Fighting Drugged Driving Charges in Illinois

 Posted on March 06, 2019 in DUI

Many people think DUI indicates that a person was driving under the influence of alcohol. However, the law is broader than that and can encompass people who are under the influence of alcohol, and/or drugs. In this article, we are going to discuss a lesser known type of DUI charge in Illinois – the drugged driving charge.

What is a Drugged Driving Charge?

Drugged driving is a type of DUI that indicates the driver was under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs while driving. In Illinois (according to 625 ILCS 5/11-501), a person can be charged with a DUI by doing any of the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Driving under the influence of prescription drugs
• Driving under the influence of illegal drugs
• Driving under the influence of any intoxicating compound

Proving Drugged Driving Charges

When it comes to DUIs involving drugs, there is a distinction made between driving under the influence of illegal drugs, and driving under the influence of prescription drugs. In order to convict a person of an illegal drug DUI charge, the state simply needs to prove that the defendant was under the influence of illegal drugs at the time of driving.

Prescription drug DUI charges are a lot more complicated. In a prescription drug DUI case, the state needs to prove that the prescription drugs the driver was taking rendered them incapable of safely operating the vehicle.

Get a Free Initial Consultation

If you are facing a legal issue, don’t do it alone. Consult with an attorney in your area who can help guide you through the legal process and defend your rights every step of the way! At Appelman Law we provide representation for both criminal and civil matters. Regardless of what legal troubles you are facing, we can help. Contact our Illinois attorneys today to set up your free initial consultation. Our office is located in Naperville, IL but we serve the entire Chicago area.