While DUID charges are not that common in Loudoun County, when someone is arrested, charged, and convicted for such a crime, there can still be disastrous consequences. In addition to illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine, drugs that an individual may have a prescription for can still lead to a DUID charge and conviction. For further information about drug DUI charges, call a Loudoun County drug DUI lawyer as soon as possible to begin building a defense.
It is uncommon to be charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, or a “DUID,” in Loudoun County. However, even though it is an uncommon charge, it does not mean it never happens. Typically when drivers are arrested for suspicious driving behavior and the odor of alcoholic beverage is not present, the officers will investigate to determine whether the person is Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.
There are a variety of circumstances under which an individual may be charged with DUID. The most common are driving after consuming drugs and then being involved in an accident after driving carelessly; being stopped for motor vehicle equipment violation such as no headlights at night, etc; or being stopped for violating a rule of the road, such as failing to yield or failing to maintain a lane. If you are stopped for one of these violations and the circumstances of the stop lead the officer to believe that you may have consumed drugs, you may be charged with DUID.
After an officer has pulled the accused over for suspicion of driving under the influence, the officer will likely make an observation about that person, their appearance and the appearance of their vehicle. Some common observations that may lead a trained officer to believe that drug abuse is present include presence of drug paraphernalia, presence of prescription drug containers, prescriptions on a person, admissions by the driver about consumption of illegal drugs or about taking prescription medications and odors or smells consistent with the use of illegal or prescription drugs.
Just like alcohol-related DUI cases, if you are suspected of violating the statute regarding Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, there will likely be a battery of Field Sobriety Tests. It is important to remember that FSTs are optional and you may exercise your right to refuse them.
Drug DUI cases are unique in Loudoun County. DUID cases combine two elements that police officers are actively trying to enforce in local community. First, if it is essentially a DUI stop, they are trying to take an unsafe driver off the road. Second, it typically involves either illegal drugs or illicit use of prescription drugs. These are both points of priority for local law enforcement. When these two sectors collide, it makes it an area of disturbance for law enforcement and they look for and prosecute DUID cases strictly.
Northern Virginia Criminal Defense Group
