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Many people understand they can be arrested for DUI if their blood alcohol concentration exceeds legal limits; however, many don’t realize they could also face drugged driving charges for having drugs in their system.
Alpharetta drug DUI lawyers possessing vast expertise can mount an effective defense in such cases, often by challenging the validity and reliability of chemical tests as well as field sobriety tests.
What is a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)?
A DRE is a police officer trained in a scientifically validated method for recognizing impairment caused by drugs other than or in addition to alcohol. They follow a twelve step process including: examination of vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse), observation of body temperature and movement, examination of the suspect’s eyes for horizontal and vertical gaze nystagmus and lack of convergence; the use of a pupilometer to measure pupil size in three different lighting conditions; examination of the neck and arms for signs of recent or historical hypodermic injections; inspection of the suspect’s hands and fingers for evidence of narcotics or hallucinogens; obtaining a bodily fluid sample such as urine or blood for analysis; and the DRE’s opinion based on the evidence obtained.
A determination made by a DRE of drug use is not a guilty verdict. An experienced attorney may be able to challenge the accuracy of their opinions and undermine the reliability of toxicology testing.
What is a Breath Test?
Breath tests, also called breathalyzers, measure how much alcohol is in your blood. They estimate your blood alcohol content (BAC), and can help determine whether you are legally intoxicated and should not drive. After you drink alcohol, your BAC typically increases over time with each drink you take; its peak usually occurs about an hour post-imbibe. If pulled over for driving while intoxicated, an officer may request you take a breath test as evidence against you.
Breath tests can either be electronic or manual. Electronic breathalyzers resemble walkie-talkies and require you to blow into an enclosed mouthpiece to obtain instant readings; manually operated breathalyzers use balloons with bands of yellow crystals that change color with increasing alcohol levels in your system.
There are no set DUI drug limits like alcohol; instead, the state must show that impaired driving was due to drugs or medications found in your system. A Georgia DUI drug conviction may bring severe penalties such as fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, community service requirements and probation.
What is a Blood Test?
Blood tests allow healthcare providers to assess the levels of specific elements within your body. They can provide essential insight into your overall health, such as whether or not you have diabetes or high cholesterol. You may have one as part of a routine exam, or your physician might order it when diagnosing illness.
Phlebotomists, healthcare professionals who specialize in drawing blood for tests, will insert a needle into your arm and extract blood for analysis in a lab tube. You may feel some sting as they withdraw it but typically only experience minor discomfort and possibly some minor bruising as a result of blood draws.
Most drivers understand that driving over the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit can result in them being arrested and charged with DUI. What may not be widely known is that an individual can also be arrested and charged if impaired by drugs as well as alcohol – including certain over-the-counter medications – leading to arrest and charges of DUI/DWI. A skilled Alpharetta DUI and DWI lawyer can assist in protecting individuals against such charges by contesting validity of chemical test, investigating arrest circumstances, and creating an effective defense strategy against prosecution.
What is a Drug Test?
Drug testing is used to detect the presence of specific drugs in biological specimens, most frequently urine. Employers commonly administer drug tests as part of pre-employment screening processes or following accidents or incidents at work.
Drugs generally enter your body through your digestive tract and are then broken down by metabolic processes into compounds known as metabolites that leave in various forms. A drug test measures these metabolites to ascertain if you have taken certain drugs within a specified timeframe.
Georgia law forbids driving while under the influence of any substance to an extent where it impairs your driving ability. To prove DUI or DWI charges against you, the prosecution must prove you were impaired by drugs; an experienced Alpharetta DUI lawyer can review evidence and craft a strategic defense that maximizes chances for a positive outcome in court.
