Methamphetamine DUI in Virginia
May 9, 2019
Most people, when thinking about a DUI, picture the drunk driver with bottles of alcohol strewn about the car. However, when a person drives under the influence of drugs, such as methamphetamine, he or she can just as easily be charged with DUI.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug, and its use while driving can lead to serious criminal penalties.
What Is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug and is a stimulant. It most commonly takes the form of a white, bitter-tasting powder or pill. Often, "crystal meth" comes in the form of what looks like glass fragments and can be white or bluish-white.
It is chemically similar to amphetamines and has many of the same effects.
Common Names
Methamphetamine is used recreationally under several different names, including but not limited to:
chalk
crank
crystal
ice
meth
speed.
How Meth Is Commonly Used
There are many different ways that meth is used recreationally, including:
inhaling;
smoking;
swallowing (a pill);
snorting; or
injecting the powder intravenously (after it is dissolved in water or alcohol).
The "high" from meth does not necessarily last long, and individuals often take multiple repeated doses in a serious of "binge and crash" moments. This can seriously affect a person's ability to drive, leading to a Virginia DUI.
Effects of Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine can have many effects on a person's body, much of which can affect a person's ability to drive.
rapid or irregular heartbeat;
increased blood pressure;
increased body temperature;
anxiety;
confusion;
violent behavior;
paranoia (extreme distrust of others); or
hallucinations.
Over-continued use or through binge and crash sessions, these effects can become much more severe.
Effects on Driving
The effects of methamphetamine can directly affect how well a person can drive. Effects can include:
an inability to maintain a lane;
difficulty breathing;
fainting;
distraction;
an increased aggressiveness while driving; and
an inability to pass field sobriety tests.
Intoxication by drugs can lead to serious criminal penalties as well as drug possession charges.
Defending Your Criminal Case
A DUI arrest related to methamphetamine use while driving can lead to very serious penalties, including high fines, license suspension, and time in jail or prison.
Just because you are charged with a crime, does not mean that you are guilty. There are defenses that can be raised to protect your rights.
Challenging Field Sobriety Tests: Field sobriety tests are not known for their accuracy, quite the opposite in fact. They are often administered incorrectly by the police officer, and the observations from them can be rendered invalid as a result.
Suppressing Evidence: Evidence that was collected unconstitutionally can be kept out of evidence, which could lead to a reduction or dismissal of your charges.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: A criminal case has a high burden of proof. If the evidence is not sufficient to meet that burden of proof, you can prove your innocence.
Contact an Experienced Virginia Dui Attorney
A Virginia Drug DUI charge is a serious thing to face, but you do not have to face it alone. If charged with DUI, you have options to fight your charges. To protect your constitutional rights, you need Virginia DUI attorney Bryan J. Jones to defend your case.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case.