Drugged driving is more common than most people realize. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that more than 9.9 million people have admitted to driving while high on drugs. Because drugged driving contributes to so many accidents, Texas courts have no qualms with sentencing offenders harshly.
If you are facing charges for driving while ability impaired on drugs, or DWAI: Drugs, contact the Law Offices of Robert Gregg. Mr. Gregg is a criminal attorney in Dallas who can structure a defense based on the unique facts of your arrest. He is a former president of the Texas Municipal Justice Bar Association and the Dallas Criminal Defense Bar Association. Call (214) 891-7536 to schedule a consultation, and visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about DWI charges in Texas.
Debunking 3 Myths about DWAI: Drugs
Like most criminal offenses, a multitude of myths circulate regarding DWAI: Drugs. Here is the truth behind three of the most common misconceptions:
Myth 1: Nurses test blood automatically after an accident.
Contrary to popular belief, hospitals do not automatically test blood for alcohol and drugs after a car wreck. Although activists are lobbying for this to become a mandatory procedure, budgetary restraints make it both impossible and impractical.
In order to obtain a sample of your blood for evidence, police require a warrant. Without one, the hospital may dispose of your blood samples within 24 hours.
Myth 2: Hospitals test for all drugs when screening blood samples.
Drug testing is a complicated and expensive endeavor. When hospitals test blood samples, they rarely test them for several different drugs.
The majority of these tests only screen for a limited class of narcotics, including LSD, marijuana, cocaine and amphetamine. These tests often produce false-positives, so your DWI lawyer may challenge the results in court.
Myth 3: Drivers are automatically guilty if drugs are present in their systems.
Having drugs in your system does not mean that you were driving high at the time of the arrest. For certain drugs, it is difficult to correlate impairment with dosing levels. Some drugs also stay in the bloodstream much longer than alcohol, as the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains.
In order to convict you of DWAI: Drugs, the prosecuting authority must prove that you were impaired when the officers arrested you. For evidence, he or she may reference medical documents and blood tests. However, this is seldom sufficient evidence to prove a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Some drugs can remain in your system for several days or weeks, so you may have been sober at the time of the arrest.
If you are facing charges for DWAI: Drugs in Texas, contact the Law Offices of Robert Gregg. Mr. Gregg is a criminal attorney in Dallas who can aggressively fight for a positive outcome to your case. He has extensive experience representing clients who face charges involving DWI, drug crimes and other criminal offenses. Call (214) 891-7536 to schedule a consultation.