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Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs And Its Consequences

Most people understand that driving under the influence of drugs is just as illegal as drunk driving, but they may not stop to think about what that might mean. What if you just smoked a little pot hours ago? What if you have a prescription for your pain medication? In California, anytime your physical and mental abilities are so impaired that you can no longer drive with the caution and prudence of a sober driver, you may be charged with driving under the influence of drugs or driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol.

You could find yourself facing multiple separate driving under the influence (DUI) charges, depending on what you have in your system at the time of your arrest. You should always have a skilled DUI lawyer by your side during this process. The team at The Law Offices of G. Cole Casey is prepared to help you. Attorney G. Cole Casey has a regional reputation for being a leader in DUI defense and knows how to fight for your legal rights, no matter the situation.

The Difference With A Drug DUI

For the most part, a drug DUI is similar to a drunk driving DUI. When an officer pulls you over on suspicion of DUI, they will likely ask you to submit to a breath test. If you pass that test, they will ask you to submit to a blood test for drugs. Unlike alcohol, however, the state does not have a standard method for measuring drugs in your system. Rather, it must show that whatever drugs you did have in your system impaired your driving. In addition to the DUI penalties, you could also face drug charges if you have possession of illegal drugs.

Problems With Prescription Medication

Too often, people assume that as long as a drug is legal, they are safe to drive. When it comes to driving, the legality of the drug has little to do with it. Even some over-the-counter drugs are unsafe to take when you are driving, such as certain cold or allergy medications. Many of our clients are people on legal medication for health issues who either did not realize it could affect their driving or combined the medication with alcohol, unaware of the consequences. Because of the lack of standards, these cases can quickly become complex and difficult to navigate. Having the right lawyer is crucial. Our team knows how to handle them and will guide you through the process.

Find Out How We Can Help

To find out what we can do for you, please contact our San Diego office for a free initial consultation. To schedule an appointment, please call (619) 930-5490 or reach out using our online form.