If you’re driving home from visiting your Benton physician and you have taken a dose of prescribed Adderall, it’s possible that you could face charges of driving under the influence — even though the prescription is legal and appropriate and taken in the proper dosage. Adderall is a stimulant that can have side effects, according to WebMD, that include confusion, slurred speech and other effects that might well indicate to Kentucky law enforcement officers that you are impaired.
You can then be taken into custody, charged and face criminal consequences as if you had been arrested while driving drunk.
If you face criminal penalties for having driven while taking prescribed medications, it is an excellent time to contact an attorney experienced in defending clients in similar circumstances. You undoubtedly don’t consider yourself a criminal, but you might well feel as if our system is treating you as one. A criminal defense attorney can guide you through what can be an intimidating and inhospitable system, helping you to make clear to prosecutors that your medical condition requires Adderall and thoughtful consideration as well.
In some situations, your attorney will be able to persuade prosecutors that the use of the prescribed medication was an oversight and that charges should be dropped. In other cases, your attorney will be able to negotiate a reduction of charges that will enable you to retain driving privileges. In still other situations, you might need to defend your liberty and privileges at trial.
The first step is to talk with your attorney and find out which options make the most sense for you in your circumstances.