DWI WITH DRUGS ATTORNEY IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

A DWI charge is serious, especially when drugs are involved. From your personal relationships to your professional reputation, every aspect of your life can be negatively impacted by an accusation of driving under the influence of drugs, as well as drug possession itself. That’s why it’s so important to trust a seasoned DWI defender in Kansas City.

Reach out to our firm as soon as possible following your arrest. As a DWI lawyer based in KCMO, our head attorney offers individuals throughout the area the collaborative, responsive, and aggressive representation they need to move past this moment. Set up a free consultation with our office today.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs in Missouri

In our state, it is unlawful to use drugs and operate a vehicle while impaired by them. Illegal drugs typically involved in a DWI charge include marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, and more. Your best chance at truly understanding—and truly fighting—a DWI charge is by reaching out to a lawyer.

Do Prescription Drugs Count?

In Kansas City and throughout Missouri, it’s not uncommon for individuals to be charged with a DUI/DWI for prescription drugs—even ones legally prescribed to them. If you’re found to be driving impaired in any way at all, no matter what drugs are found in your system, you could be facing real legal trouble. Prescription drugs that could cause impairment include:

• Antidepressants

• Sleeping pills

• Hydrocodone

• Decongestants

• Valium

• Antihistamines

• Other over-the-counter medications

Under Missouri law, the legal standards surrounding the consumption of prescription drugs that might determine whether a person is unfit to drive aren’t completely clear or well-defined. What is obvious, though, is that any time you use drugs that cause impairment while driving, you are not only breaking the law, but you are putting yourself at risk for drug possession and DUI/DWI charges. That’s why it’s so important to contact us. At Guilfoil Law Group, we can help you understand your situation, uphold your rights, and fight these damaging charges.

Steps to Take After Being Pulled Over For a DUID

With more than two decades of experience as a DUID defense lawyer in the KCMO area, our attorney is ready to help you seek a favorable result after an accusation or conviction of driving under the influence of drugs. If you’ve been pulled over, it’s important to follow these steps to help your case in the long run:

• Remain calm & collected—It’s entirely natural to feel nervous during a traffic stop. Try not to let it show too much. The police officer will be watching for signs of impairment, including how you hold yourself, both physically and emotionally.

  • Prepare to give your driver’s license & proof of insurance—Providing the officer with these materials is standard procedure. It’s best if you have all the necessary items ready to go ahead of time and know exactly where they are in your vehicle.

• You don’t need to answer every question—The officer may ask if you’ve been drinking or using drugs, and if so, how much. You should politely decline to answer while remaining cooperative in a general sense. Remember: you are being recorded (both audio and video) during this time. Your words and actions will be used against you later.

• Reach out to an attorney— After being pulled over, you need to contact us right away. You have rights, and we can help you protect them at every stage of the legal process.

How a Kansas City Attorney Can Help

Penalties for driving while under the influence of drugs may involve jail time, hefty fines, loss of license, and more. In fact, they’re the same penalties that come with a DUI. Just because the consequences are serious, though, doesn't mean your case is hopeless. An attorney can help.

At Guilfoil Law Group, we’ll work closely with you as we come up with legal strategies to fight your charges. For example, while Missouri laws may be clear on how much alcohol can be in a person's system without causing impairment, there are no clear standards set for drugs. We’ll use these laws to our advantage. Additionally, police officers need a substantial reason to pull you over—like weaving, running through a stoplight, or causing a wreck. Without a reasonable cause, your charges could be dismissed. We’ll use every resource at our disposal to put you in a position to seek the results you need.