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Many drivers think it is safe to drive while taking legally prescribed medication, however police officers are constantly looking out for drugged drivers, even those driving legally with valid prescriptions and licenses. Even if your medications do not interfere with driving safely or your ability to respond quickly when responding quickly is impaired by using your medication, police could arrest you under Georgia law regarding prescribing drugs and driving and issue severe penalties as a result.
Most people assume drugged driving refers only to illegal substances like cocaine or methamphetamine; however, the law also covers legal prescription medications. An increasing number of individuals have been arrested for DUI-drugs due to how their prescription medications impeded their driving ability. If this applies to you, consult with an Alpharetta DUI lawyer immediately – before it could cost more in terms of jail time!
If a police officer suspects you of being under the influence of prescription drugs while driving, they will request field sobriety tests to evaluate your behavior and check for pupil constriction in your eyes. Depending on what medication was taken as directed by your physician, passing these tests may not be easy depending on its effects; depending on its dosage. During field sobriety tests, an officer will observe your behavior to see whether you can follow commands, move arms and legs accordingly, as well as check eyes to check pupil constriction in pupil constriction checks.
Police will then collect either a urine or blood sample to assess if there are any prescription medications in your system, sending these samples off to a laboratory in order to measure levels of medication or its metabolites in your system. If charged with DUI-drugs, state prosecutors may charge a misdemeanor offense which will then proceed through Roswell Municipal Court.
An arrest for prescription drug DUI carries similar repercussions as drunk driving offenses involving alcohol: jail time, fines and fees, clinical evaluations, drug abuse treatment plans, community service obligations, loss of driver’s license suspension and increased insurance rates. As soon as an individual is accused of such an offense, it is crucial that they contact an experienced Alpharetta DUI attorney immediately in order to build an effective defense case.
An experienced DUI defense lawyer can help you avoid criminal records by negotiating plea agreements with the prosecutor. Through discovery processes and requests for access to records related to your drugged driving offenses, your DUI lawyer will be able to use these resources as leverage against them and try and reduce prison time accordingly. If you’re facing charges, don’t wait – contact Jim Yeargan’s office right away so he can use his knowledge as an ex-DUI prosecutor and arrange a complimentary session!
