DUI Involving Prescription Drugs

Have you been arrested and charged with a DUI even though the breath test showed no alcohol in your system? Did the arresting officer suspect you were under the influence of drugs and asked you to submit to a blood or urine test? If so, we can help.

California law makes it illegal to drive while impaired by either alcohol or drugs or both. The crucial factor within the context of a DUI case is whether the drugs actually impaired the person's ability to drive. A DUI attorney familiar with the medical and legal issues surrounding a DUI case involving drugs is critical to a favorable outcome in your case. Driving while intoxicated by drugs is a much different situation from an evidence standpoint versus a case involving only alcohol. The reason for this is that the law criminalizes driving while your blood alcohol is at a per se level of .08 or above, however, there is no similar "per se" statute in California dealing with driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, prescription or otherwise.

Many folks are confused with the proposition that a police officer can even charge them with DUI if the drug they were taking was being ingested legally with the use of a valid prescription. However when viewed logically it makes sense that a person can be too impaired to drive when using a medication as many do have an impact on a driver's motor skills and ability to react quickly. After all, vodka is legal to purchase and ingest as well but if you drink too much and thereafter drive no one will argue that a DUI may be appropriate.

DUI Attorney Matthew Ruff has defended hundereds of cases over the span of his career that involve the use of both precription and illicit drugs. He understands the science behind drug impairment and uses his knowledge to favorably resolve his client's cases, both in criminal Court and at the DMV. His successful case results include charges involving drugs like Soma, Vicodin (Hyrocodone), Percocet, Xanex, all precription pain killers, marijuana (cannabis), anti-anxiety drugs, cocaine, heroin, Ecstacy and Amphetamines/ Methamphetamines just to name a few. His Court victories also include acquittals in cases where accidents occurred, child endangerment, where prior DUI convictions were alleged and many other serious allegations. His background includes training in the same areas that police get when they are designated a Drug Recognition Expert or "DRE" and he understands the weaknesses and scientific principles behind opinions concluding that a person is "under the influence" of any given drug. Matthew has successfully cross examined police officers from virtually all law enforcement agencies including CHP, LASD, Los Angeles Police Department, Redondo Beach Police, Torrance, Kern County Sheriffs, and Bakersfield Police Department, as well as laboratory "experts" in the field. Matthew's Law Firm also has a licensed drug testing laboratory available for re-testing of samples when appropriate.

If you are facing a DUI charge involving drugs, contact DUI attorney Matthew Ruff today for a consultation about your case.