DWI North Carolina Drugs

When people think about driving while intoxicated (DWI), they usually think of alcohol. However, you can also be charged with DWI if your driving abilities are impaired by drugs, whether legal or illegal. And because there is no legal limit for drugs, any amount in your system, if your driving was affected, could result in a DWI.

To pull you over for DWI, the officer must have probable cause to believe you are impaired by alcohol or other substance. He or she may ask you to perform a series of field sobriety tests. If you fail these tests, you may be asked to submit to a chemical test. While a breathalyzer is most commonly used to test for alcohol, urine and blood tests may be administered. If drugs show up in your chemical test, you can be charged with DWI North Carolina Drugs.

Several drugs can impair driving ability. Street drugs, prescription medication, and even over-the-counter medicine can make an individual a “less safe” driver. To show proof of impairment, the arresting office may cite your behavior and appearance. If you seemed disoriented, slurred your speech, or were unable to balance, the officer may state that you were impaired because of drugs.

If you are taking medication and followed the correct dosage and warning labels, your DWI lawyer may argue that your driving was not affected by drugs. Your lawyer may call on a toxicologist to review your chemical test to determine if you were taking the prescribed amount. If so, you may be able to avoid a guilty verdict.

Some drugs show up in these tests long after they can cause impairment. For example, marijuana metabolites can show up days or even weeks after the drug was last used.

The science behind a DWI North Carolina Drugs case is extremely complex, and requires the skill of an experienced defense attorney. Your lawyer will analyze the chemical test evidence against you to decide how to build your defense strategy.

If you have been charged with a DWI Drugs offense in North Carolina, please submit your information online today. A qualified attorney in your area will contact you for a FREE, in-person DWI Drug case evaluation.

Get a Free Case Evaluation Right Now!