Many people assume that you can only be charged with a DWI if you are under the influence of alcohol, but this is not the case. Drivers have the responsibility to make sure that they do not have any chemicals or drugs in their systems that could affect their ability to operate a vehicle. If you are taking prescription drugs that could cause side effects of drowsiness or fatigue, it is important that you do not drive after taking them.
If you have been accused of driving under the influence of legal drugs in Texas, it is important that you take action to defend yourself effectively. It’s also essential that you fully understand how evidence is gathered to convict a person of driving under the influence if you are concerned about this issue.
How evidence is collected?
If you are pulled over when driving and you are suspected of being under the influence, law enforcement officers will need to verify this. They will first need to testify that you were in a dazed or drowsy state that affected your driving. Secondly, they will need to show results from a field sobriety test or a blood test.
How can I defend myself?
The first thing that you can do to defend yourself is to limit what you disclose to law enforcement officers. If legal drugs are later found in your system, you can potentially defend yourself by arguing that the officer had no probable cause to arrest you.
What penalties could I expect to face?
If it can be shown that you were driving with prescription drugs in your system that affected your ability to operate the vehicle safety, you will be charged. It is likely that you will face the same consequences as someone driving under the influence of alcohol. This is why it is so important that you take action swiftly to aggressively defend yourself against the charges.
It is important that you take the time to understand where Texas law stands on DWI charges. You should always make sure that you read the list of side effects on a drug before taking it, even if it was prescribed by your medical provider.