For some people, prescription drugs are not an option but a necessity. According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly seven in ten Americans take one type of prescription drug at any given time. That means that many people are driving around in the state of Texas on medication. However, just because it is prescribed by a physician and legal, that doesn’t mean that it is always legal for you to drive. Before you take any medicine, it is important for you to know what the consequences can be. You can get a DWI for taking prescription medication.
Yes, You Can Be Charged With DWI for Taking Prescription Medication
DWI means driving while intoxicated. If you take any drug, prescription or not, and it impairs your ability to drive, then you can be arrested for DWI. In Texas, if you take prescription drugs and are impaired, the charges are the same as any other DWI arrest. If you fail a field sobriety test or a chemical test, then regardless of whether you obtained the drugs legally, you will be charged with a crime.
What Are the Consequences of Being Arrested for DWI?
If you are arrested for taking drugs and being impaired, then you can face a Class B misdemeanor for your first offense, which could lead to as many as one hundred days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $2000. If you get into an accident and someone is killed, the charges can climb to a 2nd or 3rd degree felony. That can mean two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
What Happens if You Are Pulled Over for DWI Suspicions?
If you are pulled over due to a suspected DWI, then you have to submit to a sobriety test. You also might have to submit to either a breathalyzer or a chemical test. The breathalyzer will not measure any drugs in your system, but a chemical test can. If you fail the sobriety test, then the police can ask you to submit to a chemical test. The chemical test can prove that you are under the influence of drugs, prescription or otherwise.
So before you take any medication and get behind the wheel of a car in the state of Texas, it is imperative that you know the side effects of the medication. If it impairs your ability to drive, then don’t drive. It doesn’t make any difference if you obtained the prescription legally by a physician or not. Those who are impaired can face DWI charges. If you have been arrested for DWI for prescription drugs, you may be able to reduce the charges or dismiss them. The only way to know is to hire the help of an experienced DWI lawyer like Stephen T. Bowling. Call today to discuss how to build a winning defense to avoid charges.
