Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Alcohol-related DUI incidents have historically been a primary cause of substance abuse fatalities in Morgantown. However, recent trends show a troubling rise in traffic deaths linked to drug impairment. Police are intensifying their efforts to address this issue, frequently arresting drivers under the influence of drugs. Given the severe penalties associated with drug-related driving offenses, securing a knowledgeable legal defense is essential.

What You Need to Know

Under state law, you can be charged with DUI if controlled substances or metabolites are detected in your blood, or if a combination of drugs and alcohol impairs your driving. It is important to realize that the laws for drugged driving are very similar to those for drunk driving.

Law enforcement officers are trained to identify signs of impairment that threaten road safety, such as weaving, driving too slowly, or following other vehicles too closely. If you are pulled over, police will look for physical indicators of impairment, like glassy eyes or slurred speech. A Morgantown criminal lawyer can help explain these nuances.

In addition to standard field sobriety tests and chemical tests (blood or urine), police may utilize Drug Recognition Evaluators. These specialists follow a structured, multi-step protocol to determine drug impairment. They check for signs of drug use, such as injection marks, and evaluate physiological factors like pupil dilation, blood pressure, and pulse rate. Furthermore, the assessment includes specific field sobriety tests tailored for drug-related DUI cases.

Consulting a skilled Morgantown DUI attorney can clarify how DUI charges apply to prescription medications. You can face DUI charges even if your impairment results from legally prescribed drugs. Drug-related convictions are categorized at the highest level of Pennsylvania’s three-tier penalty system, carrying strict consequences:

• First Offense: Up to six months in jail, fines between $1,000 and $5,000, a one-year license suspension, and mandatory attendance at alcohol highway safety school. The court may also order a treatment program.
• Second Offense: A prison sentence of 90 days to five years, fines from $1,500 to $10,000, an 18-month license suspension, mandatory alcohol highway safety school, a treatment program, and the requirement of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for one year.
• Third Offense: Serious penalties including one to five years in prison, fines of $2,500 to $10,000, an 18-month license suspension, a mandatory treatment program, and IID installation for one year.

A DUI conviction leaves a permanent mark on your criminal record, which can hinder your career and raise your car insurance rates. If an accident involving injury or death occurs, the legal situation becomes much more complicated, potentially leading to civil lawsuits for damages.

What to Do When Police Pull You Over

• Do not try to leave the scene of the arrest.
• Do not admit to using drugs or alcohol.
• Refrain from answering questions or making statements without a Morgantown criminal lawyer present.

Your Probable Defense

In cases involving driving under the influence of drugs, your legal counsel will aim to prove:

• You were not operating the vehicle.
• The traffic stop was unlawful, or the DUI checkpoint did not meet required standards.
• You were not impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Testing procedures were flawed, or equipment was not properly calibrated.

How Your Lawyer Will Help You

Handling a charge for driving under the influence of drugs requires the specific skills of a dedicated Morgantown DUI attorney. Your lawyer will guide you through every step of the legal process, providing the best possible defense strategy.

To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney from Mountaineer Law Group in Berks County, contact us online or call (304) 381-3656.