When you hear the term “DUI” the first thought that comes to mind is probably about drinking alcohol and driving. While many DUIs are charged due to a driver’s impairment due to drinking alcohol, impairment can be caused by many other substances and drugs. In Washington, the law prohibits drivers to operate vehicles while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
When the State of Washington says that they don’t tolerate driving under the influence of drugs, they don’t just mean illegal substances.
You can be charged with a DUI if they are allegedly impaired by any drug or medication.
This even includes medications prescribed to you by your doctor or over-the-counter products you picked up at the local drug store. Ambien, marijuana, Zolpidem; you name it; they’ll charge you for being influenced by it while driving your car.
Unlike alcohol-related DUIs, there is no legal limit to drug consumption. Instead, police officers and prosecutors have a no-tolerance policy. Therefore, if you are pulled over and an officer is suspicious that drugs are affecting your driving, the chances of being charged with a DUI are incredibly high.
Being charged with a drug related DUI is a scary experience. Confused, frightened, and unaware of your rights; do you have options? With your family, money, and livelihood at risk, you are likely to feel overwhelmed. At The Law Offices of Barbara A. Bowden, we want you to know that just because you are charged with a drug related DUI doesn’t mean that this is the end of the road for you. Depending on your driving record, drug history, and circumstances of the investigation, you may have more options than you think.
At The Law Offices of Barbara A. Bowden, it is our job to show you these options, and it is our goal to do that well. But we know that defending your drug related DUI is more than just going through the paces of the consultation and trial.
This is a time of worry for you and your family, and you need support.
Let the lawyers at The Law Offices of Barbara A. Bowden be that support. We want to be your advocates 24/7 during this time of angst and uncertainty. Know that our DUI defense team is on your side and we want to go that extra mile to protect your rights. Contact our office today and add the invaluable lawyers at The Law Offices of Barbara A. Bowden to your team.
Let’s find clarity, fight for your rights, and get your livelihood back.
Ambien DUI
At The Law Offices of Barbara A. Bowden, we commonly have people call our office under investigation for an Ambien DUI charge.
Ambien is a drug that many are prescribed when they are unable to sleep. The sedative is commonly used to treat insomniacs and other chronic sleep disorders. This medication is prescribed to help people who sincerely need assistance sleeping, but unfortunately, for some it causes more harm than good. Ambien and other sleeping aids affect your reactions, your movements, and your thoughts, and it can have dangerous side effects. Serious consequences can come from taking the wrong dosage or consuming it after drinking alcohol.
When you take Ambien, it is likely that you will be sleepy and not fully awake in the morning. This will affect your reaction time and your ability to function normally, similarly to when someone is impaired by alcohol. It is important that you wait to drive until you are no longer feeling these effects and are completely alert. Some even advise that you wait four hours.
Quite commonly, when people take Ambien, they do things they do not remember doing. Unfortunately, this activity is commonly driving. Therefore, when you are pulled over under suspicion of impaired driving and are charged with a DUI, it likely you won’t even remember the circumstances. How can you be charged with a crime when you were not in control of your actions?
If you’re charged with driving under the influence of Ambien…
Contact a Washington State DUI defense lawyer immediately. If you were driving while being impaired by Ambien, there are more things you should be focusing on than just your DUI charge. You need to figure out why the medication had this affect on you. You need to consult your doctor and get your health on track. Meanwhile, you are fighting criminal charges. With the right DUI defense attorney on your side, you will be able to focus on your health while not leaving your family and livelihood to chance.
Contact our office today. Let The Law Offices of Barbara A. Bowden make what should be an overwhelming experience a smooth one.
