DUI of Drugs, or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, is a serious offense. It is similar to the charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, the more common form of DUI, and carries with it serious consequences. A charge of DUI of drugs can result from driving while under the influence of any drug or marijuana, including prescription drugs, whether legally prescribed to the defendant, or not.
VC 23152(e) – DUI of Drugs Charge
Driving under the influence of Drugs is a violation of the Vehicle Code 231452(e), which reads: “It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle.” It is very similar to driving under the influence of alcohol. One way that this charge differs from a regular “DUI” charge is that when an officer suspects the presence of drugs in someone's system, a breathalyzer test will not show drugs and a blood test will have to be ordered. Other evidence that can be used to charge someone with DUI of drugs includes the defendant's statements, behavior, and appearance.
What is DUI of Drugs?
California's legal definition of DUI of drugs is operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance, other than alcohol, that can affect your nervous system, brain, or muscles and includes illegal substances, prescriptions drugs, and even over the counter drugs, if they affect you to a significant degree. You are driving under the influence of drugs when you take drugs that impair you to the point that you are unable to drive like a sober person and, yet, you drive, anyway.
Penalties for DUI of Drugs
The penalties for DUI of Drugs is identical to the penalties of DUI of Alcohol. In most cases, DUI of Drugs is a misdemeanor, and the consequences can include:
- Driver's License Suspension
- Fines Up To $1,800 For A First Offense
- Possible Jail Sentence
- Probation Of Three To Five Years
Felony DUI of Drugs
DUI of Drugs can be filed as a felony, if:
- You have already had three DUI offenses.
- You have already been convicted of DUI, at least once.
- Your actions cause an accident that injures someone else.
A felony conviction of DUI of Drugs can carry more severe consequences than that of a misdemeanor DUI of Drugs.
Can I go to Jail for DUI of Drugs?
If you are operating a vehicle and driving erratically, you could be pulled over for a traffic violation. If the officer has reason to suspect that you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he or she will administer a field sobriety test. If the officer suspects the presence of alcohol in your system, you may be asked to take a breathalyzer test. If the officer suspects the presence of drugs in your system, you may be required to take a blood test, since drugs can not be detected by a breathalyzer.
You will likely be arrested for DUI of Drugs, if the officer thinks that drugs are making you unable to operate a vehicle in a safe way. Unlike a DUI of Alcohol charge, there is no legal threshold that has to be met in order to charge someone with DUI of Drugs. If a person is operating a vehicle in an unsafe manner, with any amount of drugs in their system whatsoever, then they can be charged with DUI of Drugs.
How to Get Out of Jail after DUI of Drugs
When you are arrested for DUI of Drugs, you'll be taken to a detention facility, or jail, and booked for your charges. This process can take several hours and includes taking a photo and fingerprints. Once you've been booked, you'll be assigned a booking number. You'll be allowed to make several phone calls. Use one of these phone calls to call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, to begin the process of getting you out of jail fast. Mr. Nice Guy and his team of licensed bail bondsmen will work hard to get you out of jail, as quickly as possible. When you call (844) 400-2245, have your name, location, and booking number ready for fastest service.
What Does a Bail Bondsman Do?
Once you've been arrested, you should be made aware of the amount of bail required in order to get out of jail, while you wait for your court appearances. Most counties have a bail schedule posted at each jail, or someone at the jail will be able to tell you what your bail amount will be. Bail is an amount of money that the court holds in order to ensure that you show up for your court appearances, trial, etc.
Often, a person will be charged with the most serious versions of the crimes in question, even though the charges may be reduced at a later time. This can result in a higher bail amount being required to get out of jail. If you can't afford the entire amount of bail in cash, you can use a bail bond company to post bail for you.
A bail bondsman, like Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, is a person who works with a bail bond agency and is licensed by the State of California to post bail on your behalf. They charge a fee for posting your bail that is a fraction of the cost of the full bail. The fee, usually 10% of the total cost of bail, is generally much easier for a defendant or their family pay, allowing them to get themselves or a loved one out of jail much faster.
Best Bail Bondsman in California
Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds in the number one bail bond company in Southern California. They have been featured on several national networks, including CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, and USA, among others. Nobody works faster to get you or your loved one out of jail. Mr. Nice Guy and his team of licensed bail bond agents are the best in the business when it comes to locating prisoners and getting them out of jail in a hurry. Call (844) 400-2245 to start the bail bond process. Have the name, birth date and booking number available when you call, to speed up the process, or start online.
How to Find Someone Who Has Been Arrested for DUI of Drugs
If you can't find the location of your incarcerated loved one, give Mr. Nice Guy a call to get the assistance you need using inmate searches. Toll-free help is easy to find at (844)400-2245. You can also locate someone using the online search tool available on our Free Inmate Search Page.
Best Rates on DUI of Drugs Bail Bonds in California
Mr. Nice Guy's licensed bail agents can process bail bonds for arrests throughout Southern California. Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds Inc. offers bail premiums as low as 7%* (the lowest bail bond rate allowed in California). No other bail bondsman can provide lower rates. Call now, or start the bail bonds process online.
Some bail bond companies require an annual premium on the anniversary of charges, but Mr. Nice Guy never does that. Once you've secured a bond through Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, there are no additional fees or recurring charges. Mr. Nice Guy will even work with you on establishing a payment plan for a bail bond, to help get yourself or a loved one out of jail when you're on a budget. It just doesn't get much nicer than that!
Other online services include free warrant checks and a direct link to the most Sheriff's Department databases.
If you need a bail bond in Southern California: if you want fast, private service at the best rates available; if you are looking for professional service, call Mr. Nice Guy toll free at (844)400-2245.
