Defense Against Drug-Related DUI Charges

Forrester Law provides defense for drugged driving DUI charges in Grosse Ile, Michigan, including challenges to toxicology testing and drug recognition expert evaluations.

When you are charged with DUI based on drug use in Grosse Ile, the prosecution relies on toxicology test results and the opinion of a drug recognition expert to prove impairment. These cases are more complicated than alcohol-related DUI charges because drugs affect people differently, and the presence of a substance in your system does not always mean you were impaired while driving. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and substances that remain in your body for days or weeks can all lead to a DUI charge, even when you were not impaired at the time of the stop.

Forrester Law challenges the reliability of blood and urine tests, which are subject to contamination, improper storage, and lab errors. The firm also scrutinizes the drug recognition evaluation process, which involves a series of physical and cognitive tests that are subjective and can be affected by medical conditions, fatigue, or anxiety. Your attorney cross-examines the drug recognition expert and the toxicologist to expose weaknesses in their conclusions. The focus is on disproving impairment beyond a reasonable doubt and protecting you from the severe penalties associated with drug-related DUI convictions.

If you are facing a drugged driving charge in Grosse Ile and need an attorney who understands how to challenge drug testing and expert testimony, contact Forrester Law to discuss your case.

Challenging Drug Testing and Expert Opinions

Forrester Law obtains the chain of custody records for your blood or urine sample, the lab report showing what substances were detected, and the qualifications of the drug recognition expert who evaluated you. In Grosse Ile, your attorney reviews whether the sample was properly labeled, stored at the correct temperature, and analyzed within the required time frame. If the sample was mishandled or if the lab failed to follow testing protocols, your attorney files a motion to exclude the test results from evidence.

After your attorney challenges the drug recognition expert's findings, you will see whether the prosecution can prove that you were actually impaired while driving. Many prescription medications and some controlled substances can be detected in your system long after their effects have worn off. Your attorney argues that the presence of a substance does not establish impairment and presents evidence that you were driving safely and following traffic laws at the time of the stop.

Forrester Law also represents clients whose DUI charges stem from legally prescribed medications. The firm argues that you were following your doctor's instructions and that the medication did not impair your ability to drive. This defense is particularly important when you take medications for chronic pain, anxiety, or other conditions that require ongoing treatment.

Answers to Your Questions About Drug DUI Cases

Clients charged with drugged driving often want to know how the prosecution proves impairment, whether prescription medications can lead to a conviction, and how toxicology tests are challenged in court.

Forrester Law represents clients in Grosse Ile facing drugged driving DUI charges who need an attorney prepared to challenge toxicology testing, drug recognition evaluations, and expert testimony. Reach out to discuss your case and your defense options.

What is a drug recognition expert and what do they do?
A drug recognition expert is a law enforcement officer trained to identify drug impairment through a series of physical and cognitive tests. Forrester Law challenges the expert's conclusions by questioning whether the tests were administered correctly and whether medical conditions or other factors could explain your performance.
How accurate are toxicology tests for drug-related DUI cases?
Toxicology tests can be unreliable if the sample was not properly stored, if the lab did not follow testing protocols, or if the test cannot distinguish between active impairment and residual presence of a substance. Your attorney reviews the lab's procedures and the chain of custody to identify errors that undermine the test results.
What if I was taking prescription medication as directed by my doctor?
Taking prescription medication does not automatically make you guilty of DUI. Forrester Law argues that you followed your doctor's instructions and that the medication did not impair your ability to drive safely at the time of the stop.
Why does the timing of the drug test matter?
Blood and urine tests are often conducted hours after your arrest, and some drugs metabolize quickly while others remain in your system for days. Your attorney challenges whether the test results reflect your level of impairment at the time you were driving, not hours later.
What are the penalties for a drugged driving DUI conviction?
Penalties are similar to those for alcohol-related DUI and can include fines, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory treatment programs. Forrester Law works to reduce these penalties by challenging the evidence of impairment and negotiating for alternative sentencing when appropriate.