DUI and Drugs
A major difficulty faced by anyone arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles is that a conviction will lead to a requirement by the DMV to install in any vehicle owned or operated by the defendant an ignition interlock device. This device is expensive, inconvenient and embarrassing. It requires the defendant to blow into a tube attached to the device before starting the vehicle. If alcohol is registered on that persons breath, the vehicle will not start. Failure to comply will lead to a longer suspension.
If a person is convicted of
DUI based on medication or drugs, the requirement still applies. This makes little sense as the device is not able to detect drugs or medication. This can result in a person who does not drink alcohol and who has not been arrested for a DUI based on alcohol being required to install a device that only detects alcohol consumption.
The only way to avoid the requirement to install this device is to successfully defend the DUI prosecution and at least persuade the prosecutor to reduce charges to a
wet reckless or better. It is only a DUI conviction that triggers the
IID requirement from the DMV.
If you have any questions concerning defending a DUI based on drugs, please call
Los Angeles DUI Lawyers Gold and Witham for a free consultation.