Marijuana DUI

Branford marijuana DUI laws are changing drastically, but this only applies to the possession and use of marijuana, not as it relates to the consumption of marijuana before operating a motor vehicle in Branford or other Connecticut towns. This is because Connecticut law does not distinguish between legal and illegal substances for purposes of impaired driving.

Branford marijuana DUI may result in jail time, fines, a suspended license, and more. Marijuana detection as it relates to DUI is not as cut and dry as the alcohol-related counterpart due to an inability to administer a breath test, but this is evolving and quickly changing. If you have been charged with a marijuana DUI in Branford, read on for some useful information on how to protect yourself.

Branford Marijuana DUI Stop

A run-in with the law when you are driving a motor vehicle typically begins with the officer pulling you over for a driving infraction, such as speeding. Once they pull you over and talk to you and observe your behavior, the police might suspect that you are driving under the influence. They will ask you to step out of the vehicle and perform standardized field sobriety tests. After the field sobriety tests, a blood alcohol content (BAC) test is usually requested.

If the results of this test are negative for alcohol, the police will often suspect that there must be a drug impairing the driver. At this point, the officer will request the assistance of a drug recognition expert. A drug recognition expert (DRE) is a police officer that has received special training, called Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement, and this training allows their evaluations to be submitted as evidence against the defendant.

DRE Evaluations

Though the system is evolving and being refined, it is, generally speaking, a 12 step process at this time. This process is a thorough physical examination.

The 12 steps include interviewing the arresting officer as well as the suspect, conducting a preliminary investigation, doing a pulse check, an eye examination, a divided attention psychophysical examination, re-checking the pulse, conducting a second pupil examination, a muscle tone examination, an injection mark search, a third pulse check, requesting a toxicology examination of the blood or urine, and finally making a determination of impairment. As with field sobriety tests, the DRE evaluation is not always accurate. A marijuana DUI defense lawyer can help you determine if the DRE evaluation was accurate and defend you against the findings.

While testing for Branford marijuana DUI is new, it is being refined, and more and more people will begin to be arrested for marijuana DUI. Because of the harsh penalties associated with a DUI and the need to challenge the process, it is important that one have a marijuana DUI defense lawyer representing them. Contact Lady DUI today to speak with an attorney today.