Is Driving while High a DUI?

There are clear laws about driving while drunk. Everyone knows that you aren’t allowed to do it, and everyone knows that the legal definition for alcohol impairment is a blood-alcohol content level of 0.08 percent. However, there are more ways to be “under the influence” than to drink alcohol. You can certainly be under the influence if you have taken drugs, including marijuana, prescription medications, and narcotics.

You can be charged with a DUI if you have taken drugs, even if you have not been drinking. You need to call one of the best Avondale DUI defense attorneys you can find to help you avoid conviction and to reduce your sentence, if possible.

Proving Impairment

A breathalyzer test makes it easy to prove when someone is driving under the influence of alcohol. To show that you are driving under the influence of drugs, officers will have to do a blood or urine test. These tests are not always conclusive as to whether you were driving under the influence when you stopped since they can detect the use of drugs within months of the test. You may have taken drugs three months ago, and that can show up in a blood test.

In most cases, officers will rely on other means to show that you are driving under the influence. A field sobriety test can be given to measure your coordination and response times. The officer might also point to behavioral symptoms, such as slurred speech or poor balance, or they might note signs of reckless driving, like crossing into oncoming traffic or weaving in and out of lanes.

Penalties for Driving under the Influence of Drugs

You may take some drugs legally, such as marijuana for medicinal purposes or narcotic pain medication. You still cannot drive while under the influences of these legal substances.

If you are convicted of DUI the first time, your penalties may include jail time of 10 to 180 days, a fine of up to $1,800, loss of driving privileges for 90 days, community service, probation for up to five years, and the use of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for up to a year. You may also be order to attend a drug treatment program or to go to a victim impact panel.

The penalties get more severe if you are convicted additional times. You can expect to spend more time in jail, to pay higher fines, to lose your driving privileges for longer periods, and more. If you are convicted of driving under the influence when a child is in the car, the penalties will be more severe. If you are responsible for an accident that causes injuries or death while you are found to be driving under the influence, the penalties will be more severe. With these mitigating circumstances, you may also be charged with a felony, which can cause serious problems for you for years, including making it harder for you to get a job.

The best thing you can do if you have been charged with a DUI is to research the DUI lawyers in your area and hire the best one you can afford. A good DUI attorney in Mesa will know what legal options are available to help you avoid conviction or to get a reduced sentence, and a good attorney will fight tirelessly on your behalf to protect your future. Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone deserves a second chance and the opportunity to make amends. A Tucson DUI attorney will fight to get you that chance.

The experienced DUI attorneys at My AZ Lawyers are ready to fight for you if you have been charged with a DUI in Mesa, Glendale, Tucson, Phoenix, or the surrounding area. Our DUI defense lawyers in Avondale are dedicated to helping our clients get the best outcome for their case, whether that means getting the charges dismissed or getting the sentenced reduced. Our Glendale DUI defense attorneys have a top reputation in the community thanks to their community and their results. Call our DUI office today to speak with one of our DUI defense lawyers about your case and your legal options. We’re ready to fight for your rights and to protect your legal record.

Arizona Offices:

Mesa Location:
1731 West Baseline Rd., Suite #100
Mesa, AZ 85202
Office: (480) 448-9800
Email: info@myazlawyers.com
Website: https://myazlawyers.com/

Glendale Location:
20325 N 51st Avenue Suite #134, Building 5
Glendale, AZ 85308
Office: (602) 509-0955

Tucson Location:
2 East Congress St., Suite #900-6A
Tucson, AZ 85701
Office: (520) 441-1450

Avondale Location:
12725 W. Indian School Rd., Ste E, #101
Avondale, AZ 85392
Office: (623) 469-6603