Driving improperly can cause damage and
destruction of property, grave injuries and even death. Driving under the influence
of drugs or alcohol is one of the major concerns all across the country where
an intoxicated individual behind the wheel is most likely to jeopardize the
safety of people and property in the vicinity. This is why DUI or driving under the
influence is a criminal offense. However, state laws vary when it comes to
awarding punishments.
Drug
DUIs
Law enforcement officers have the
authority to impose drug DUI charges on any inebriated driver. The officers do
not make any distinction between a legal, illegal, or controlled substance. In
legal terms, the word drug had been defined as a substance that affects the
nervous system, impairs judgment, and therefore an individual’s ability to
drive.
You can be charged with DUI even if you
are under the influence of a drug that would not have impaired your driving
ability. However, impairment will only become an issue if it is combined with
alcohol.
If you think the police will not charge
you since you do not feel intoxicated from the effects of the drug then you are
wrong. The enforcement officers will charge you with DUI if they find traces of
controlled substance in your blood stream and the fact that you do not feel
intoxicated does not count.
Additionally, remember that even legally
prescribed drugs can cause a DUI if you fail a sobriety test especially so
since these drugs come with a specific warning not to take them before driving.
Drug DUI charges are tricky and it takes the expertise and patience of a
criminal defense attorney to explain them to you. You can go over the terms and
the avenues that you can take from your position.
What
is a Felony DUI?
There is a difference normal DUI and a felony
DUI. The latter comes into play when some of the factors convince police officers that
your DUI is more serious than a simple DUI.
- Felony DUI happens if you are driving a vehicle in inebriated state with a child.
- If you have caused damage to property, self, cars, other individuals and death while driving under influence then you will be charged with a felony DUI. You also should click on this website (http://criminal-defense.usattorneys.com/) so you can find that legal help you clearly now need.
- Remember, felony DUI is often imposed on individuals with prior multiple DUI offenses.
- Felony DUI charges are regularly awarded to those who choose to drive a vehicle in an inebriated state when their licenses are suspended. Driving with a suspended license itself is a serious offense. You do not need a legal professional to inform you of this.
Penalties
for a DUI
The penalties are much more severe for a
felony DUI. You can be jailed, fined, and have your license suspended for
several years. If you are lucky you will be given probation and your criminal
defense lawyer will help you acquire that result for sure. For the most part,
prison time depends on the severity of your crime and usually varies between
one to five years. In addition, the fines levied on offenders are significantly
high in felony DUI cases and can go up $10,000.
Probation may allow you to stay out of
jail but you will have to comply with specific rules set by the court. You will
have to report to your probation officer on certain days, take drug tests, not
commit any (more) DUIs, and pay court fines. The last penalty is a temporary or
permanent suspension of the driving license depending on the severity of your
offense.
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