Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) Lawyer in Galveston

In Texas, a driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) conviction can affect your driver’s license, employment opportunities, and even your freedom. If you have been charged, a Galveston DWI lawyer can defend you.

The Law Offices of Tad Nelson has been representing Texans since 1994. If you are facing charges for driving while intoxicated by drugs, a driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) lawyer in Galveston can defend your rights and help you build a strong defense.

How a Galveston Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) Lawyer Can Help

A DUID case is too high-stakes to handle alone. A Galveston criminal defense lawyer can help by:

• Reviewing the traffic stop: An attorney can determine whether law enforcement had legal grounds to stop your vehicle in the first place.
• Evaluating chemical test results: A lawyer can investigate whether blood or urine testing was conducted properly and whether the results accurately reflect impairment.
• Negotiating with prosecutors: Your attorney can pursue reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or even a dismissal (if possible).
• Representing you in court: If your case goes to trial, your lawyer can present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and advocate for the best possible outcome.

Penalties for a Drug-Related DWI Conviction in Texas

The specific penalties you face for a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge depend on the circumstances of the offense and your prior criminal history.

Potential consequences include:

• Jail time
• Significant fines
• Driver’s license suspension
• Probation
• Mandatory education programs
• Community service
• Increased insurance premiums
• Installation of an ignition interlock device
• Permanent criminal record

Possible Defenses to a DUID Charge

Every DWI case is unique. The best defense for you will depend on the circumstances of your arrest, how law enforcement treated you, and other case-specific factors.

Potential defenses include:

• Illegal traffic stop: If police lacked reasonable suspicion to stop you, important evidence may be excluded from the prosecution’s case.
• Improper testing procedures: Mistakes in collecting or handling blood or urine samples can affect the reliability of test results.
• Inaccurate laboratory analysis: Testing errors or contamination may produce unreliable results.
• Medical conditions: The symptoms of certain health conditions may resemble signs of drug impairment.
• Prescription medication compliance: Evidence that you simply took prescribed medication may serve as a valid defense.
• Lack of actual impairment: The presence of drugs does not necessarily prove that you were driving while impaired.
• Constitutional violations: Any violations of your legal rights during the investigation may affect the admissibility of the prosecution’s evidence.

Can Prescription Drugs Lead to a DUID Charge?

Yes, the use of prescription drugs can lead to a DWI charge in Texas. Having a valid prescription from a doctor does not protect you if the medication impairs your ability to drive safely.

Prescription medications that may lead to impaired driving charges include:

• Opioid pain medications
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Sleeping medications
• Muscle relaxers
• Certain antidepressants
• Some seizure medications

What is Driving Under the Influence of Drugs?

In Texas, there is no separate DUID statute that applies to adult drivers. Instead, most drug-impaired driving cases are prosecuted under the state’s DWI laws. You may be charged if you allegedly lost the normal use of your physical or mental faculties because of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of substances.

Taking medication exactly as prescribed does not exempt you from criminal charges if prosecutors believe the medication impaired your ability to drive safely.

Can You Refuse a Blood Test in Texas?

Yes, you can refuse to submit to a blood or breath test in Texas. However, if you do so after being arrested, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended. In certain circumstances, such as a prior DWI conviction or an accident involving injury or death, law enforcement may still obtain a mandatory blood draw.

According to Texas’s implied consent law (Texas Transportation Code § 724), being lawfully arrested means you have already given consent to provide a breath or blood sample.

That said, you are free to refuse a chemical test before being arrested without incurring any criminal or administrative penalties.

Common Evidence Used in DUID Cases

Drug-related DWI prosecutions generally rely on several different types of evidence rather than a single test.

Common types of evidence prosecutors gather include:

• Police observations
• Dash camera or body camera footage
• Statements made by you
• Field sobriety test performance
• Blood test results
• Urine test results
• Drug Recognition Expert evaluations
• Witness testimony
• Prescription medication records
• Physical evidence recovered from your vehicle

What to Do After a DUID Arrest in Galveston

The decisions you make immediately after a DUID arrest can have a significant effect on the outcome of your case.

It’s important to:

• Remain calm and cooperate with police.
• Exercise your right to remain silent (after providing your driver’s license as required by law).
• Avoid posting about your DWI case online.
• Write down everything you remember while the events are still fresh in your mind.
• Keep copies of the paperwork provided to you after your arrest.
• Comply with court dates and release conditions.
• Speak to a Galveston driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact a Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) Attorney in Galveston

Just because you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated does not mean you will be convicted. A Galveston driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) attorney from The Law Offices of Tad Nelson can investigate your arrest, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and work to minimize the consequences of your charges.

Schedule a free consultation to get help with your defense.