Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

The Anatomy of a OUI Arrest

When a driver is arrested for operating under the influence drugs, two different processes start. First, the driver will be given a court date to appear at the Superior Court and face criminal prosecution. Second, the driver will receive a letter from the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that their driver’s license has been suspended for a certain period of time and beginning on a date certain in the near future.

With regard to the criminal process, a person suspected of operating his or her car under the influence of drugs or illegal substances will be charged with Operating Under the Influence (“OUI”) in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-227a.  Whether a first, second or subsequent offender, it is crucially important for a defendant facing a OUI seek experienced and competent counsel as early in the process as possible to protect his or her rights and start building the defensive strategy. 

At Brown, Paindiris & Scott, our criminal defense lawyers have a combined 90 years of experience defending our client’s rights.  In our experience, dealing with the impact of a OUI arrest and the criminal and administrative processes can begin before the defendant even appears in court. 

Operating Under the Influence of Drugs

The impact of a OUI arrest can be significant.  In terms of both the legal process it involves, as well as the implications for the defendant’s life, employment, professional licensure, reputation and domestic tranquility.  Given the importance of this kind of an event in one’s life, the information available online and the “do it yourself” materials are lacking.  These kinds of resources fail to properly recognize and explain the distinction between arrests for a OUI, convictions for a OUI, and the respective impacts of each.  Moreover, these online resources fail to address the potential differences in an arrest or conviction for operating under the influence of alcohol, versus some other illegal substance. 

>It is important to know that the majority of OUI arrests do not result in OUI convictions.  The law creates safety nets for those who have no prior OUI, which includes individuals accused of operating under the influence of drugs.  Moreover, the nature of evidence that led to the police stop, the rendering (or refusal) of a blood or urine sample, and the lab testing process for drug-related OUI arrests can all dramatically impact what will happen in a given case.  This is especially true in drug-related OUI arrests where the defendant has valid prescriptions for scheduled substances, is recovering from a substance use disorder and taking medications to address an opioid addiction, or has other reason to suspect that the presence of substances in their system did not render them “intoxicated” while driving.<

Given the nuance between the circumstances and the law, it is important to have an experienced, competent and zealous advocate on your side when facing a DUI arrest.

Schedule a Consultation with a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Brown, Paindiris & Scott, LLP

Do not trust what you can Google about operating under the influence to explain what you are facing or how to best defend yourself, especially if you are alleged to have operated under the influence of drugs or intoxicating substances, and especially if there are aggravating circumstances, like having been in an accident that resulted in injuries to another.

Our attorneys have extensive experience handling a wide variety of both straightforward and complicated OUI matters. Whether this is a misunderstanding based on your prescriptions, or you have a substance use disorder or illness and need professional assistance, let our team help.

Contact us today to discuss your particular circumstances with a member of our criminal defense and OUI defense team.