Can You Be Charged With DUI In Georgia For Having Methamphetamine In Your System?
No one should get behind the wheel with anything in their system that can alter their ability to safely operate their vehicle. Doing so not only puts your own life and that of others in the car with you at grave risk but it also puts everyone on the road around you in danger. Plus, if caught by law enforcement, you will likely face an arrest for a Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. DUI arrests in Georgia can take place because a person has too much alcohol in their system or it can also be enforced when there are drugs in one’s system. And while illicit and illegal drugs are one thing, so are over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Even if the drugs that you have in your system are legal, if they alter your state of mind and your ability to drive safely, you are not protected from being arrested for DUI.
A DUI arrest in Georgia is a serious criminal offense that comes with harsh penalties. And, the more arrests that one has in their driving history, the more substantial and severe the penalties will be. It is best to have the most talented and effective legal representation on your side when you are facing DUI charges in Georgia. At Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers, our DeKalb County DUI defense attorneys know the laws in the state and how to handle DUI cases for our clients that secure the best possible results. Mike Hawkins has taught DUI defense to lawyers and judges across the country and is Board Certified in DUI Defense as recognized by the American Bar Association.
How Methamphetamine Can Impair Drivers
As a drug, methamphetamine is classified as a stimulant and as a drug that is extremely addictive in nature. When ingested it affects the central nervous system. Because ingredients to make methamphetamine can be found in over-the-counter cold medicines, it is highly likely that if you go to the store and buy a cold medicine you will be asked for your driver’s license to determine your age and you will be limited in how many bottles you can purchase.
When methamphetamine is made it can look shiny or clear, or it can have a blue and white appearance. When one uses meth they are likely to experience the effects fairly rapidly. However, even though feeling “high” on meth happens so fast, it is not something that lasts long. So, a user may be inclined to take one dose after another to keep that feeling going.
If under the influence of meth, one should not attempt to drive a car because their ability to do so safely will be significantly impacted. A driver on meth may fall asleep while driving, see hallucinations, have a heart attack, and have a slowed reaction time. These are just some examples of how dangerous driving is when meth is in a person’s system. An officer that sees a driver behaving erratically will pull them over and when that same driver has meth in their system, they will be charged with a DUI.
Speak to a DUI Defense Lawyer in Georgia
There are several outcomes that can happen when a conviction follows a DUI arrest in Georgia. One may lose their license, have to pay hefty fines, spend time in jail, and more. Fighting for the best outcome is what the Georgia DUI defense lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Attorneys do best. After a DUI arrest, please call Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers to schedule a free, initial consultation at 770-685-6400.
Hawkins Spizman Trial Attorneys represent individuals in Georgia including Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs.
Source:
nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
