You’ll Never Guess Why These DUI Charges Were Dropped!
Medication – not booze – has been ruled as the cause for driving under the influence (DUI) charges against a former US Navy Seal.
The Case at a Glance
The man was arrested in a convenience store parking lot at about 2:30 am on April 8 after police found him asleep behind the steering wheel of his running car. He never wavered from his initial claim that he had taken a prescription sleep aide in an effort to treat severe insomnia. He later failed sobriety tests and refused to take a Breathalyzer test.
Why The Charges Were Dropped
Just 15 minutes before the man was to stand trial, the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney’s office dropped the DUI charges and replaced them with a misdemeanor charge of negligent endangerment. According to an agreement signed by the man and the county attorney’s office, the man’s charge will be deferred for up to 12 months while he receives treatment through the Department of Veteran Affairs.
How Medications Can Result in DUI Charges
There is a host of legal medications that can produce DUI-like symptoms, including impaired coordination, tremors, and impaired judgement. A few that are known to cause such problems include:
- Sleeping pills
- Allergy medications
- Medication used for diabetes treatment and affects blood sugar levels
- Cold medications
Defense Against Legal Medication DUI Arrest
We’ve written before about how field sobriety tests are prone to error. That’s why it’s crucial to challenge any such tests in a case involving legal medication. Your attorney could also argue that the medication does not produce the side effects associated with driving impaired or that any known side effects are irrelevant because the medication had worn off before the arrest.
Tested and Charged With DUI? Call The Oswalt Law Group
First, we thank the Navy Seal for his service to our country. Second, it should be clear that if you have been charged, you definitely need an aggressive defense of your rights and you should call The Oswalt Law Group. Our number is (602) 225-2222 and there’s never a charge for the initial consultation.