River Rouge Drugged Driving Defense: Challenge Every Assumption

If you've been charged with drugged driving in River Rouge, the prosecution relies heavily on toxicology results and drug recognition expert evaluations to prove impairment. Unlike alcohol-related DUI cases where breathalyzer readings provide immediate, standardized results, drugged driving charges depend on blood or urine tests that measure the presence of substances—not impairment. The difference matters. Someone can test positive for a controlled substance days after use, long after any impairing effects have faded. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and even certain supplements can trigger positive results without affecting your ability to drive safely.

River Rouge sits just southwest of Detroit, and many residents travel to and from work along Jefferson Avenue or through Dearborn and Ecorse. A drugged driving charge here often stems from traffic stops for minor violations—a broken taillight, failure to signal, or alleged weaving. Officers then look for signs of impairment, which can be subjective and based on factors like bloodshot eyes, nervousness, or even medical conditions unrelated to substance use. Once a drug recognition expert is called, the evaluation process involves multiple steps, including pupil dilation tests and balance assessments that are far less reliable than many assume.

Drug recognition experts follow a 12-step protocol designed to identify categories of drugs based on observable symptoms. The process includes checking vital signs, conducting eye examinations, and performing divided attention tests. The problem is that many of these observations can result from fatigue, medical conditions, stress, or environmental factors. A dilated pupil might indicate stimulant use, or it might be a response to bright patrol lights at night. Shaky balance could reflect anxiety during a roadside encounter, not impairment. These evaluations are subjective, and DRE officers are not infallible. Their conclusions can be challenged when the underlying assumptions don't hold up under scrutiny.

Toxicology testing adds another layer of complexity. Blood tests measure the concentration of a substance at the time the sample was drawn, which can be hours after the traffic stop. The presence of THC, prescription opioids, or benzodiazepines doesn't automatically prove impairment at the time of driving. Many substances remain detectable in the bloodstream long after their effects have worn off. Defense strategies focus on the timing of the test, the chain of custody for the sample, and whether the lab followed proper procedures. Errors in handling, contamination, or misinterpretation of results can create reasonable doubt.

For those facing drugged driving charges in River Rouge, challenging the DRE evaluation and toxicology evidence is often the most effective path forward. These cases require a defense that understands the science, knows how to cross-examine experts, and can present alternative explanations for the observations that led to arrest.

Drugged driving convictions carry serious consequences in Michigan, including jail time, fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. For residents of River Rouge who work in manufacturing, healthcare, or service industries in Wayne County, a conviction can mean job loss, difficulty finding future employment, and challenges securing professional licenses. The penalties increase for repeat offenses or cases involving injury.

• Defense against charges involving prescription medications taken as directed
• Challenges to drug recognition expert observations and methodology
• Review of toxicology lab procedures and timing of blood draws
• Cross-examination of officers regarding improper stops or weak probable cause in River Rouge
• Focus on disproving impairment beyond reasonable doubt, not just substance presence

Drugged driving cases are built on assumptions that often don't hold up under close examination. The presence of a substance doesn't equal impairment, and a DRE evaluation isn't a definitive medical diagnosis. If you're facing these charges in River Rouge, a defense that questions the evidence, exposes procedural gaps, and focuses on reasonable doubt can lead to reduced charges or dismissal. Get in touch to review your case and build a strategy based on the facts, not assumptions.