DUI with Drugs Attorney in Gwinnett County

Experienced Defense For Drugged Driving Charges

A charge for driving under the influence of drugs can change your life in an instant. If you were arrested in Gwinnett County for a DUI with drugs offense, you are likely worried about court, your license, and your future. At Crawford and Boyle, LLC, we represent people in this situation regularly, and we know how stressful these cases feel.

Our attorneys bring over 50 years of combined criminal law experience to every case we handle, including drug-related DUI charges. Because our team includes former prosecutors, we understand how the state investigates and prosecutes DUI with drugs allegations and how these cases move through local courts. 

Don't let a drug-related DUI result in a six-month hard license suspension. Contact a DUI with drugs attorney in Gwinnett County at (678) 726-5400 or reach out online for a free consultation. Our former prosecutors are available 24/7 to begin your defense.

Understanding DUI with Drugs Laws in Georgia

Georgia’s DUI statute, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391, provides two primary pathways for the state to prosecute drug-related impairment. Unlike alcohol, where there is a clear "per se" limit of 0.08%, drug cases often fall into a more subjective legal territory.

DUI Less Safe (Drugs)

This is the most common charge for drug-related DUIs in Gwinnett County. The state does not need to prove a specific amount of a drug was in your system. Instead, they must prove that you were under the influence of any drug to the extent that it was "less safe" for you to drive. 

This can apply to:

• Illegal Substances: Such as marijuana, cocaine, or methamphetamine.
• Prescription Medications: Even if you have a valid prescription for a drug (like Xanax or Adderall), you can still be convicted if the medication rendered you incapable of driving safely.
• Over-the-Counter Drugs: Medications like Benadryl or sleep aids that cause drowsiness.

DUI Per Se (Controlled Substances)

This subsection makes it illegal to drive with any amount of a controlled substance or marijuana (including metabolites) in your blood or urine. While the Georgia Supreme Court has ruled that the state must still prove "less safe" impairment for marijuana, the presence of other illegal controlled substances can trigger a "per se" violation where the mere presence of the drug is the crime.

Combined Influence

Under subsection (a)(4), you can be charged for being under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. These cases are particularly scrutinized in Gwinnett County because the synergy between substances is often used by the state to explain erratic driving behavior.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of DUI with Drugs in Georgia

The penalties for a drug-related DUI conviction mirror those of alcohol DUIs but carry unique administrative hurdles regarding your driver’s license.

Criminal Penalties

• Jail Time: For a first offense, you face 10 days to 12 months in jail (often probated except for 24 hours). Subsequent offenses carry significantly higher mandatory minimums.
• Fines: Fines range from $300 to $1,000 for a first offense, plus substantial court surcharges.
• Probation: A mandatory 12-month term of probation, minus any time served in jail.
• Community Service: A minimum of 40 hours for a first offense.
• Clinical Evaluation: You must undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete any recommended treatment programs.

The "Hard" License Suspension

One of the most devastating aspects of a drug-related DUI conviction is the license impact. Unlike an alcohol DUI, where a first-time offender can often obtain an immediate limited driving permit, a conviction for DUI with drugs results in a six-month "hard" suspension with no permit available. 

This means you cannot drive to work, school, or medical appointments. A DUI with drugs attorney in Gwinnett County is essential to fighting for a reduction to a non-drug offense to save your driving privileges.

The Gwinnett County Process for Drug DUI Cases

Drug DUI cases in Gwinnett County move through a specific legal pipeline, often involving the State Court of Gwinnett County.

• The 30-Day Letter: Just like an alcohol DUI, you have 30 days from the date of arrest to request an ALS hearing. If the officer claims you refused a blood test, you face a one-year "hard" suspension of your license if you do not act.
• Arraignment: This is your formal charging. We typically enter a "not guilty" plea and demand the "discovery" (the evidence) from the Solicitor’s Office.
• The Lab Results Delay: Blood and urine tests are sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime lab. It often takes several months for these results to return, during which time your Gwinnett County DUI with drugs lawyer can begin investigating the circumstances of your arrest.
• Motions and Suppression: We challenge the DRE's evaluation. These officers follow a 12-step process that is frequently flawed. If the officer skipped a step or misinterpreted a physical sign (like pupil dilation), we fight to have their testimony excluded.
• Gwinnett County DUI Court: For repeat offenders, Gwinnett offers an Accountability Court. This is a rigorous, multi-phase treatment program. While it requires a significant commitment, it can serve as a meaningful alternative to extended jail time.

Our Comprehensive Approach to DUI with Drugs Defense

When you come to us for help with a DUI with drugs charge, we start by listening to your story and reviewing the official records. Every case is different, and even small details can influence the strategy we recommend. Our background as former prosecutors helps us evaluate how the state may view your file and which issues a prosecutor might focus on in court.

At Crawford and Boyle, LLC, we apply over 50 combined years of experience to challenge the "junk science" often associated with drug impairment cases.

• Challenging The Stop & Investigation: We carefully review whether the traffic stop and DUI with drugs investigation were legally justified, as any flaws in the stop or officer’s procedures can impact the use of evidence in court.
• Attacking the DRE Protocol: Most DRE officers are not medical professionals. We challenge their ability to distinguish between drug impairment and medical conditions, fatigue, or simple nervousness.
• Scrutinizing Lab Accuracy: The GBI lab handles thousands of samples. We look for errors in the "chain of custody," potential contamination, and the specific "cut-off levels" used for reporting positive results.
• The "Presence vs. Impairment" Defense: Many drugs, especially marijuana and certain prescriptions, stay in the system for days or weeks after use. We argue that the presence of a metabolite in your blood does not prove you were "less safe" at the time of the stop.
• Negotiating Reductions: Because we are former prosecutors, we know when a case is weak. We leverage those weaknesses to negotiate for a "Reckless Driving" reduction, which preserves your license and keeps a DUI off your record.

Why Work With Our DUI with Drugs Lawyer In Gwinnett County

Choosing the right lawyer for a DUI with drugs case in Gwinnett County requires more than general criminal defense. At Crawford and Boyle, LLC, our attorneys have experience on both sides of the courtroom—as former prosecutors and now as defenders. That perspective helps us understand how prosecutors build cases and how judges in the area typically handle drugged driving charges.

Since 2010, we have handled thousands of criminal cases across Gwinnett, Walton, and Clarke Counties. This experience covers cases involving illegal drugs as well as prescription medications, giving us insight into patterns, evidence issues, and potential weaknesses in each case. We use that knowledge to craft strategies tailored to each client’s situation.

Our team remains active in professional organizations, including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. Recognitions such as Superb Avvo Ratings and The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 reflect our focus on strong advocacy. We provide personal attention, review evidence, discuss goals, and prepare for trial or negotiation to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.

What To Do After A DUI with Drugs Arrest In Gwinnett County

The hours and days after a DUI with drugs arrest are often confusing. You may have paperwork from the jail, a court date, and information related to your driver’s license, all without clear instructions on what to do next. Taking a few key steps can help protect your rights while you decide how to move forward.

• Gather & Organize Your Documents: Keep all paperwork from your arrest, including citations, bond forms, property receipts, and any Georgia DDS forms, in one place. Pay attention to bond conditions, such as attending all hearings and staying in contact with the bonding company.
• Record What You Remember: Write down everything about the stop and arrest, including your location, why the officer stopped you, questions asked, tests requested, and any medical or prescription information. Timing and details can be crucial later.
• Be Careful What You Say: Avoid discussing the case with friends, law enforcement, prosecutors, or insurance companies without a lawyer. Confirm basic information if necessary, but do not explain your side of the story on your own.
• Pay Attention to License Deadlines: Driver’s license deadlines may be strict, depending on tests taken or refused. Have a lawyer review all documents promptly to understand deadlines and next steps.

Talk With A Lawyer About Your DUI with Drugs Case

If you or someone you care about is facing a DUI with drugs here, you do not have to navigate the system alone. Our attorneys bring decades of combined criminal law experience, former prosecutor insight, and a deep understanding of this county’s courts to every case. We will listen to your concerns, review the evidence, and help you understand the choices in front of you.

We offer free consultations, virtual appointment options, and a phone line that is answered 24 hours a day. To talk directly with our team about your DUI with drugs case, call (678) 726-5400 or reach out online now.