Richmond DUI Drug Lawyer

Because DUI drug charges in Richmond are rather common, state officials have been cracking down on these cases and highly prioritizing them. Below, a Richmond DUI lawyer explains how DUI drug charges differ from other DUI charges, and if marijuana-related charges differ from other drugs in these charges.

What a Drug DUI Charge Means

DUI drug charges are fairly common in Richmond. The Richmond law enforcement officers make it a high priority to stop and monitor for DUI cases, in particular DUID charges. In addition to that, with the young adults and college students in the area DUID charges are seen fairly frequently. The convictions are also very common in the city of Richmond. The prosecutors take a very vigorous stand on DUID charges and do not look to negotiate on these cases.

In most cases, what happens when an individual is charged with DUID is they are usually stopped for another offense like speeding or running a red light. If the officer then sees signs of impairment whether in your speech, in your behavior or mannerisms, and/or other indicators, they will conduct tests for DUID.

Typically with a DUID versus a normal DUI stop, the officers are looking for signs of impairment in the eyes, signs of impairment in how you follow directions, and in your speech. In addition to that, with a normal DUI, they would give you a breath test. With the DUID, the officers will seek to obtain a blood test against you.

A DUI drug can take place for a prescription or an over-the-counter drug as well as an illegal drug. The main factor is if the drug is impairing your ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Drugs Typically Involved in DUID Charges

A DUI arrest can result not only from alcohol, but also from impairment due to prescription drugs like Vicodin and oxycodone. They can also result from illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and crystal-meth. All of these drugs are searched for by the officers and all of these drugs can be determined via blood test.

Testing During a Police Traffic Stop

There are no field sobriety tests that are specific for DUID cases. What happens is that Richmond police officers will typically use the same types of tests they would use for a normal DUI.

These tests not only test your coordination, they also test your ability to follow directions and your ability to communicate. All of these factors help an officer determine if you are impaired via drugs and/or alcohol.

Importance of an Attorney in DUID Cases

Due to the severity with which these cases are treated by judges and prosecutors and the potential penalties such as jail time, fines, and license suspension, it is imperative you seek the counsel of an experienced Richmond DUID lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case. An attorney can look at the facts against you and help you build a strong defense against the prosecution’s aggressive tactics.