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Have You Been Charged with a DUI?

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DUI Defense
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    4.  » Drug-Related DUI

Drug Impairment Is A Basis For DUI. You Need A Defense.

Under the old law, the prosecution had to prove that drugs impaired your ability to drive a motor vehicle. Under current DUI (DWI) law in Pennsylvania, the mere presence of illegal drugs in your bloodstream is enough for a conviction.

The penalties for a drug-related DUI are the same as for the highest level of drunk driving. You may also face drug charges if police find marijuana or a controlled substance in your possession when they pull you over. It is imperative that you hire qualified legal counsel to fight these charges.

Facing A Drug-Related DUI? Talk to the attorneys at the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, Jr. LLC. We know how to defend adults and college students alike. Contact us at for a free initial consultation.

There Are Severe Penalties For Drug-Related DUIs

A controlled substance is any prescribed drug, nonprescribed drug (marijuana, cocaine, meth, Ecstasy) or unauthorized prescription narcotic (OxyContin, Vicodin). Even if you have not used these drugs on the same day as your arrest, if a trace amount turns up in a blood sample you can be charged with driving under the influence.

Regardless of whether you are actually impaired, drug-related DUI is charged as if you had the highest level of alcohol intoxication (BAC of .16). This means you will face the harshest penalties for conviction:

  • A first-offense or drug-related DUI carries minimum jail time and 12-month license suspension.
  • If you have two or more DUI prior convictions (alcohol or drugs), you face at least a year in state prison and other severe consequences.
  • If an officer finds drugs in your car, purse or pocket during your traffic stop, you may also face a drug arrest for possession.

Contact Us. We Can Fight The Charges As We Have In Over 5,000 DUI Cases.

Criminal defense lawyer Jr. has handled over 5,000 DUI cases in 33 years of practice, including driving under the influence of controlled substances. He explores all avenues to achieve a dismissal of your case, reduced charges or a lighter sentence.

If you end up with a conviction for a drug-related DUI and your license is suspended as a result, he may be able to help you request an occupational limited license (OLL) that can help you recover your driving privileges and maintain employment.

Because the new state law considers you impaired for any amount of drugs in your system, we have to fight your DUI on probable cause. If we can show that the officer had no reasonable suspicion to pull you over, the resulting blood test will never be admitted in court. Likewise, a search that turns up drugs may be thrown as a violation of your constitutional rights.

Protect Your Rights. Call Today.

It’s not too late to protect your rights, your reputation and your future freedoms. Contact our criminal defense law firm today to set up your free initial consultation. Call or send us an email.

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