Many prescription and over-the-counter medications contain side effects that could substantially hinder driving ability, including cough syrup containing codeine which may lead to drowsiness and dizziness; antihistamines found in allergy and cold remedies may also cause sleepiness.
Under any law, operating a vehicle while impaired by any drug – including prescription medication. An experienced DUI defense attorney can build an effective case to show how your medications did not impair your ability to drive safely.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressant drugs commonly detected in biological samples from DUI offenders, often associated with significant psychomotor impairment and often leading to extreme fatigue and lack of coordination.
Taken in conjunction with alcohol, benzodiazepines can cause dangerous side effects that increase the risk of stumbling, falling and related injuries. They may also interact with opioid pain medications and alcohol to increase their effects further.
Long-term users of benzodiazepine medication may develop tolerance over time; however, this does not negate its impact on driving. Therefore, it is crucial that your Roswell DUI lawyer obtains all technological recordings as well as any reports filed by police regarding your arrest.
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are medications designed to induce relaxation or cause you to fall asleep quickly. They belong to the sedative-hypnotic class of drugs and may also help reduce seizures or prevent convulsions. Once used as surgical anesthesia, barbiturates have become less frequently prescribed today due to more effective alternatives being available.
Studies of barbiturates and driving have indicated an increase in crash risk by approximately seven and a half times; however, it’s difficult to ascertain their accuracy since most studies feature healthy participants instead of those diagnosed with anxiety disorders who take medication; furthermore, many short-term and limited sample size research projects exist on this subject.
If your Roswell DUI lawyer cannot reach a deal with the prosecutor, you may be scheduled for trial either before a judge or jury. Your defense team must have access to recordings from your arrest as well as police incident reports during this phase; discovery can provide that data.
Tricyclics
Roswell police vehicles are equipped with in-dash cameras and all traffic stops and DUI arrests will be recorded for analysis by defense attorneys. This footage can help them assess if your field sobriety tests were administered correctly – our Roswell DUI lawyers have experience administering them correctly as well as being familiar with any specific requirements that pertain to them.
DUI drug cases are often more complex due to no set legal limits for drugs like there are for alcohol. Our firm understands these complexities and challenges associated with DUI law in this field and can use our skillsets to craft an aggressive defense for you.
Dependent upon your circumstances, Roswell’s DUI Pretrial Diversion program could help. This program allows participants to avoid criminal conviction by accepting responsibility for the offense committed and successfully completing all required tasks. An experienced lawyer can assist with evaluating a plea offer from prosecutors and helping decide whether it should be accepted or pursued through trial proceedings.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are a commonly prescribed treatment for high blood pressure, acting to block hormones that increase pressure and heart rate while simultaneously relieving symptoms like trembling and sweating associated with anxiety disorders by blocking stress hormone release.
If you have been arrested for DUI drugs, it’s essential that you retain an experienced Roswell DUI lawyer as soon as possible. Jim Yeargan and his team can review footage related to your traffic stop or sobriety tests and determine whether there was justification for arresting you while helping to fight for your rights.
Your Roswell DUI lawyer can advise you whether or not to accept a plea bargain offer, thanks to his background as a former prosecutor and understanding of how negotiations work – working tirelessly toward getting you the best outcome in your case.
Anxiolytics
These drugs (benzodiazepines, barbiturates and non-barbiturate anxiolytics) act by increasing GABA receptors on postsynaptic neurons to create an hyperpolarized state and limit cell excitability and excitement.
These drugs also slow brain activity and appear to block new memories while leaving old ones intact, providing great relaxation benefits; however, long term use may pose dangers.
Many medications with anxiolytic effects are used primarily to treat other conditions; however, doctors may prescribe them off-label for anxiety treatment as long as there is minimal risk of harmful side effects. Unfortunately, however, such medication has also been linked with increased crash risks; hence if your attorney cannot reach an agreement with the prosecutor then either a bench trial or jury trial may take place.
