Driving Under the Influence does not just mean driving under the influence of alcohol. Driving under the influence of drugs (including legal prescription drugs) is illegal in Illinois. Although central nervous system stimulants such Cocaine, Crystal Meth and Dexedrine speed up the operation of the brain and spinal cord, they do not improve or enhance the performance of the brain and spinal cord. They cause the brain and nervous system to work harder but not better. In fact, because the brain and nervous system are working in over-drive, they are more prone to mistakes. Cocaine, Crystal Methamphetamine and Benzedrine significantly increase the heartbeat, respiration and blood pressure of the user. Stimulants can all cause nervousness, irritability and an inability to concentrate and think clearly.
Cocaine, Methamphetamine and pharmaceutical amphetamines such as Dexedrine, Benzedrine and Adderall all produce euphoria, or a felling that there are no problems. They may also cause a feeling of super strength and absolute self-confidence. With Cocaine, unlike meth and amphetamines, there is an anesthetic effect. Central nervous system stimulants tend to release the user’s inhibitions and impair the user’s ability to perceive time and distance. People under the influence of Cocaine, Crystal-Meth or other “speed” drugs can become easily confused and lose the ability to concentrate or to think clearly for any length of time.
In general, Cocaine is a fairly fast acting, but a short duration drug. When snorted, the user generally feels the onset within about 30 seconds and feels the effects for about 30-90 minutes. Because the high is relatively short lived and depending on the time of ingestion, the arresting officer may not be able to visually observe the effects on the user by the time the arrestee is brought into the station. Unless the arresting officer has been certified as a Drug Recognition Expert (and there are only a handful in and around Chicago) he cannot give an opinion based upon his observations. So the only way the prosecution can prove their case against you is if you provide the evidence to them. If you don’t submit to a blood or urine test and if you assert your 5th Amendment right to remain silent, chances are they can’t convict you. Any experienced Chicago DUI lawyer should be able to secure a not-guilty.
Methamphetamine is also a fairly fast acting drug and its effects are very similar to Cocaine’s. The effects, however, last far longer.
When a person is under the influence of drugs such as Cocaine, Methamphetamine or Benzedrine the user’s pupils are dilated and react slowly to light. The user’s pulse rate, blood pressure and body temperature are all elevated. Stimulants also cause rigid muscle tone. If you are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs by a Drug Recognition Expert, he will want to check your vital signs and your muscle tone and will ask you to submit to standardized field sobriety tests. Again, you have the right to refuse. And again, if you don’t hand them the evidence, it unlikely you can be found guilty of the charge.
If you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence, you need an aggressive, experienced DUI lawyer in Chicago. Erickson & Oppenheimer, Ltd. have been winning DUI’s for over 20 years.