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Friday, November 5, 2010

Charged With DUI? It Could Be Your Prescription Medication

Most people don't realize that it is quite possible to be charged with DUI for being under the influence of prescription drugs. While many medications advise not to drive after taking them, it can be difficult to avoid driving while medicated if these types of prescriptions are taken on a regular basis. Even a trace amount of the medication remaining in your system may be enough for you to be charged with DUI, which stands for Driving Under the Influence.

Even though you may have had nothing to drink and can pass a breathalyzer test with no problem, ultimately, DUI charges are rendered at the officer's discretion. Thus, if you pass the breathalyzer but fail the field sobriety test, the officer may still place you in custody and draw blood if he believes your driving has been affected by something other than alcohol.

It is also possible for your medications to interact, causing a reaction you may not have expected. It is important to read the label on all your medications carefully. The last thing you want is to realize that you're feeling disoriented and that you may be having an adverse reaction to mixed medications just as the officer's lights fill your rearview mirror.

Regardless of how your DUI charges occurred, the penalties you will face are the same. Being charged with DUI can mean you will face imprisonment, fines and court costs, be forced to attend counseling and treatment for substance abuse, lose your driver's license, have an ignition interlock device placed on your vehicle, and be placed on probation after your release from jail. All of these consequences can have serious impacts on your life. The high costs of a DUI, the time it takes away from work and family, and the damage to your reputation make such charges very serious.

In order to successfully defend yourself once charged with DUI, you need to obtain experienced legal counsel. An attorney experienced in DUI law will be able to explain the potential outcomes to you and consult with you about your particular situation to arrive at the most effective strategy for your defense. An attorney may be able to get the charges dismissed for lack of probable cause, obtain a plea bargain for a reduced sentence which will keep you our of jail, or work with the prosecutor to explain any extenuating circumstances involved. DUI lawyers in Phoenix can help you understand the harsh penalties in Arizona. It is imperative you hire a DUI lawyer in Arizona to defend your rights.

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