A DUI occurs when a driver consumes drugs or alcohol prior to driving a vehicle and is unable to operate a vehicle safely or is over the legal blood alcohol limit of .08. Whether or not an initial arrest is made is completely up to the discretion of the law enforcement officer who pulled the driver over. There are often defenses to the officer’s interpretation of whether the driver is DUI.
Drug offenses occur when someone is charged with the possession, distribution, or sale of any type of illegal drug. Illegal drugs that could be the subject of charges include marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, opioids, prescription medications, cocaine, or heroin.
If convicted of a DUI, you will receive a fine and be issued a jail sentence. In addition, you may have a suspended or revoked license, or experience higher vehicle insurance rates. Further, you may be required to participate in a mandatory rehabilitation program. Less severe penalties may include community service assignments, diversion, or probation. Ultimately, there are several factors that can impact a possible conviction. For example, the individual’s driving record, background, age, and blood alcohol content are taken into consideration. In addition, the rules of the location (state, city) that the offense occurred in varies and has an impact on the outcome.
Drug offenses are often felonies, and the penalties for these charges can be severe. An individual with a drug conviction could face prison or jail time. Additionally, some types of drug offenses require registration as an offender. However, experienced criminal defense lawyers analyze drug cases for mistakes and exaggerations made in these charges.
If you’re facing an arrest or charges, it’s imperative to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Most importantly, you want to obtain a lawyer who is dedicated to fighting for your rights and building a strong case in your defense. Criminal defense lawyers like Jeremy D. Koop are knowledgeable about mistakes and inaccuracies with obtained evidence.
If you or someone you know needs a committed criminal defense lawyer to represent them, please fill out our contact form or give our office a call to tell us how we can help.
The information provided in this article does not constitute legal advice; it is for general informational purposes only.
