Philadelphia Ambien DUI Lawyers
Many Philadelphia residents struggle with sleep disorders. These can be chronic issues or situation based. Adults who have difficulty sleeping may seek medical treatment in an effort to resolve the problem as a lack of sleep, for whatever reason, can lead to exhaustion and fatigue and can impact every area of your life.
Ambien and Lunesta are commonly prescribed medications for sleep disorders. When used as directed it can help those who battle insomnia. If Ambien is not used as directed, is used in conjunction with other drugs and or alcohol, it can end disastrously for you. Ambien can induce something similar to a blackout. Both Ambien and Lunesta are sedatives-hypnotics and can cause users to sleep walk. In some cases, the user may sleep drive which can end in an Ambien induced DUI.
If you have been charged with driving while under the influence of Ambien in the Philadelphia area you should speak with a skilled and experienced Ambien DUI Defense Lawyer.
Ambien And Sleep Driving
With Ambien being a hypnotic you may not recall the events that follow after you ingest it. Some people take Ambien and attempt to stay awake to feel the short lived buzz that precedes the blackout. Other people may take Ambien as directed, which involves taking it once you are in bed, and may wake up and unknowingly ‘sleep drive’.
Penalties For Ambien DUI Conviction In Philadelphia
A DUI conviction can disrupt your life now and in the future. This is true even if it is a first offense. Once convicted you will face:
- Possible jail time Heavy fines and court costs
- Loss of driving privileges
- Possible probation
- Possible community service
- Peripheral Charges In DUI Cases
If you were found with illegally obtained, black market or internet purchased Ambien, Lunesta or other drugs in the car at the time of the DUI arrest you will face additional charges related to the drugs such as drug possession and illegally obtained prescription medications. The penalties for these charges can be significantly more severe than the DUI charges and can involve fines, fees, community service and jail time.
Lastly, if you were belligerent during the time of arrest, or attempted to flee you may face resisting arrest charges. All of these will make an already bad situation much worse.
Ambien DUI Defense Strategies
The Food & Drug Administration maintains that due to Ambien’s effect any sleepwalking, sleep driving or any other acts due to ingesting Ambien (or Lunesta) may be considered involuntary acts. Involuntary acts due to a medication’s effects may serve as a defense in a Philadelphia DUI case.
On the contrary, if it is determined that other factors contributed to the DUI then the involuntary act defense may be negated and you will face any and all consequences associated with a regular DUI charge. Acts or behaviors that may nullify a sleep driving can be:
- Combining Ambien/Lunesta with alcohol or other drugs
- Exceeding the prescribed dosage
- Taking the drug while driving home prior to before going to bed
What Not To Do After A DUI Arrest
Do not run. Do not decide to not you to court and do not ignore this thinking that if enough time passes it will go away. It will not. Should you opt to not go to court or should you not fulfill any court ordered obligations associated with the arrest a bench warrant may be issued for your arrest. From then on, any interaction at all with the police such as a routine traffic stop, can and will result in you being taken into custody right then and there. Judges and prosecution will want to impose significantly more severe punishments due to the fact that you chose to ignore your charges.
Do the right thing and face your charges so that this entire ordeal will be behind you so that you can move on.
Call A Philadelphia DUI Defense Lawyer
Do not hesitate to contact the DUI Defense Attorneys at Jensen Bagnato, P.C. They have many years experience defending those accused of DUI, drugged driving, illegal prescription drug possession and other drug crimes in the Philadelphia area.
Areas of Expertise
Tell us how we can help.
Contact Us