Home » DUI / Drunk Driving » Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID)

Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID)

While a majority of driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in Florida involve alleged offenders having their normal faculties impaired by alcoholic beverages, state law also prohibits people from driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of a chemical substance or controlled substance. Driving under the influence of drug offenses is commonly abbreviated as DUID or simply referred to as “drugged driving.”

Unlike alcohol-related DUI offenses in which there is more scientific consensus regarding the amount of alcohol that can cause possible impairment, controlled substances—whether they are illegal drugs or lawful prescription medications—remain far from a settled debate. If a driver tests positive for a controlled substance in his or her blood or urine, the presence of an illegal drug not necessarily mean that the person was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the alleged offense.

Attorney for Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID) Arrests in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Were you arrested in Broward County for an alleged drugged driving offense? Do not say anything to authorities until you have first contacted Meltzer & Bell.

Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyers Lawrence Meltzer and Steven Bell represent clients charged with DUI crimes in numerous communities throughout South Florida, including Hollywood, Margate, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, and many others. You can have our attorneys review your case and discuss all of your legal options when you call (954) 765-6585 to receive a free initial consultation.

Broward County Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID) Information Center

When can a person be charged with drugged driving in Florida?
How are DUID offenses classified?
Where can I find more information about DUID in Broward County?

Florida Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID) Charges

Florida Statute § 316.193 states that one of the ways a person commits the offense of DUI if he or she is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle within Florida and is under the influence of any chemical substance or any controlled substance when affected to the extent that the person’s normal faculties are impaired. If a police officer in Florida suspects that a motorist is operating while under the influence but tests or other evidence indicate that the alleged offender is not intoxicated by alcoholic beverages, the officer will often summon for a drug recognition expert (DRE).

A DRE is a police officer who has been trained to determine whether an alleged offender is under the influence of a controlled substance as well as the type of controlled substance that the alleged offender might have used. DREs follow the same 12-step protocol evaluation, which includes:

Breath alcohol test;

Interview of the arresting officer;

Preliminary examination and first pulse;

Eye examinations;

Divided attention psychophysical tests;

Vital signs and second pulse;

Dark room examinations;

Examination for muscle tone;

Check for injection sites and third pulse;

Subject’s statements and other observations;

Analysis and opinions of the evaluator; and

Toxicological examination.

The biggest problem with these evaluations is that by having a DRE speak to the arresting officer before conducting a majority of the required tests, the ensuing examinations often serve only to confirm the beliefs of the arresting officers. Furthermore, DREs rarely have the advanced knowledge to understand medical conditions that may be misinterpreted as a person being under the influence of a controlled substance.

One of the primary issues with alleged DUID offenses concerns the results of drug tests that alleged offenders submit to. Even when a person tests positive for a controlled substance, the original consumption may have been several hours, days, or even weeks before the traffic stop. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average detection times of some controlled substances are as follows:

Type of Drug	Detection Time
Amphetamine	Three days
Methamphetamine	Three days
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy, or Molly)	Two days
Diazepam	10 days
Flunitrazepam	Five days
Cocaine	One day
Fentanyl	Three days
Ketamine	Two days
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)	One day
Marijuana – Single Use	Three days
Marijuana – Moderate Use (multiple times per week)	Five days
Marijuana – Heavy Use (daily)	10 days
Marijuana – Chronic Heavy Use	30 days
Methadone	Seven days
Codeine	Three days
Hydrocodone	Three days
Oxycodone	Three days
Morphine	Three days
Phencyclidine (PCP)	Eight days

Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID) Penalties in Broward County

DUID Penalties

A conviction for drugged driving carries many of the same penalties as an alcohol-related DUI offense. Prior convictions for alcohol-related DUI offenses can be counted against an alleged offender accused of drugged driving, and individuals could face the following charges, depending on their prior convictions:

First Offense — Second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000;

Second Offense in More Than Five Years — First-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000;

Second Offense Within Five Years — First-degree misdemeanor punishable by a minimum of 10 days up to nine months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000;

Third Offense in More Than 10 Years — First-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000;

Third Offense Within 10 Years — Third-degree felony punishable by minimum of 30 days up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000; or

Fourth or Subsequent Offense — Third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of at least $2,000.

Florida Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID) Resources

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) | Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) — The DECP program originated with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in the early 1970s when LAPD officers noticed a significant number of individuals arrested for DUI had very low or zero alcohol concentrations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated pilot programs in four other states in 1987 before NHTSA and the IACP expanded the program. On this website, you can find state coordinators for the DECP, learn more about how DREs become certified, and read answers to frequently asked questions.

DrugFacts: Drugged Driving | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — NIDA is a federal government scientific research institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is “to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health.” On this section of the NIDA website, you can learn more about the dangers of drugged driving, how many people drive under the influence of drugs, and why it is difficult to determine how often drugged driving causes motor vehicle crashes.

Meltzer & Bell | Fort Lauderdale Driving Under Influence of Drugs (DUID) Defense Lawyer

If you were arrested anywhere in South Florida for an alleged drugged driving offense, it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Meltzer & Bell defends individuals in Weston, Wilton Manors, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Tamarac, and many surrounding areas of Broward County.

Lawrence Meltzer and Steven Bell are experienced criminal defense attorneys in Fort Lauderdale who can fight to possibly get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed. Call (954) 765-6585 or fill out an online contact form today to have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free, confidential consultation.