Marijuana DUI

Marijuana was recently made legal throughout the state of Connecticut, which has led to the rise of recreational use of this drug throughout the state. However, it is important to remember that just because marijuana is now legal to consume in Connecticut does not mean that it is legal to drive under the influence of this drug. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal in Norwich and throughout the state.

There are some significant ways in which marijuana DUIs in Norwich differ from alcohol DUIs. Learn about them on this page.

Whether charged with a drug DUI for driving under the influence of something like marijuana or charged with an alcohol DUI, the penalties that you face will likely be the same. Potential penalties can include fines, jail time, community service, parole, drug abuse treatment, driver’s license suspension, etc. In addition, the reasons that a police officer might pull you over, leading to arrest, will likely be the same. The police need to establish reasonable suspicion to pull you over and then need to suspect drug or alcohol use in order to further investigate and charge you with DUI.

However, the process of arrest and proving DUI will differ significantly depending on the substance involved. First, consider that the police may notice different signs of intoxication depending on the substance involved. The police also need to use different methods of detection based on the substance involved. As you likely know, the police usually employ Standardized Field Sobriety Tests when they suspect someone of driving under the influence of alcohol. However, these tests are not accurate for marijuana detection. If you were arrested for marijuana DUI in Norwich based on field sobriety test results, a DUI lawyer may be able to contest the use of the tests. Alternatively, the police should contact a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) to determine if a person is driving under the influence of marijuana.

In addition to differences in arrest, there is usually a difference when it comes to defenses. Some common alcohol DUI defense may not apply for marijuana DUI incidents. Instead, you should make sure that your Norwich lawyer is familiar with marijuana-specific defenses that apply to your situation. A good Norwich marijuana DUI lawyer might contest the reasons that the police stopped you, the methods that the police used to determine that you were under the influence of marijuana, drug test results, and more. They also may be able to provide alternative explanations for symptoms that seemed like being high to the police officer.

The Help You Need

Even a first-time DUI conviction can have serious consequences for a Norwich driver. Whether you are charged with a marijuana or alcohol DUI, you need a professional defense to put yourself in the best position to avoid serious penalties. A Norwich marijuana DUI lawyer can make sure that you are not taken advantage of throughout this difficult process. They will be there to answer your questions and help you get the best outcome given your situation and your ultimate goals. Let the team at Lady DUI be there for you during this tough experience. We have handled marijuana DUI cases throughout the state of Connecticut and know how to help you. Simply contact us for more information.