Drugged Driving Defense Attorneys in Cleveland

Defending Drivers Charged with DUID

At Patituce & Associates, LLC, we are proud to fight on behalf of drivers who have been charged with drugged driving in Cleveland and throughout Ohio. With 70+ years of combined experience, you can trust our team to build an aggressive defense for your driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) case.

Don’t settle for less than the best. When you’re faced with a DUID charge, contact the drugged driving defense attorneys at Patituce & Associates, LLC. We are standing by at (440) 471-7784.

The Two Types of Drugged Driving Charges

While the police officer that pulls you over may just tell you that they are stopping you for suspicion of DUI / OVI, they may not get into the specifics. Aside from driving under the influence, you can also be stopped and charged with drugged driving. Even more specifically, though, Ohio recognizes two different types of drug-related OVI charges: “impaired” and “per se.”

An OVI impaired charge, often referred to as “the impaired charge,” implies that the drug noticeably impaired the driver’s actions, reactions, or mental processes. The prosecution must prove that you consumed a schedule drug and that it impaired your ability to operate a vehicle.

An OVI per se charge implies that you are guilty simply for having enough of the drug in your system. The drug doesn’t have to have impaired your ability to operate a vehicle to warrant a per se charge.

If you refuse a blood or urine test, you can only be charged with OVI impaired; if you take either test, however, and the result puts you over the allowed limit for the specific drug, you can be charged with both OVI impaired and OVI per se.

Prohibited Drug Levels in Ohio

Unlike alcohol, which has a legal limit of .08%, the allowed amounts of drugs or drug metabolites can vary based on the type of drug and the type of test conducted.

The specific per se limits for specific drugs are:

• Amphetamine: 100 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 500 nanograms per milliliter of urine

• Cocaine: 50 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 150 nanograms per milliliter of urine

• Heroin: 50 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 2,000 nanograms per milliliter of urine

• LSD: 10 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 25 nanograms per milliliter of urine

• Marijuana: 2 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 10 nanograms per milliliter of urine

• Methamphetamine: 100 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 500 nanograms per milliliter of urine

What Is A Super DUI in Ohio?

Typically, DUI is considered a super DUI if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is much higher than the legal limit of .08%; at least .17%. However, the term can also apply when operating a vehicle with high concentrations of drugs or other substances in the driver’s blood or urine.

Your BAC level can change based on the type of test you are asked to take, such as:

• Breath test

• Blood test

• Urine test

Award Winning Drugged Driving Defense Attorneys

When you decide to work with Patituce & Associates, LLC, you can trust that you’ve chosen excellence. We are committed to fighting on behalf of our clients to ensure the most ideal outcome.

Schedule your consultation with Patituce & Associates, LLC today by calling (440) 471-7784.