First time offender in nc-received dwi for prescription medication and received ticket for speeding. what do i face with nc dwi
Asked in Jacksonville, NC - about 1 year
i had taken my antidepressant without eating due to being in a hurry. i had recently gotten a new car and was not used to how it handled. i was going 72 mph in a 55 mph zone and ran off the road 2 times while trying to retrieve my cell phone. stopped by trooper and was asked if i had taken medication. i responded yes and then medication was looked up on-line for side effects. arrest made and i was taken to jail with $1500.00 bond. i have never had a speeding ticket or dwi. what can i expect?
Attorney Answers (3)
5 lawyers agreed with this answer
Southport DUI / DWI Attorney
Union DUI / DWI Attorney
Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney
Raleigh DUI / DWI Attorney
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1. BrAC or BAC reading of .08 or higher; and/or
2. Appreciable Impairment as described by witnesses for the State; and/or
3. Existence of Metabolites of certain controlled substances. (SEE BELOW FOR STATUTORY DEFINITION UNDER NCGS 20-138.1)
The accused may not be actually "impaired" to be convicted of Impaired Driving. DWI may be proven even in instances where the active ingredient is NOT present in the sample (normally blood) and only the remaining "metabolite" shows in testing.
DWI law in North Carolina is VERY complicated. . .and at times frustrating. One need not "intend" to drive while impaired. Although not often seen, legally prescribed medications can present problems.
For example, Alprazolam is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Alprazolam may cause side effects. As it pertains to Driving While Impaired DWI they may include:
• drowsiness
• light-headedness
• tiredness
• dizziness
• irritability
• talkativeness
• difficulty concentrating
• dry mouth
• nausea
• joint pain
• seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• memory problems
• confusion
• problems with speech
• problems with coordination or balance
You may benefit from reviewing one of our North Carolina DWI - Quick Reference Guides (the 2012 edition is not yet available on digital form) for GENERAL background information. There have been changes in the law since said version; yet, the general concepts of law pertaining to "impairment" and "impairing substances" is set forth therein.
http://www.flash-pub.com/pub/ebooks/62a7b355f5/...
You should retain an experienced DWI attorney as soon as possible. In many instances the consultation is both free and confidential.
Bill Powers
North Carolina DWI Defense
See also: NCGS 20-138.1
§ 20‑138.1. Impaired driving.
(a) Offense. – A person commits the offense of impaired driving if he drives any vehicle upon any highway, any street, or any public vehicular area within this State:
(1) While under the influence of an impairing substance; or
(2) After having consumed sufficient alcohol that he has, at any relevant time after the driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. The results of a chemical analysis shall be deemed sufficient evidence to prove a person's alcohol concentration; or
(3) With any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance, as listed in G.S. 90‑89, or its metabolites in his blood or urine.
(a1) A person who has submitted to a chemical analysis of a blood sample, pursuant to G.S. 20‑139.1(d), may use the result in rebuttal as evidence that the person did not have, at a relevant time after driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
(b) Defense Precluded. – The fact that a person charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense to a charge under this section.
(b1) Defense Allowed. – Nothing in this section shall preclude a person from asserting that a chemical analysis result is inadmissible pursuant to G.S. 20‑139.1(b2).
(c) Pleading. – In any prosecution for impaired driving, the pleading is sufficient if it states the time and place of the alleged offense in the usual form and charges that the defendant drove a vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area while subject to an impairing substance.
(d) Sentencing Hearing and Punishment. – Impaired driving as defined in this section is a misdemeanor. Upon conviction of a defendant of impaired driving, the presiding judge shall hold a sentencing hearing and impose
SEE LINK BELOW FOR COMPLETE STATUTORY DEFINITION
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Definitely seek a qualified attorney to handle this matter to see if there is some way to get the charges dismissed (through a suppression hearing or trial). Usually DAs will never dismiss a DWI charge on their own. You have to fight it.
Linda Medeiros Callahan
Seattle DUI / DWI Attorney
2 lawyers agreed with this answer
Union DUI / DWI Attorney
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The prosecution is going to have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the anti-depressant caused impairment that affected your driving. The State usually has trained expert witnesses that work for the government, and it is their job to give this kind of testimony.
As the defendant, you have no burden to prove anything, but as a practical reality, if you do not have your own expert witness to refute that testimony, the jurors or judge might well believe it. Although I have a hunch if any of your jurors or the judge ever took anti-depressants they would think the testimony of the State expert is hogwash.
If you are convicted of DUI, there will be jail time to serve and the amount depends upon any aggravating factors that the judge might find in the facts of your case.
Find a good DUI lawyer to fight the case.
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