Drug Charges in Connection with a DUI Arrest

During the course of a DUI arrest, it is common to for law enforcement to discover  a controlled substance following a search of the vehicle. Getting arrested for DUI is stressful enough, but the situation can get even more serious if police find drugs in your possession during the arrest. 

In Florida, a DUI charge combined with drug possession can lead to harsher penalties and multiple charges, and if you are facing a drug charge based on a DUI, the time to act is now. The Law Offices of Marc N. Pelletier is dedicated to helping individuals avoid elevated or enhanced DUI charges. 

Drugged Driving Prosecutions

Not all DUI cases involve alcohol. In Florida, you can be charged with DUI if you are under the influence of any substance that impairs your ability to drive safely. This includes illegal drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine, prescription medications despite having a prescription, and even medical marijuana.

Law enforcement relies on field sobriety tests, officer observations, and, in some cases, blood or urine tests to prove impairment. Unlike alcohol-related DUIs, where intoxilyzer results can provide evidence establishing a breath alcohol content “over the legal limit,” drug-related DUI cases are often more complicated. Your Clearwater drug crimes attorney with The Law Offices of Marc N. Pelletier may be able to argue that just because a drug is in your system does not always mean you were impaired at the time you were driving.

Defenses for Drug Charges in Connection with a DUI

If you are facing both a DUI and drug charges, you may feel like the odds are stacked against you. However, there are several defenses that may help:

• Was the DUI stop legal? Police must have a valid reason to pull you over. If they did not, any evidence found during the stop, such as drugs, could be thrown out.
• Were your rights violated? If the police searched your car without permission, a warrant, or probable cause, anything they found may not be admissible in court.
• Were you actually impaired? Just because a drug was in your system does not mean you were too impaired to drive. Your St. Petersburg drug crimes attorney with The Law Offices of Marc N. Pelletier may be able to challenge the accuracy of the tests used to prove impairment.
• Do you have a prescription? If you were arrested for DUI while taking prescribed medication, providing proof of a valid prescription could be instrumental in helping dispute the drug charge.
• Did the drugs belong to you? If drugs were found in a shared vehicle, it may be possible to argue that they were not yours or that you did not know they were there on the basis of consent.

Facing a DUI Charge But Did Not Have Alcohol? Contact Us Today

Facing both a DUI and drug charges can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The right legal defense from a trusted St. Petersburg drug crimes attorney with The Law Offices of Marc N. Pelletier can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

Request a free case consultation or call us today at (727) 493-9386.