DUID DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN DENVER, COLORADO

DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs)

DUID, or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, is a very serious charge in Colorado. Although there is no alcohol necessary to be charged with this offense by statute, its consequences can be identical to a DUI conviction.

Insurance companies, employers, and the government all treat DUID as synonymous with DUI. These cases carry unique legal challenges that demand the attention of a knowledgeable Denver DUI attorney who has experience handling these types of cases. At Hebets & McCallin, our Denver criminal attorneys know the special challenges that these cases present and we fight to obtain the result that our clients deserve.

How we can Help

Since the legalization of recreational marijuana, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, or DUID cases, are being prosecuted more and more aggressively in Colorado and involve unique legal challenges. It is essential that your Denver criminal defense attorney have specific experience defending DUID tickets. These charges often involve the use of police DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) certified officers who opine upon a defendant’s level of impairment as well as urine or blood tests to determine amounts of drugs in a person’s system. These assessments and results require review by an aggressive Denver defense attorney specifically schooled in DRE and Forensic Toxicology procedures. The attorneys at Hebets and McCallin are continually attending trainings geared toward exposing deficiencies in these examinations and tests.

Marijuana is not the only drug that law enforcement is trying to detect in drivers. Opioid use is on the rise and, as more overdose deaths happen each year, law enforcement officials are highlighting the problems with prescription drug use, including impaired driving. Other drugs, like Tramadol, Ambien, Xanax, Zoloft, to name a few, are also some of the more common drugs we see with DUI-D cases.

What to be Aware of

Drivers also need to be aware of how use of multiple drugs may affect their ability to drive. Here is a common example- a person has a glass of wine with dinner, but also consumes their daily prescription for Xanax. If the driver took only one of these substances, they would probably not be impaired to drive. But, if they are taken together, the combined effect of the two drugs may be amplified. In other words, even if two different drugs are taken at low levels, the combination of the two could lead to impairment. Drivers need to make sure that they understand the impact these medications have on their ability to drive.