DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS (DUID)
When Colorado adopted the constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana, there was a spike in the prosecution of driving under the influence of drugs. Even though medical marijuana is legal, under the Colorado DUI statutes, driving under the influence of marijuana is not. Likewise, Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance is a violation of Colorado DUI laws.
There are many, many issues and strategies related to DUID charges. The most important step to take is to contact a leading lawyer for drunk driving like Mike Moran to protect your rights. On certain DUID cases there is a 7 day time limit to act in contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles to preserve your driving privileges.
lf you are stopped by law enforcement and charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID), Colorado Springs Attorney Michael Moran will assist you with your legal defense. He will protect your constitutional rights.
The first step in analyzing any DUID case starts with the arrest. An officer must have reasonable suspicion to detain you. Colorado has defined reasonable suspicion as: “A peace officer may stop any person he reasonably suspects is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a crime.”
If you have not used your turn signal, perhaps not come to a complete stop at an intersection or stop sign, you are weaving, or don’t have your lights on in the evening, there may be justification for an officer to stop and investigate you for a traffic infraction.
At the initial contact between the police and you, the police will attempt to develop probable cause to make an arrest if there is suspicion of marijuana or drug use while driving.
If the officer asks you to allow him to search your person, your car, your home, or any other place belonging to you, you have a right to say no. If the officer searches despite your refusal, a judge may find that your rights were violated.
Unless the officer can give a legally valid reason for searching you, the judge may decide that the officer should have obtained a warrant. Many drug offenses hinge on these “Search and Seizure” issues.
After the officer has developed reasonable suspicion and probable cause, an individual may be requested to perform field sobriety tests or roadside maneuvers. These tests are voluntary and not a requirement under Colorado law. You may simply tell an officer you do not wish to take those tests, being respectful.
If you are arrested, an officer may request you take a blood test to establish his suspicion of marijuana or other drug use. A blood test for marijuana is measured in nanograms. Although there are no specific legal levels of use, the presence of even a minor amount of marijuana in your blood system can-result in you receiving a citation.
Previous marijuana usage may show up in a blood test and work to hinder your legal defense. Mike Moran has handled many marijuana cases (DUID) successfully for a broad spectrum of clients in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas.
Call (719) 447-1923 today to arrange a free consultation with Attorney Moran regarding your case.
What is a DUID? A DUI or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs is a term commonly used to refer to various illegal substances such as cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana.
As you can imagine, these are some pretty serious charges and if you are arrested, chances are you will be put in jail. And unfortunately, most drivers arrested for these offenses end up with a criminal record that stays with them for life.
The easiest way to avoid a long and painful criminal record is to simply not drive when you are under the influence of drugs.
If your Colorado DUID was charged in connection with accident then you will probably be charged with vehicular assault too.
This means that if you’ve been arrested for a DUID in Colorado Springs, you’ll have little to no hope of avoiding jail time unless you get expert legal help fast. Luckily, there is hope. Many people have discovered that getting a lawyer who specializes in Colorado DUID cases is the best way to receive the fairest treatment possible. These experienced lawyers are able to successfully argue and get their clients dismissed or, in some cases, even reduce their charges to a misdemeanor.