JOLIET, IL DRUG DUI LAWYERS

Drugged Driving Defense Attorneys Serving Frankfort, Crest Hill, and Will County

When you think about a charge of driving under the influence (DUI), you are likely to envision a driver slurring his or her words with the smell of alcohol on his or her breath. Drunk driving, however, is merely one of the situations that can lead to charges of DUI. A person can be arrested for DUI even if he or she has never consumed alcohol in his or her life. DUI charges could also be brought against a driver for operating his or her vehicle while under the influence of drugs, including illegal substances and drugs prescribed by a doctor. If you are facing DUI charges related to the use of drugs, an experienced attorney at Reeder & Brown, P.C. can help.

DUI Drugs Defense Lawyer Serving Plainfield and Crest Hill

The Illinois Vehicle Code provides that it is illegal to drive while under the influence of any drug or intoxicating compounds "to a degree that renders the person incapable of driving safely." A combination of drugs, alcohol, or other substances may also result in DUI charges if the driver cannot safely operate a vehicle. You can be arrested for drugged driving even if you do not fail a breathalyzer or other chemical testing. In many cases, a drugged driving arrest is based only on the observations of the arresting officer. Our attorneys may be able to challenge these observations and demonstrate that an officer did not have probable cause to perform an arrest.

At our law firm, we understand the difficulties you may be facing if you have been charged with a drug-related DUI. Our attorneys have worked with many clients in similar situations, and we are equipped to put that experience to work for you.

Controlled Substances and Marijuana DUI in Illinois

A driver found to have any trace of an illegal controlled substance, such as heroin or cocaine, in his or system can be charged with DUI under the state's zero-tolerance policy. Marijuana, however, presents a different situation.

Marijuana has been legalized for medical and recreational use under Illinois law, meaning that it is legal to possess small amounts of the drug. Illinois law has defined an impairment standard for marijuana comparable to the standard in place for blood alcohol content (BAC). A driver is considered impaired if the concentration of THC in his or her system is found to be at least five nanograms per milliliter of blood or ten nanograms per milliliter of any other bodily fluid, including saliva or urine. THC is the component of marijuana that creates the "high," and it may be an indicator that the drug was used recently.

Recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before conducting a blood test for alcohol or drugs. The decisions did not specifically address saliva or urine tests, but the requirement is likely to apply in these situations as well. If you were compelled to submit to a blood, saliva, or urine test without a warrant, our attorneys are ready to fight to have the test results disregarded and the charges against you dismissed.

Building a Drugged Driving Defense

When you work with Reeder & Brown, P.C., you will benefit from our team's experience, knowledge of the law, and familiarity with the Will County court system. We will carefully review the details of your arrest, looking for possible challenges and information that can be used to your advantage.

To learn more about how we can help with your drug-related DUI charge, contact our office. Call 815-885-5980 for a free consultation at our Joliet office today. We proudly serve clients throughout Will County and the surrounding areas.