Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL Defending Against Drug-Related DUI Charges in Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and Throughout South Florida
When the police have arrested and charged you with drugged driving, you deserve skilled legal representation that can help you protect your rights and interests. Contact BD Law for an initial case evaluation to discuss how Attorney Brandon Dinetz can assist you with pursuing a favorable resolution to your DUI charges.
Understanding Drugged Driving Laws in Florida
Florida’s DUI statute makes it illegal for a person to drive or exercise actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance under the state’s Controlled Substances Act or a chemical capable of inducing intoxication or distorting a person’s auditory, visual, or mental processes when such substances adversely affect a person’s normal faculties to the extent they cannot safely operate a motor vehicle.
A person may face a drugged driving arrest even when driving under the influence of a lawful controlled substance obtained over the counter or pursuant to a valid prescription. For example, a driver may commit DUI of drugs when they operate a motor vehicle under the influence of a lawfully obtained drug that causes significant drowsiness. As a result, drivers should understand how drugs or other controlled substances affect them before operating a motor vehicle, including by reviewing the drug’s listed side effects and warnings.
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Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in West Palm Beach
Florida law imposes various penalties for driving under the influence of drugs, with the severity of penalties increasing for each subsequent DUI conviction or when an offense involves aggravating factors, such as having a minor passenger in the vehicle or causing an accident that results in injuries or death.
A first-time conviction may include penalties such as up to six or nine months in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000, and a driver’s license suspension of 180 to 365 days. A second conviction can result in increased penalties of up to nine months in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 10 days for a second conviction within five years of a prior DUI) and fines of $1,000 to $2,000; a second conviction within five years can also lead to a minimum five-year license suspension. A third conviction within 10 years of a prior DUI can result in penalties that include prison time (with a mandatory 30-day sentence), fines of $2,000 to $5,000, and a minimum 10-year driver’s license suspension. A fourth or subsequent conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to five years and a permanent revocation of one’s driver’s license.
Common Defenses in Drugged Driving Cases
After getting arrested for drugged driving, you may have various defenses available to fight your charges. Some of the most common defenses raised to charges of DUI of drugs include:
- Unlawful traffic stop: Defendants may fight a DUI case by arguing that the police unlawfully stopped their vehicle due to the lack of reasonable suspicion of DUI or another traffic violation of criminal offense.
- Unreliable field sobriety testing: A defendant may challenge the arresting officer’s testimony by noting the officer’s lack of training in drug recognition or field sobriety testing.
- Unreliable chemical testing: A defense to drug driving may focus on challenging the admissibility of chemical test results, including by identifying problems with testing equipment or highlighting a break in the chain of custody of a blood or urine sample.
How Can a Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Attorney Help with Your Case?
When you face prosecution for driving under the influence of drugs, Attorney Brandon Dinetz can help you pursue a fair resolution to your charges by:
- Independently investigating the case to obtain all available evidence and identify possible defense strategies that can help you fight your charges
- Explaining your charges and the potential outcomes to you and preparing you for what to expect throughout your case
- Advising you at each stage of the process to help you make informed decisions
- Challenging the prosecution’s case by moving to exclude inadmissible/unreliable evidence or seeking dismissal of the charges due to lack of evidence
- Pursuing every option available to you, including advocating on your behalf at trial, if necessary
Contact a West Palm Beach DUI of Drugs Lawyer from BD Law Today
After getting arrested for drugged driving in South Florida, having experienced legal counsel can give you the best chance of obtaining a favorable resolution to your charges. Contact BD Law today for a confidential consultation with a driving under the influence of drugs attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, to discuss your legal options.