DUI Los Angeles

DUI Attorneys Defending DUI Drugs Cases

In California, people know about getting arrested for driving over the legal limit for alcohol. But, in California as you may have found out you can also get arrested for a DUI for driving under the influence of drugs, or for driving under the influence of both: alcohol and drugs.

Our experienced Los Angeles DUI Attorneys know the real defenses and do not get side-tracked by common mistakes rookie attorneys often make, believing it matters if the drugs found in your system are illegal, like heroin, cocaine, marijuana or meth, or commonly prescribed medications like Vicodin, Valium, Oxycodone, Xanax or Ambien.

Our highly trained Los Angeles DUI Attorneys know get to the key issue the prosecution must prove in a DUI drugs case: person was under the influence of a drug and prove the substance impaired driving. It's not a defense to DUI drugs that a person had a valid prescription or legally used an over-the-counter, non-prescription drug.

In some cases, our seasoned DUI defense attorneys decide the blood must be retested by an independent laboratory. It may be appropriate to determine whether levels of the drugs in a person's system are at, below or above therapeutic ranges. This evidence is used to rebut prosecution evidence that you were impaired at the time of driving.

Marijuana DUI

The major psychoactive ingredient of the cannabis plant is THC. Delta-9 THC is the active ingredient of marijuana. Delta-9 Carboxy THC is the inactive metabolite of marijuana. 11-Hydroxy THC is the active metabolite of marijuana.

Our marijuana DUI attorneys provide a great defense because our DUI firm knows it is difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the legal requirements between a person's THC blood concentration and driving impairing effects.

There are 2 species of cannabis plants. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis Indica. When the species are crossed, the plant is called a hybrid. Medical Marijuana or cannabis medicine is usually labeled as one of these 3 types. Marijuana plants contain the same medical compounds, these compounds occur in different amounts.

Concentrations of marijuana and its metabolites vary depending on how often, and how much, and how the marijuana is ingested. Detection of THC metabolites in urine only indicates prior THC exposure.

Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy DUI

You may have been arrested for driving under the influence of cocaine, methamphetamine or ecstasy. It is critical you have our experienced attorneys examine the evidence against you to determine the key issues. The police officers may have done an investigation and noted signs such as hyper-alertness, rapid and agitated body movements, or dilated pupils.

Did your DUI investigation include an evaluation by Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)?

A DRE uses the following equipment in a drug influence evaluation:

Pupilometer: about 3 by 5 inch plastic card with dark circles ranging in half-millimeter gradations from 1.0 millimeters to 9.0.

Sphygmomanometer: a manual, blood pressure cuff.

Stethoscope.

Thermometer.

Penlight.

Magnifying light.

Anytime someone has been charged with DUI drugs in county court in California, he or she should set up a meeting - a free consultation - with Los Angeles DUI Attorney Richard Wagner as soon as possible.

DUI drugs is being taken more seriously as shown by recent laws being passed. A court conviction for driving under the influence of drugs can lead to serious consequences, especially for second or third offenders.

CALIFORNIA LATEST DUI DRUG LAW: Effective July 1, 2010, new DUI laws provide specific driving under the influence (DUI) offenders the option to regain full driving privileges early through the installation and use of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID).

Second DUI Offenders whose DUI involved alcohol only may reinstate after 90-day suspension. Third DUI Offenders whose DUI involved alcohol only may reinstate after 6-month revocation.

Conviction Involving Drugs -- Second or third DUI offenders whose most recent DUI conviction included the use of drugs do not qualify for early reinstatement with the installation of an IID until 12 months of a suspension/revocation has been completed.

Los Angeles DUI Attorneys

TheseLos Angeles DUI Attorneys understand they represent people. People from all walks of life who have been charged with not only DUI alcohol, but also DUI drugs. These experienced Los Angeles DUI Attorneys have helped many Californians fight their DUI charges and avoid suspensions, revocations and convictions.

DUI convictions in court not only burden finances, but also freedom and quality of life. People who get arrested for DUI drugs should hire a Los Angeles DUI Attorney to defend them as soon as possible. Gold, Leftwich & Wagner are dedicated Los Angeles DUI Attorneys devoted to DUI defense.