Plymouth Prescription Drug DUI Lawyer

Alcohol is not the only substance that can lead to an arrest for driving under the influence. Many types of prescription drugs have intoxicating effects that could leave someone incapable of operating a motor vehicle in the eyes of the law.

If you were arrested for operating while intoxicated based on your usage of prescription drugs, you will need assistance from a drug DUI attorney with experience in all the different forms this type of offense can take. Talk to a Plymouth prescription drug DUI lawyer to discuss your legal options and how best to approach your case.

Prescription drug DUI charges may be classified as aggravated if the charged person does not have a prescription for those drugs. In that case, they could be charged with either illegal possession or use of a controlled substance, potentially adding an additional charge depending on the type of substance.

A felony charge could arise from the possession of oxycodone or other drugs that people frequently abuse. Likewise, if the drug in question is a controlled substance such as ecstasy or cocaine, there could be substantial penalties associated with possession alone. A Plymouth prescription drug DUI attorney could go into further detail about what kind of charges may be associated with a particular substance.

In addition, certain drugs may be inhibiting enough on their own that the mere presence of that drug in a driver’s system can be considered proof of impairment. Most of those drugs would not be considered prescription medications, but depending on what type of drug it is, it could significantly lower the burden of proof for the prosecutor.

Prescription drug DUI lawyers in Plymouth must collect a slew of information to prepare an effective defense. They need to understand what kind of drugs were potentially in the defendant’s system and whether those substances were prescribed. Depending on the situation, they may have to retain an expert such as a pharmacologist to help explain and describe the effects of those drugs, especially if there was a combination of drugs present in the defendant’s body.

They should also consider the individual’s height and weight, as well as their general ability to handle the medication in question. What would be a very high dosage to one person might be normal for somebody who had been taking that drug for a long time, so different people may not feel the same effects.

Finally, an attorney would want to get information regarding blood tests. Whenever law enforcement officers perform a blood test, the sample goes up to Michigan State’s crime lab, which is where the actual testing process occurs. There are a lot of individual moving parts to that the testing, and lawyers want to make sure they understand if the tests were done appropriately and the results were interpreted correctly.

Prescription drugs are usually quite helpful when used appropriately, but inappropriate use—or inappropriate actions during use—can have serious consequences. If those consequences result in criminal charges, you may need help from a Plymouth prescription drug DUI lawyer to protect your rights and best interests. Call today to speak with an attorney about your case.