At one time or another, most adults have had a prescription medication that had a warning on the label that the user should not drive or operate heavy machinery. That’s an excellent warning that should be paid attention to. However, it’s also a warning that many people ignore. Under Texas law, a person is prohibited from driving while taking drugs, including controlled substances that a person is legally entitled to use, according to a Drug Attorney in Rockwall TX.
What is a Controlled Substance?
Under Federal law, a controlled substance is a drug with the potential for dependence or abuse. There are five “schedules” of controlled substances.
1. Schedule 1 includes the most dangerous drugs, such as heroin, marijuana, peyote and “Ecstasy”. These drugs have no legal medical use in the U.S.
2. Schedule 2 covers drugs with a high likelihood of physical or psychological dependence, such as methadone, codeine and OxyContin®.
3. Schedule 3 are not considered as dangerous, but still have the potential for dependency. This would include Tylenol with Codeine® and anabolic steroids such as Depo®.
4. Schedule 4 drugs are not as likely to be abused and include common drugs such as Xanax®, Soma® and Valium®.
5. Schedule 5 drugs have the lowest potential for abuse; primarily, these are medications containing small amounts of a narcotic. This would include cough medicines such as Robitussin AC®.
What Happens if You are Stopped or Get in an Accident While Taking a Legal Prescription Medication on the Controlled Substance List?
You’re in trouble and should immediately call a Drug Attorney in Rockwall TX. The fact that all you took was your legal prescription medication is not considered an acceptable defense. You will be arrested and charged under the drugged driving law. A first offense could include a $2,000 fine, a jail term up to 180 days, community service, a one year suspended license as well as a surcharge of as much as $2,000 a year for up to three years. If someone was hurt in an accident, the penalties could be very severe.
Tim Hartley is an experienced Drug Attorney in Rockwall TX who understands the panic that someone would feel in this circumstance. He will work hard to make the defense process as stress-free as possible. Anyone in the Rockwall, TX area who has been arrested for DUI or DWI should contact the Law Offices of Tim Hartley right away. The clock is ticking
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