Marijuana DUI

When most people think about being charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), they immediately think of this charge as it relates to alcohol consumption. However, the law also applies to operating a vehicle under the influence of intoxicating drugs, including marijuana. Much like alcohol consumption, although the use of marijuana may be legal in the state of Connecticut, driving under its influence is not. Let the professionals at the Law Offices of Pat Brown help you understand the increasingly complicated world of Marijuana DUI charges. 

Is Driving While High a DUI?

In short, driving while under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating drug, including marijuana, can result in DUI charges. When a driver is suspected to be over the legal limit for alcohol consumption, a simple breathalyzer test will be able to reveal whether their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is over the legal limit. However, since there is not yet a reliable field sobriety test used when it comes to marijuana or other drugs, specially trained officers called Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are tasked with evaluating whether or not a driver should be arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. They typically must rely on indicators such as your appearance, behavioral tests, presence of drugs, and other factors to make their determinations. Since there is no definitive field test to detect drug levels in a driver’s system, this often allows for more areas of opportunity to fight drug-related DUI charges.

Penalties for a Marijuana DUI

The penalties for a drug-related DUI conviction are similar to those for an alcohol-related DUI conviction. A first offense can typically result in consequences such as jail time, fines, license suspension, and the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your vehicle. Penalties for second and subsequent offenses can, of course, become even more severe. While the court is responsible for enforcing some of these penalties, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the entity that revokes and suspends licenses when appropriate. Navigating all of these penalties can be confusing and stressful, which is why fighting marijuana-related DUI charges and having an experienced attorney on your side are crucial to minimize the impact this will have on your life.

Pat Brown Law Will Fight for You

When it comes to DUI charges in the state of Connecticut, no driver should have to go it alone. The state’s laws, penalties, and restrictions can be intimidating, and if you’re facing marijuana-related DUI charges, you’ll want to ensure that you have experienced, knowledgeable attorneys on your side. Let the professionals at the Law Offices of Pat Brown fight for you. We are proud to be your advocates in the courtroom, and encourage you to contact us today for a free case consultation.