The terms DUI or DWI (Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Influenced, respectively) bring anyone’s ears to attention, no matter what state you are in. While it is somewhat understood what these terms relate to, it is surprising how little most Americans actually know about the DWI laws and what really constitutes driving while influenced. It is worth taking the time to educate oneself fully about this matter to avoid getting yourself in a bad situation. These are very serious situations and most of the time if you are accused of or arrested for this, you will want and need a good criminal attorney in Jefferson County, MO.
One of the first misconceptions about a DWI is that it is all about alcohol. This is completely untrue. Many drugs, including prescription drugs, can lead to you getting arrested for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a substance that may impair your faculties. When you consider that even a basic prescription medication—given to you by a doctor for a certain situation—can get you in need of a criminal attorney in Jefferson County, MO, you may want to take serious note of the laws.
There are many ways that law enforcement officers may determine whether or not you are under the influence or otherwise “impaired” and these methods are not completely airtight or clear. There is much gray in this area of law so if you are ever in such a situation, you will want to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. You will need to make sure that you are working with someone who is very experienced and well versed in this particular area of law so that you get the right protection if you are actually innocent. You will also want to note that there are nuances in the classification of impairment for driving based upon whether the substance at hand is alcohol or some type of a drug (legal or otherwise). Your attorney can help you sort out these facts and make sure your case is handled appropriately. This is not to say that a drug arrest is any less serious than an alcohol one, it is simply different and requires the right knowledge to manage it. Even further, there are also arrests or laws regarding impairment that is found to be related to both alcohol and drugs together.
Certainly your best line of defense is to avoid getting behind the wheel of a car after consuming anything that could be classified as impairing your abilities. If you are not able to do so and in trouble, you should be sure to find the best criminal attorney in Jefferson County, MO possible.
