Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

While DUIs related to alcohol have long been a major cause of substance-related deaths in Steubenville, there’s a growing and alarming trend of traffic fatalities linked to drug impairment. In response, local police are intensifying their efforts to catch and prosecute drivers under the influence of drugs. The consequences for these offenses are harsh, which is why it’s essential to secure the help of a skilled Steubenville drugged driving lawyer who can build a strong defense on your behalf.

What You Need to Know

In Ohio, you can be charged with a DUI if any amount of a controlled substance or its metabolites is detected in your system, or if a mix of drugs and alcohol impairs your ability to drive safely. It’s important to understand that the state’s laws for drugged driving are very similar to those for drunk driving. Law enforcement officers are trained to spot signs of impairment that endanger others on the road, such as swerving, driving unusually slow, or not keeping a safe distance from other vehicles. If you are pulled over, an officer will look for physical indicators like glassy eyes and slurred speech. A good Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you understand the charges against you.

In addition to standard field sobriety tests and blood or urine tests, the police might bring in Drug Recognition Evaluators (DREs). These are specially trained experts who follow a detailed, multi-step process to determine if a driver is impaired by drugs. They check for physical signs of drug use, like injection marks, and measure vital signs such as pupil dilation, blood pressure, and pulse. This evaluation also includes a specific set of field sobriety tests created just for drug-related DUI investigations. Consulting a Steubenville DUI attorney can provide crucial insights.

It’s also important to know about DUI charges related to prescription medication. Even if you are impaired by a legally prescribed drug, you can still face a DUI charge. Furthermore, drug-related convictions are placed in the highest tier of Ohio’s three-tier penalty system, resulting in severe penalties.

Penalties for Drugged Driving

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

Remember, a DUI conviction leaves you with a permanent criminal record, which can affect your career and lead to higher car insurance costs. If the incident involves an accident that causes injury or death, the situation becomes even more serious, potentially leading to separate civil lawsuits for damages. An experienced Steubenville criminal lawyer is vital in these complex cases.

What to Do When Police Pull You Over

• Do not try to leave or walk away from the scene.
• Do not admit to using alcohol or taking any drugs.
• Avoid answering questions or making any statements until you have a lawyer present.

Your Potential Defenses

When facing charges for driving under the influence of drugs, your Steubenville DUI attorney will explore several defense strategies, such as proving:

• You were not the person driving the vehicle.
• The traffic stop was unlawful, or the DUI checkpoint did not follow legal requirements.
• You were not actually impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• The tests were administered incorrectly, or the testing equipment was not properly calibrated.

How Your Lawyer Will Help You

Facing a charge for driving under the influence of drugs is a serious matter that demands the knowledge of a skilled drugged driving attorney in Steubenville. Your lawyer will be your guide through every step of the legal process, providing the best possible legal advice and representation. A Steubenville criminal lawyer will work tirelessly to protect your rights.

To arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Steubenville DUI lawyer from Logue Law Group, contact us online or call (844) PITT-DUI.