The state of Florida has some of the toughest laws when it comes to DUI. Florida’s DUI statutes consider driving under the influence of not only alcohol, but it also covers any other illegal controlled substances or drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana or any other legal drug and over-the-counter medicine not specifically prescribed to you. In such a case, the state will try to convict you even if the drugs or substances you have used do not show up on a breathalyzer.

Cases that involve driving under the influence of drugs are very hard to prove for the prosecution, but regardless of that, you will still be charged with drug DUI in Orlando, Florida. If you find yourself in such a situation, the first thing to do is to get in touch with an attorney who specializes in these types of cases. The lawyer should be aware of the difference between representing your rights for a DUI alcohol charge and a DUI drug charge. Failing to do so will result in you facing criminal penalties including fines, license suspension and even imprisonment. Remember, you have to do this as soon as you are arrested before talking with the police or doing anything else.

Getting arrested for DUI drug charge

Driving under the Influence is a criminal offense which is why law enforcement agencies are always on the look out to find offenders on the streets that show signs of driving under the influence such as erratic driving or other violation of law. The law enforcement officer may also pull you over if he or she suspects that you are driving under the influence, even if you have not had a drink immediately before getting behind the wheel. Once you are pulled over, you may be asked to perform field sobriety tests to determine any impairment in your mental or motor functions. Depending on the particulars of your arrest, you may be facing a felony conviction or a misdemeanor which you will have to deal with by hiring a lawyer.

Breathalyzer tests and Controlled Substances

You can get arrested for DUI if you have taken prescription drugs or if you have been taking certain over the counter drugs. It is not always the case that you’ll end up getting arrested for DUI if you have had a lot to drink. When you are arrested for drunk driving as a result of using drugs, you can be labeled as a drug addict by the authorities. The drug or controlled substance that you have taken will not show up in the breathalyzer test, which is why you may be asked to submit to a blood or urine test.

What to know if you are stopped for DUI in Orlando?

You should be aware of several things if you are taking prescription drugs which might affect your ability to drive.

• First of all, if you know which prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs have affected you, you can admit to the officer before submitting to the blood or urine test. This way you can protect yourself from being labeled as a drug addict.
• Secondly, you should also be aware of the procedure which the arresting officer is supposed to follow at the time of arrest. The state of Florida requires that the person is observed for at least twenty minutes before they are requested to submit to a breathalyzer test.

If the breathalyzer test shows your BAC levels at 0.08% or higher, you are considered legally drunk. In such a case, you will be arrested for drunk driving and taken to jail. Your car will also be impounded.

If you fail to agree to a breathalyzer test, you will automatically be arrested and you will also lose your driving privileges for up to one year.

DUI laws in Orlando, Florida

Apart from facing jail time, license suspension and vehicle impounding, other penalties of a DUI convicting in Orlando include:

• Fine of $500 to $4,000, depending on the severity of offense
• Installation of Ignition Interlock Device from 6 months to up to 2 years
• Completion of DUI School
• Jail time can be between 6 months to 5 years for a fourth offense

In extreme case, like a fourth offense, your license can be suspended for life with no hardship reinstatement.

Contact a DUI drug Attorney to fight your case

A DUI drug charge should not be taken lightly. Working with an experienced lawyer who specializes in DUI drug cases will not only save you from heavy fines and a prison sentence, it will also make sure that the charges have a minimum effect on you so you can continue to live a normal life afterwards. Remember that if you don’t hire a lawyer, you will not have any means to track the legal procedure of your case and it will be very difficult for you to have the charges dismissed.