Laws Concerning Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Lawyers Guide

When we hear DUI, we usually think of alcohol intoxication. However, some involve the consumption of drugs. The consequences for driving under the influence of drugs may be comparable or worse than driving under the influence of alcohol. Find out more.

  • ContentDriving Under the Influence of Drugs

    While many people are familiar with the term DUI, meaning driving under the influence, this term is usually associated with alcohol. However, states also have additional laws or utilize the same laws as those pertaining to alcohol-related charges as those pertaining to driving under the influence of drugs. In states that have additional laws, these are sometimes abbreviated as DUID for “driving under the influence of drugs.”

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  • ContentConsequences for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

    Driving under the influence of drugs may be incorporated as an independent statute or may be treated the same as driving under the influence of alcohol, depending on state law. In either event, a conviction for driving under the influence can carry significant consequences.

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  • ContentDriving Drugged and the Law

    When a driver has taken an illegal drug, prescription medication or even an over-the-counter treatment, this may be the equivalent of drunken driving. In some states, these situations are connected and violations are issued with charges filed.

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  • ContentDUI and the Influence of Drugs

    While most cases involving DUI are based on intoxication by alcohol, others involve consumption of drugs. When charged for these violations, the penalties may be just as grave when convicted as with DUI involving alcohol or in some cases even harsher.

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  • ContentMarijuana Legal Limit to Avoid DUI Charges

    The laws that define and charge a driver with under the influence of drugs or alcohol depend specifically on the states, but this may also require a certain amount of the drug in the system checked through a blood test. Stopping a person for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana could lead to the sobriety field test with the officers.

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  • ContentTwo DUIs for One Joint - Is That Possible?

    When a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he or she may face a DUI when driving under this influence, and it is possible that police may stop and charge the person for the same crime with only one consumption of the drug. When the drug is still in the system of the driver, multiple stops and charges may lead to two or more DUI violations in the same week.

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  • ContentDUI Involving Prescription Drugs and Prosecution Challenges

    Drivers who are under the influence of drugs may or may not exhibit symptoms when the drugs are prescription grade. Often drivers are pulled over when signs of intoxication are observable, but that may not always be the case.

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  • ContentAlcohol – What Is Dram Shop Liability (and what is a dram, anyway)?

    Dram shop laws relate to cases in which a person has received alcohol from an establishment and then causes an accident while in an intoxicated state. Dram shop laws allow victims who were hurt by the intoxicated driver to pursue compensation from the establishment or party that provided alcohol to the intoxicated driver.

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  • ContentA DUI Process Guide

    Every day people are stopped for suspicion of drunk driving. Being convicted of DUI often leads to significant consequences even for first time offenders including possible jail time. However, reduced charges or a dismissal of the case may be possible if the defendant has a good case and a knowledgeable DUI lawyer.

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  • ContentBasics About DUI

    There are some standard regulations when driving. One of these throughout the entire United States is that it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of and higher than .08 percent. It is important to become accustomed to the basics about driving under the influence to avoid any possible convictions for these charges.

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  • ContentFederal DUIs – Are They Different than a State DUI?

    The primary difference in committing a driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with state and federal charges is driving with this influence on federal lands versus state lands. This difference will lead to a completely different case facing more serious processes based on the federal procedure for criminal courts and procedures.

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  • ContentMisdemeanor and Aggravated DUI Differences

    DUI charges are treated differently by each state, which establishes its own laws prohibiting this conduct. Differences also exist depending on whether the offense is considered a misdemeanor offense or an aggravated DUI offense. It is critical that defendants understand the differences in these two offenses.

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  • ContentWhat Are My Rights If I Am Arrested for DUI?

    The criminal offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance goes by many different names from state to state. If you are arrested for an alcohol-related traffic offense, you could face charges of DUI (driving under the influence), DWI (driving while intoxicated), OWI (operating while intoxicated), or a similarly named crime.

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  • ContentIs a DUI Fatality Manslaughter or Murder?

    A DUI accident that results in a fatality is a tragedy for all parties involved and their families. However, the particular factual circumstances surrounding the fatality will impact what type of criminal charges are ultimately filed.

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  • ContentDrunk vs. Distracted Driving: Which Is Worse?

    Most people will list drunk driving as their first guess for the most lethal cause of collisions caused by negligence, but digital gadgetry has ushered in a new era of “distracted driving” collisions – especially texting while driving accidents.

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