It is illegal to drive on benzodiazepines in some situations. These medications can impair your ability to safely operate a vehicle. Therefore, you may face charges for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) if you take them and get behind the wheel.
However, if you are prescribed benzodiazepines and have them in your system while driving, prosecutors must prove that you were impaired to convict you. A DUI lawyer in Los Angeles can negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges dropped or dismissed. Let’s take a closer look at the legality of driving on benzodiazepines.
Effects of Benzodiazepines on Drivers in Los Angeles
Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications. They help individuals who deal with anxiety relax. However, they may have a number of side effects. Some of these side effects may impact drivers negatively. For example, taking benzodiazepines may cause:
- Confusion
- Impaired thinking
- Memory loss
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Blurred or double visions
- Issues with coordination
It could be illegal for you to drive on benzodiazepines if you experience any of the above-listed side effects after taking your prescribed medication. If you drive while experiencing these side effects, you could get pulled over and charged with a drug-impaired driving offense.
Benzodiazepines that Are Illegal To Drive On
If you’re unsure whether the anxiety medication you take contains benzodiazepines, it’s best to find out before you get behind the wheel. The following common medications contain benzodiazepines:
- Valium
- Xanax
- Serepax
- Magadan
These are only examples of medications containing benzodiazepine. There are many other types of psychiatric medicines that you shouldn’t take while driving. It’s a good idea to consider the contents and possible side effects of any medication before you drive.
Arrests for DUID Charges in Los Angeles
Since it can be illegal to drive on benzodiazepines, you may face criminal charges if you operate a vehicle after taking your anxiety medication. However, these charges may not always result in a conviction.
If a police officer believes you are driving in an unsafe manner, they may pull you over and ask you to complete a field sobriety test. They may also have you perform breath tests. Benzodiazepines will not show up on a breath test. However, they may require you to perform a blood or urine test if you are arrested.
Benzodiazepines may show up on these tests. However, these medications may remain in your blood for a significant amount of time after you take them. This means that you may not be impaired by the medication, even if it’s still in your system.
A skilled lawyer can take on your case and argue that, although you had benzodiazepines in your system at the time of the arrest, your ability to drive was not impacted by the drug. You can find out more about defending yourself against DUID charges by meeting with a trusted defense lawyer.
Results of a DUID Conviction for Benzodiazepine Use
California’s court system handles DUID charges very seriously. You may face a number of penalties if you are convicted of driving under the influence of a chemical substance. DUID charges apply if you drive after taking illicit drugs or prescription medications, like benzodiazepines.
A conviction for driving under the influence of benzodiazepines may result in:
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Jail time and probation
- Driver’s license suspension
Your conviction also remains on your record after a DUID in Los Angeles, and the charge will be considered priorable. This means the court will count it against you if you are arrested for a subsequent DUI or DUID in California. Additionally, the penalties you face increase each time you’re convicted of a DUID.
How an Attorney Can Fight Your DUID Charges
If you’ve been charged with a DUID after driving under the influence of benzodiazepines, you’ll want to take your defense case seriously. To get the help you need to avoid life-changing consequences, we recommend working with a skilled attorney. Here’s what a lawyer can do to combat your charges and protect your freedom:
- Investigate your arrest, the arresting officer’s conduct, and other aspects of the incident
- Gather evidence to build a strong defense strategy on your behalf
- Negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors
- Represent you in court and during DMV hearings
- Present compelling evidence in legal arguments during the trial
- Fight to get your charges thrown out or reduced to a lesser offense
- Offer clear and effective advice throughout the entirety of your case
- Advise you on whether it is illegal to drive on benzodiazepines
Build Your Defense for Benzodiazepine DUID Charges
One of the most important things an attorney can do for you after a DUID charge is to build a strong defense case. Depending on the details of your arrest, a lawyer may use one of the following defense strategies:
- You were stopped by the police without due cause
- You were not actually impaired while driving
A lawyer can use evidence collected during the investigation stage of your case to support one of these defenses. No matter how complicated your case is or how severe the penalties you’re facing, you can trust an experienced attorney to mount a strong legal defense on your behalf.
However, you’ll want to start on your case soon if you want a good chance at getting your charges dropped or reduced. The longer you wait to hire a lawyer, the more likely evidence will be misplaced. Don’t jeopardize your case. Instead, reach out to a trusted attorney today.
Find Out if It’s Illegal to Drive on Benzodiazepines
If you’re facing DUID charges for driving after taking your anxiety medication, don’t wait to get in touch with a skilled lawyer. Contact Los Angeles DUI lawyer today to learn more about your legal options and how an attorney can help you win your case.
We’ll meet with you for a free consultation to explain your rights, answer any questions you have, and advise you further on whether it is illegal to drive on benzodiazepines. We look forward to hearing from you soon and providing the resources you need to avoid a damaging conviction.
