Carmel Prescription Drug OWI Lawyer

Trusted Prescription Drug OWI Attorney in Carmel, IN

A Carmel prescription drug OWI lawyer can represent someone who is accused of operating a vehicle while impaired by prescription or controlled substances. These accusations can arise following a traffic stop, accident investigation, or chemical test indicating the presence of medications that allegedly impaired a person’s ability to drive safely.

There is often a substantial amount of evidence involved in prescription drug operating while intoxicated (OWI) allegations, including blood test results, officer observations, and legal issues related to lawful medication use. Blankenship Law, LLC, defends those in Carmel accused of criminal charges related to prescription drug impairment as well as other OWI-related offenses.

Hire a Prescription Drug OWI Lawyer

Blankenship Law, LLC, is a criminal defense law firm representing clients in Carmel and across Hamilton County. The attorneys at Blankenship Law, LLC, are former prosecutors who exclusively represent people charged with criminal offenses, including prescription drug OWI cases. 

Blankenship Law, LLC, handles first-time and multiple OWI charges, as well as prescription medication and controlled substance-related cases. Blankenship Law, LLC, offers strategic criminal defense representation and counsel through the legal process and provides free phone consultations for those in need of immediate legal advice following an arrest.

What Can Lead to a Prescription Drug OWI Arrest in Carmel?

An officer in Carmel may make an arrest for prescription drug OWI after observing driving behavior they suspect indicates the driver is impaired. The officer may pull over the driver for violations such as weaving between lanes, slow braking, speeding, driving too slowly, or being involved in an accident. Officers may stop drivers they suspect are disoriented, extremely tired, or otherwise appear unable to comply with requests during a roadside stop.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,11.7 million American age 16 or older drove while under the influence of illegal drugs in 2021. A separate study that tested 4,243 seriously injured drivers found 54% of drivers tested positive for alcohol or drugs between 2019 and 2021. OWI charges may still apply when the driver was taking a prescription medication legally prescribed to them.

How Blood Testing Is Used in Indiana Prescription Drug OWI Cases

Blood tests are often used as part of the investigation in Indiana prescription drug OWI cases, when law enforcement believes that a driver was operating a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances or medications other than alcohol. Blood tests may be used to determine whether prescription drugs, illegal substances, or a combination of both may be present in your system.

Nonetheless, the presence of medication in a driver’s blood does not automatically establish impairment at the time the vehicle was operated. In fact, certain drugs may still show up in a person’s system after the impairing effects have worn off. 

The defense strategy in a prescription drug OWI case in Indiana often hinges on issues such as the timing of the medication intake, the prescribed amount, and the precise procedures followed in both the blood draw and its subsequent laboratory examination.

Consequences Beyond Jail Time in an OWI Case

A prescription drug OWI charge can lead to consequences that go beyond the criminal sentence ordered by the court. Many people charged with OWI offenses are concerned about how a case can impact their employment, professional standing, educational pursuits, and insurance rates. A conviction can also impact commercial driver’s licenses or create disciplinary issues for people who work in licensed professions.

In some cases, an employer may run a background check that shows pending criminal charges or a conviction. Even first-time offenders with no prior criminal record may have their transportation, finances, and personal obligations impacted while a criminal case is pending in the Indiana court system.

FAQs

Can You Be Arrested for OWI if Your Medication Was Prescribed?

Yes, a person can be arrested for OWI in Indiana if a doctor lawfully prescribed the medicine. Indiana statutes are more concerned with whether the driver was under the influence while driving a vehicle instead of the illegal possession of the substance. 

Prescription medication for pain, anxiety, insomnia, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder could slow a person’s reaction time or judgment in specific instances. Officers will use driving patterns, field sobriety testing, and chemical testing to determine an arrest.

What Happens to Your Vehicle After a Prescription Drug OWI Arrest?

After a prescription drug OWI arrest, a vehicle is often towed and impounded while the driver is taken into custody for booking and testing procedures. Drivers may be liable for towing and storage fees before the car is released. 

Additionally, a police officer may sometimes perform an inventory search of the car after arrest. The details of the stop, arrest, and search protocols could potentially become legal issues in an Indiana prescription drug OWI case.

How Are Prescription Drug OWI Cases Prosecuted in Hamilton County?

Hamilton County prescription drug OWI cases often rely on a combination of chemical test evidence, officer testimony, and roadside investigation observations. Prosecutors may try to establish that the driver’s prescription drugs interfered with their safe driving ability pursuant to Indiana law.

Carmel cases are typically processed through the Hamilton County judicial system in Noblesville. Defenses can include challenging the testing methods, disputing the presence of impairment, or evaluating law enforcement’s adherence to proper legal protocol.

Why Does Early Legal Representation Matter After a Prescription Drug OWI Arrest?

An early defense is critical after a prescription drug OWI arrest because an investigator and prosecutors can begin their work right away. Police may examine chemical testing results and body camera videos, and witness statements, the day after an arrest. 

Drivers can also be on timelines for a license suspension proceeding or court date. An early discussion with a lawyer can help a driver better understand the allegations and potential problems with the traffic stop, testing, or evidence.

Contact a Carmel Prescription Drug OWI Lawyer

Accusations of prescription drug OWI may have an impact on a person’s liberty, driving privileges, employment, and reputation. Blankenship Law, LLC, counsels and represents those in Carmel who have been charged with these serious criminal offenses, as well as other OWI violations. 

Our former prosecutors know how Indiana prosecutors develop impaired driving cases and can offer attentive criminal defense representation throughout the legal proceedings. Schedule a consultation today to hire a prescription drug OWI lawyer.