When most people think of a DWI or DUI, they think of someone who has been drinking large amounts of alcohol. They wouldn’t suspect that someone taking the proper dose of legally prescribed medications could also be pulled over or even charged with a DUI, but in Florida that is not necessarily the case.

In this brief article, a DWI attorney in Clearwater with our team at Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan shares what you need to know about being charged with a DWI after taking legally prescribed medications.

Can I Be Convicted of Drugged Driving?

Florida law provides that a person can be arrested and charged with a DUI if he or she is under the influence of a prescription drug or an illegal drug. The key is that you had to be impaired at the time of driving. The drug must have impacted your abilities to see, hear, walk, talk, make decisions, judge distances, or otherwise operate the vehicle safely.

A DUI does not require evidence of the use of heavy drugs like cocaine or heroin, it can include medications you’ve been prescribed by your physician like Ambien, oxycodone, and even anti-anxiety medications that impair your ability to make decisions. That means that even if you are taking the prescribed, legal dose of a medication, if it has impacted your ability to drive, you can be arrested.

Of note, unlike alcohol where the legal limit is .08%, there is no legal limit for driving under the influence of drugs. This means that anyone can be at risk of getting a DUI, even if they are under the influence of a prescribed controlled substance.

Penalties for Drugged Driving

Like drunk driving, drugged driving has serious consequences. You may face anywhere from days to years in jail or prison, and will face steep fines ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. You may also have to complete community service and lengthy probation periods, in addition to losing your driver’s license. On top of this, you will have a permanent criminal record. You can read more about the mandatory sentencing requirements here.

Defenses for Driving Drugged

If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence of any substance, be it alcohol, drugs or a legally prescribed medication, you will need a strong defense. A Clearwater DWI defense law firm like Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan may be able to help you get your charges dismissed or reduced to reckless driving. Our team will also discuss your options for DUI and drug diversion programs that may be available to lessen your charges and sentence.

For a free consultation with a DWI attorney in Clearwater, please contact Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation

If you’re facing a DUI, chances are that you are already experiencing some of the psychological and social challenges before you have even been convicted. The stigma of a DUI can stick with you for a long time, but there are other long-term impacts of a DUI conviction that will likely make you reconsider whether you should represent yourself in court or hire an attorney.

In this brief article, our best DUI attorney in Clearwater with Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan shares a few of the long-term impacts you may experience if you are convicted of a DUI.

Financial Impacts

Perhaps the most obvious, but the most long-term effect of a DUI conviction comes in the form of your finances. You may be facing steep fines, possibly thousands of dollars, costs of educational courses, counseling and not to mention the costs to recover your vehicle from being impounded.

Additionally, you may find that after a DUI conviction you can experience:

• Insurance rate increases. These may extend for several years after the conviction, even if you are a first-time offender.
• Loss of work due to prison time or criminal record. Your job prospects may become much slimmer, especially if you have a job that requires travel or a driver’s license. You may also find it harder to pass a background check for a new job as a DUI is a criminal offense, not a traffic offense.
• Loss of scholarship opportunities. If you’re in college or hoping to go back to school, many scholarships and grants require no prior criminal history. If you are a current scholarship recipient, a DUI conviction can also cause you to lose your current scholarships.

Social Impacts

In addition to the financial challenges presented by a DUI conviction, you may also experience social isolation. If your driver’s license is revoked, you may have a harder time attending social gatherings and might find that public transit is simply not reliable, when you want (or need) to get somewhere. You can end up losing hours in a day due to public transportation issues, on top of the social challenges that come from a criminal conviction of any kind.

What to Do if You’ve Been Charged with a DUI/DWI

A DUI isn’t the same thing as being charged with a simple traffic offense. Although you might be able to successfully represent yourself in traffic court, you shouldn’t represent yourself with the criminal charge of a DUI. Clearwater DUI lawyers with Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan are available to talk about your options and help you understand your best defense. You may be able to attend a DUI diversion program or have your charges reduced, or even dismissed with the help of an attorney.

For a free consultation with the best DUI attorneys in Clearwater, please contact Russo, Pelletier & Sullivan today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation