Can I get a DUI for Prescription Drugs?
By Jonathan Blecher on June 21, 2017
While many simply associate a DUI with driving drunk, a person can also be arrested for DUI if they are under the influence of prescription drugs. Regardless of whether or not the driver legally had access to their prescribed medication, Florida DUI laws cover any sort of impairment that stems from an unnatural substance, providing no special treatment for prescription drug users and subjecting them to the same penalties of any other DUI charge.
Drugged driving cases can be quite complex and much more difficult to prosecute due to the complications involved in proving a person’s intoxication. Unlike alcohol where a breathalyzer test can be administered, there are no set standards for measuring a person’s level of prescription drugs in their system. This is set to change, however, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has convened an expert panel in an effort to figure out a way to assess a person’s level of impairment.
What Types of Prescription Drugs Can Cause a DUI Charge?
A variety of prescription drug types can lead to a DUI charge. Simply put, any drug that causes drowsiness, impaired motor skills, or has a label that says “do not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery” can cause you to be pulled over and accused of DUI.
Among others, the following drugs can all lead to a DUI charge:
- Vicodin
- Percocet
- Xanax
- Valium
- Over-the-counter medication
If you have been arrested for a prescription drug DUI, I, Attorney Jonathan Blecher, can provide you with a powerful defense. Having been providing exceptional DUI defenses in Miami since 1982, I have gained invaluable knowledge that can be instrumental in securing a not guilty verdict onyour behalf.
Call my office today at 305-321-3237 to get started towards a results-driven defense.