Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances
Experienced DUI-Drugs Representation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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.
Drug-Related DUI?
Contact the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, Jr. as soon as possible after your arrest. We take cases in Cumberland County, Dauphin County and throughout Pennsylvania, including Penn State and the State College area.
Severe Penalties for DUI-Drugs
A controlled substance is any prescribed drug, non-prescribed 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). These means you will face the harshest penalties for conviction:
- A first offense of 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.
Fight a Drug-Related DUI
Criminal defense lawyer Patrick Lauer has handled over 5,000 DUI cases in 23 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.
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.
Contact the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, Jr. day or night at 866-794-0873. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your rights and the circumstances of your arrest.
