Did you know that there are different types of DUI that you can be charged with in Derby and throughout the state of Connecticut? The general term of “DUI” can refer to many different things, including alcohol DUI and drug DUI. These types of DUI differ slightly in their processes, though you would face the same consequences for both.
With the legalization of marijuana, drug DUI is on the rise. You might find yourself pulled over under the suspicion of consuming drugs, whether they are legal or illegal. On this page, you can learn more about what to do if you find yourself in this position.
Because alcohol has been legal for such a long period of time, detecting alcohol-related DUIs is a much more standardized process at this point in time. For better or worse, there are things like standardized field sobriety tests and breathalyzers that can detect alcohol and help a police officer decide if they should make an alcohol-related DUI arrest. Of course, these systems are not perfect, but there is a clear frame of reference for how to make an alcohol-related DUI stop and arrest.
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This is not necessarily the case when it comes to drug-related DUIs. The standardized field sobriety tests are irrelevant when determining if someone is driving under the influence of drugs. The same goes for breathalyzer tests. There are emerging systems in place, such as DRE detection, but it is important to note that they are in their infancy.
Another factor to consider is the fact that “drugs” are a broad category. Different drugs will impact the human body very differently. This makes establishing a standardized detection system difficult. It is also important to note that drugs can linger in the body for a long period of time, but this does not necessarily mean that a person was impaired while they were driving. For example, marijuana may be detected in a person’s system for several weeks after it was consumed. The test results may allow an officer to make a DUI arrest, even if the driver was completely sober at the time of the arrest.
As I mentioned above, the current system in Connecticut when someone is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs is to call in a DRE detection officer to give an evaluation. Not every police officer is authorized to give this evaluation – only those with special training can do so. However, it is important to keep in mind that rigorous training is not required to become a DRE officer.
The DRE evaluation is a 12-step test conducted after a potential drug DUI stop. However, much like with the standardized field sobriety tests, there is room for error with DRE detection. A good drug DUI lawyer can review the results of this test and contest any elements that seem incorrect.
These are all important issues to consider if you are pulled over and the police suspect you of driving under the influence of drugs in Derby. The police may seem very confident in questioning you and making an arrest, but in reality, there is a lot of ambiguity involved in this process. Don’t let their confidence fool you into incriminating yourself. Instead, get a Derby drug DUI lawyer on your side as soon as possible and fight for your freedom.
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