Drugged Driving DUI Defense Lawyers in Arizona
& Certified Criminal Law Specialists
Free Consultation 24/7 & Payment Plans
Drugged Driving DUI Defense Lawyers in Arizona
& Certified Criminal Law Specialists
Free Consultation 24/7 & Payment Plans
Get Help from Former DUI Judge & Drugged Driving DUI Defense Lawyer Mark Weingart in Tempe & Phoenix, AZ
In Arizona, driving under the influence of drugs can result in a DUI conviction. You may be charged with a DUI if you operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of an illegal substance such as narcotics. In fact, even if you are taking a legal, prescribed drug, you can still be charged with a DUI if you are impaired at the time of your driving. Some of the penalties include:
Unlike a DUI for alcohol, a chemical test for drugs in a person’s system can’t tell if a driver was impaired by a drug. Instead, law enforcement officers are trained to become “Drug Recognition Experts” (DRE’s) who supposedly can tell, through observation and field sobriety tests, whether a person is impaired by drugs. Our DUI lawyers have in-depth training and the knowledge to challenge these so-called drug recognition experts.
Get Help from Former DUI Judge & Drugged Driving DUI Defense Lawyer Mark Weingart in Tempe & Phoenix, AZ
In Arizona, driving under the influence of drugs can result in a DUI conviction. You may be charged with a DUI if you operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of an illegal substance such as narcotics. In fact, even if you are taking a legal, prescribed drug, you can still be charged with a DUI if you are impaired at the time of your driving. Some of the penalties include:
Unlike a DUI for alcohol, a chemical test for drugs in a person’s system can’t tell if a driver was impaired by a drug. Instead, law enforcement officers are trained to become “Drug Recognition Experts” (DRE’s) who supposedly can tell, through observation and field sobriety tests, whether a person is impaired by drugs. Our DUI lawyers have in-depth training and the knowledge to challenge these so-called drug recognition experts.
Drug Recognition Experts in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona
In Arizona, some police officers are attempting to offer their “expert” opinion as DRE’s regarding whether a driver is under the influence of narcotics. There are 12 steps to a DRE’s Drug Evaluation Process:
- Breath Alcohol Test – A sample of breath is taken from the driver to determine the concentration of alcohol.
- Interview of Arresting Officer – The DRE consults with the investigating officer to determine the circumstances surrounding the driver’s apprehension.
- Preliminary Examination – During an initial examination, the DRE asks the driver questions regarding the driver’s medical and physical limitations.
- Eye Examination – The DRE conducts tests for Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) and Vertical Gaze Nystagmus (VGN).
- Divided Attention Tests – The DRE has the driver perform the One Leg Stand test with both legs, the Walk and Turn test, a Modified Romberg Balance test, and the Finger-to-Nose test.
- Examination of Vital Signs – The DRE records the driver’s blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature.
- Dark Room Examination – The DRE examines the driver’s pupils in near total darkness, under direct light, and in normal room light. The DRE also examines the driver’s oral and nasal cavities.
- Examination of Muscle Tone – The DRE examines the flexion and the extension of the driver’s muscles to see if there is any flaccidity or rigidity.
- Examination of Injection Sites – The DRE examines common injection sites to determine if the driver is using injected substances.
- Driver’s Statements / Other Observations – The DRE tries to solicit information from the driver which will corroborate any signs and symptoms that the DRE has observed.
- DRE’s Opinion – The DRE makes a determination of the class or classes of drugs that is influencing the driver based on a matrix of the symptomology associated with known classes of drugs.
- Toxicological Examination – Blood, saliva or urine is obtained from the driver and is analyzed to determine what class of substances are present that corroborates the DRE’s opinion.
Challenging the Reliability of Drug Recognition Experts
The reliability of DRE’s has been as widely criticized and has been challenged by defense attorneys in many states. For example, one of the things that DRE’s look for is dilated pupils. There are numerous medical reasons why one’s pupils may become dilated which include sexual arousal, excitement, and performing complex cognitive tasks. Ironically, most people who get pulled over even for a simple traffic ticket experience a bit of fight or flight response to flashing blue lights. Just the sheer fact of being pulled over can cause enough excitement, and consequently the release of enough adrenaline, to cause your pupils to become dilated. No matter what the circumstances may be, our DUI attorneys are prepared to challenge any opinion presented against our clients by any “Drug Recognition Expert” including using our own experts in various fields of medicine to challenge the reliability of the DRE’s training, testing, and opinion.
Call Our Criminal and DUI Defense Attorney 24/7
You need to act fast if you’re charged with a crime or a DUI in Arizona. For example, for DUI’s you only have 15 days to request a MVD hearing before your driving privilege in Arizona is automatically suspended.
Don’t wait. Contact us NOW for your FREE consultation.
Call Our Criminal Defense Attorney 24/7
In Arizona, you must act quickly if you have been convicted of DUI or a crime. In the case of a DUI, for instance, you have only 15 days to request a hearing until your driving privileges are suspended. We are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week because we recognize that there may be instances in which you require quick legal assistance.
Don’t wait. Contact us NOW for your FREE consultation.
About Your Free DUI Defense Consultation
Meet with one of our DUI lawyers, and we will review your rights. We’ll answer all of your questions, and we’ll explain exactly how we can successfully defend you regarding issues such as:
Download Our Free Book on DUI
Mark Weingart’s book, “How to Survive a DUI Charge in Arizona,” is available for FREE. Based on over 40 years of experience defending DUIs, Mark wrote this book to explain the laws and your rights in Arizona concerning a DUI in easy-to-understand terms. If you’ve been charged with a DUI or want to know your legal rights if you are stopped for a DUI, this book is a MUST READ.
What’s in the Free DUI Book
Download Our Free Book on DUI
Mark Weingart’s book, “How to Survive a DUI Charge in Arizona,” is available for FREE. Based on over 40 years of experience defending DUIs, Mark wrote this book to explain the laws and your rights in Arizona concerning a DUI in easy-to-understand terms. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI or want to know your legal rights if you are stopped for a DUI, this book is a MUST READ.
What’s in the Free DUI Book
Unmatched Results & Experience
Arizona is home to the strictest DUI and criminal laws in the country. A criminal conviction can result in substantial fines, community service, or jail time. Our law firm has the in-depth training and knowledge needed to defend you. Trust the protection of your rights to lawyers who have built a name for themselves in DUI and criminal defense. Contact us today to learn more about how Mark Weingart and his team can help you.
