Medication DUI Penalties in Georgia
When a medication, whether it is a prescription or over-the-counter drug, impairs your ability to drive or to share the road safely with others, it can lead to a criminal charge that is much like a DUI. Driving while impaired by any drug, including a medication that your doctor prescribed, can mar your legal record. The State of Georgia takes a harsh stance against every form of impairment behind the wheel, which means you should take the matter seriously from the outset.
Our experienced Gwinnett County DUI attorneys at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland welcome the opportunity to defend you.
Ignorance of Impairment Is Not a Viable Defense
Many people don’t give much thought to prescription medications when it comes to driving. While having a valid prescription does give you the legal right to take a drug, it does not give you the right to drive while on the medication.
Every prescription that you fill includes any warnings that may apply right on the bottle. A common risk factor for many types of medications is drowsiness, which is clearly unsafe behind the wheel. When a drug specifically addresses operating heavy machinery, it includes driving a car. This means that you shouldn’t drive while on it or that you shouldn’t drive until you’re aware of how the drug affects you, depending on the nature of the warning.
Penalties for Medication DUI in Gwinnett County
The charge of medication DUI carries the same hefty fines and penalties that DUI for alcohol does in Gwinnett County and throughout the State of Georgia. Consider the following serious consequences for a first impaired driving conviction:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Up to a year in jail
- Up to 40 hours of community service
- Up to 12 months of probation
- A substance abuse evaluation, which could lead to a course that addresses drug use
Minimally, you’ll face $300 in fines and a mandatory 24 hours in jail, which can be offset by any time you spent in jail following arrest. If the charge is not your first, the consequences will be even harsher.
Social Consequences
It’s also important to note the social consequences of a medication DUI conviction, which can include all the following:
- A tarnished reputation
- Difficulty finding work or renting a place to live
- Fewer opportunities for furthering your education in terms of financial aid, acceptance at the school of your choice, and living on campus
- Losses that relate to professional licensure
Consult with Our Experienced Gwinnett County Medication DUI Lawyers Today
Our capable Gwinnett County medication DUI attorneys at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland have an impressive track record for guiding very challenging DUI cases involving medications toward advantageous outcomes that support brighter futures for our valued clients. We’re here for you, too, so please don’t put off reaching out for more information about what we can do to help. Contact us online or give our firm a call at 770-887-1209 today.