Darien DUI Drug Arrest Process
The prosecution of drug DUIs is generally a very high priority for Darien law enforcement. There are not many cases of violent crime in Darien, so the officers have the time and resources to focus on drug DUIs in an effort to keep the roads safe.
The DUI drug arrest process in Darien is often quite complex, and can leave many individuals facing stiff criminal penalties. To help defend against such consequences, it is important that an individual consult with an experienced Darien DUID lawyer as soon as possible.
Frequency of the Charge
Drug DUI charges are quite frequent in Darien. The area sees more alcohol-related DUIs than drug DUIs, but an experienced attorney can defend both.
Typically, if someone is impaired, that is what law enforcement likes to focus on. They are not as concerned with what is impairing the person, just to make the charge either way.
Although it is less frequent, people in Darien are convicted of drug charges pretty regularly, more so if the person has already had a previous DUI.
If it is their second time, the individual might be pleading out to a drug DUI and have that conviction on their record. This occurs quite regularly given the legalization of marijuana and the ability of people to have it on them in the car while driving.
Process of a Stop
When stopping an individual for a suspected drug DUI in Darien, the police will typically either observe the car driving erratically, notice there has been an accident, or they are at a DUI checkpoint. That is usually how the Darien drug DUI arrest process would begin.
After further observation by the officer or interaction with the person, there may be suspicions that the person is under the influence of drugs, and the officer will look into it further.
Drug DUI stops are very similar to a standard, alcohol-related DUI stop. The officer will essentially perform the same techniques to determine if someone is impaired as they would if it was an alcohol DUI.
Substances Involved in Drug DUIs
Prescription drugs, and especially narcotics, are often involved in Darien drug DUIs. Experienced attorneys also see a lot of cases involving marijuana.
It is not often that a person is under the influence of over-the-counter medication, such as allergy medication, although it is possible that the driver may take enough of it to the point where they are legally impaired. However, this offense is mostly to do with prescription or illegal drugs. No matter the substance, the Darien DUI drug arrest process will often proceed the same.
Determining the Level of Impairment
To determine an individual’s level of impairment, law enforcement will often look at the person’s eyes to see if their pupils are dilated, red, or bloodshot.
They will also see how attentive the person is. Slouching over or falling asleep can sometimes indicate drug interaction or just general impairment.
The police officer will have the driver do the typical walk and turn, the one-legged stand, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test when attempting to determine their level of impairment. Officers can utilize all of those tests, even if there is suspicion that the person is under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Depending on the results of those tests, an officer may proceed with the Darien DUI drug arrest process.
Marijuana-Related Charges
Marijuana-related charges are more common than other drug charges in Darien. In Connecticut, it is not a crime to possess a small amount of marijuana.
The state is a bit more liberal on marijuana possession generally, but that does not legalize driving under the influence of marijuana. Those charges are still taken very seriously. If charged, an individual will be moved through the Darien DUI drug arrest process. To defend against any charges, it is imperative the accused person seek the assistance of a Darien DUI drug lawyer immediately.