Prince George’s County Drug DUI Charges
DUI drug charges are one of the most frequent types of charges in Prince George’s County. While Prince George’s County drug DUI charges might be common, they are still considered serious offenses. That is why if you have been charged with a DUI drug offense, you should consult a skilled DUI lawyer. A capable defense attorney could devote the time and resources necessary to achieve a positive outcome for you.
When Someone Might Be Charged With a Drug DUI
In Prince George’s County, circumstances in which an individual may be charged with driving under the influence of drugs are the same as any DUI stop. A DUI stands for driving under the influence. Alcohol is one subset of that. There is also DUI or driving under the influence of any other drug. It does not have to be an illegal drug. It could be a prescription medication that someone is lawfully allowed to take, but if they take it, drive, and are impaired, they are driving under the influence. If an officer sees erratic driving or other factors, they would suspect alcohol. If after a breath test, there is no alcohol present but they still suspect that the person may be impaired, they look towards any other substance that might be affecting a person’s normal coordination and communication ability.
Substances That Could Lead to a Drug DUI
Substances that could lead to a drug DUI include:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Methamphetamines
- Prescription medications, and
- Anything that could impair somebody, even if lawfully prescribed
What Happens if Someone is Impaired Due to Over the Counter Medication?
If someone is under the influence of over-the-counter(OTC) medication like allergy medication, they are under the influence. Influence is a relative term. Somebody who is sick would probably lack certain coordination, but being sick or having the flu while driving does not mean that someone is driving under the influence. When it comes to OTC medicine, if it affects someone’s coordination, they are under the influence and could still face Prince George’s County drug DUI charges.
How are Marijuana-Related Drug Cases Different?
Marijuana-related drug cases are different in Prince George’s County. With the decriminalization of certain amounts and the close proximity to D.C. where it is legalized, not just decriminalized, marijuana is not perceived the same way that it used to be. However, there are no Prince George’s County- specific regulations or attitudes that have influenced the way marijuana-related cases are handled. There are still concerns and limitations. A person over 21 could be in possession of fewer than ten grams and it is a $50 citation.
If they are under 21, it does not work that way for them. If it is more than ten grams, it is a jail-able offense. Someone may have 9.9 grams and be fined $50, have one-tenth of a gram more and face months in jail. It is that close of a threshold. Most prosecutors and judges are not treating those that are a little bit more than ten grams as a serious offense, but if someone is driving while consuming, around underage individuals, or selling, it is considered extremely serious. Individuals facing Prince George’s County drug DUI charges should consult a skilled drug attorney that could help craft a solid defense for them.