DUI With Drugs Lawyers in Savannah

Driving under the influence of drugs is prohibited in the state of Georgia. With the recent rise in prescription drug use, concern has heightened, and enforcement efforts have doubled in prosecuting drugged driving. There are very few exceptions to the rule. If you are pulled over for a suspected DUI and a blood test is taken, any level of illegal drugs in your system will give rise to the presumption that you were illegally impaired while driving.

At Schneider Lerch Bronston, LLC our Savannah DUI drug defense lawyers have handled hundreds of DUI cases and in many, there have been accusations of driving while under the influence of drugs. You can count on us to represent you effectively. 

Contact us at (912) 417-5008 or reach out here online to speak about your options if you have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs.

Georgia's DUI With Drugs Laws

The state of Georgia has an extremely low tolerance for illegal drug use and driving while under the influence of drugs is illegal.

You could be charged with DUI drugs if you drove after using:

Under the provisions of Georgia statute § 40-6-391 it is prohibited for anyone to be driving while under the influence of any drug to the extent that it makes it less safe for that person to drive. This is a very subjective standard that is determined by the arresting officer. You can be certain that if the officer suspects drug use, they will issue a citation for the violation of section 40-6-391. Similarly, under section 40-6-91-(6), if a person has any amount of a controlled substance in their blood or urine, that person is guilty of various increasing degrees of misdemeanors for their first 3 convictions. Upon a fourth conviction, the person will be guilty of a felony.

The types of observations that officers usually attempt to designate whether a defendant is “high” or not include:

• A person’s driving.
• The mannerisms and conduct of the person.
• The person’s ability to pass normal sobriety tests like walking in a line.
• The person’s ability to carry on a conversation.

As you can see, the supposed proof that a person is under the influence of drugs is entirely up to the testimony of the police officer. In many cases, that officer’s witness could be subjective and mistaken, either purposefully or accidentally. Do not waste any time reaching out to our Savannah drug DUI defense attorneys. 

Call Schneider Lerch Bronston, LLC at (912) 417-5008 or contact us online today.

What Are the Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in Georgia?

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs for the first time essentially follow the same pattern as that of the penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Potential penalties include:

• Fines of up to $1,000.
• Possible maximum of 12 months in jail.
• At least 40 hours of community service.
• DUI or drug school program completion.
• Substance abuse treatment program.
• Up to 12 months of probation.

Fighting Drug DUI Charges in Savannah

As in all other DUI cases, evidence supporting the state's prosecution can be challenged on the following grounds:

• Improper search and seizure.
• Improper traffic stop.
• Lack of probable cause.
• Problems in the chain of custody of evidence.
• Improper administration of field sobriety tests.
• Improper administration of chemical tests.
• Failure to read Miranda rights.