right to refuse to participate in that examination or that they have the right to say that they want to consult with their Maryland DUI drug lawyer.