f you believe the only way to be charged with a DUI in Los Angeles is to consume alcohol and drive, you are mistaken. This is a common belief, and it causes many people to fail to make good decisions when they get behind the wheel of a car. A DUI in LA can be a charge you’re given if you never even consume a drink before driving. DUI is not just alcohol-related. It also includes driving under the influence of drugs. Before you think you’re in the clear because you don’t drink and drive and you don’t use drugs, think again. There are many stipulations to this rule. It’s helpful if you have a Los Angeles DUI lawyer at this important stage in life.

Driving Under the Influence

Drugs and alcohol are both problematic if you’re driving in LA, but it’s not the only thing that can cause you to be arrested for DUI. You can be arrested and charged with DUI if you are driving under the influence of a drug you’ve been prescribed by your doctor. Think about the side effects on that prescription bottle your doctor gave you for an illness or to recover from childbirth or surgery. It probably states you cannot operate heavy machinery.

Those who rely heavily on prescription drugs are mostly aware they have limitations when it comes to their ability to drive. They plan their doses around their driving schedule, and many people seek their doctor’s opinion on alternative medications so they can avoid spending so much time taking meds and being unable to drive.

Others don’t realize just how much their medication affects them. For example, if you are not feeling well and you go to the doctor, your doctor might write you a prescription. Not all prescription drugs affect you to the point you can’t drive, but some do. On the same note, sometimes you might take more than one medication at a time without realizing you will be affected by it. Let’s say you are sick and you take an over-the-counter medication to help fight the illness so you feel better. You recently suffered an injury and you’re taking some medication for that prescribed by your doctor.

You’ve taken each medication before, and you know you’re not negatively affected by it. However, you have no idea how much it’s going to affect you when you’re taking them together. You didn’t know you couldn’t take both together, and you drive to work. You’re pulled over because your driving is erratic, and you’re charged with a DUI. You didn’t realize this would happen, you didn’t have any intent to harm anyone or drive under the influence. However, you’re being charged with this crime.

Call An Attorney

The only thing you can do when this happens is call an attorney. Being charged with a DUI is a serious crime that comes with serious penalties. You could be sentenced to jail time, you could lose your license, and you could be forced to pay expensive fines. You had no idea you were driving under the influence, and you certainly had no idea you would be arrested for something like this.

An attorney can help you with your case. In most instances, the best defense in this situation is the truth. You simply did not know you were putting anyone at risk, you didn’t know you were doing anything wrong, and you didn’t know this effect was possible. An attorney handling your DUI can argue this is a learning experience for you. We can help you find a way to reduce or have your charges dropping completely so you don’t suffer such serious consequences.

It’s entirely possible to be charged with a DUI in LA without ever drinking anything or taking drugs. It’s possible for anyone to end up with a DUI charge when they take anything that’s prescribed by a doctor, or even if you take your medication incorrectly without realizing the effect it might have. If you are arrested and charged with a DUI for this, you should call an attorney to help you with your situation. It’s the best way to ensure you are getting the kind of help you need to fight your case when you didn’t know what you were doing.