Did Your Medical Condition Lead to Your Dui Arrest?

Even though you’re considered innocent until proven guilty, the police are going to think the worst of you when they see something that they think is indicative of criminal wrongdoing. This is often seen in the context of alleged drunk driving, where the police automatically assume that slurred speech or unsteady balance is conclusive of intoxication and drunk driving.

Drunk driving allegations and medical conditions

But if you’re reading this blog post, then you suspect that there are other factors that may contribute to signs of intoxication outside of intoxication itself. And it’s true that there may be other factors in play in your case, including a medical condition. In fact, any of the following may lead to symptoms that are misinterpreted as intoxication:

• Diabetes: Diabetics who suffer from hypoglycemia can present with slurred speech, poor balance and coordination, and even confusion.
• Seizure disorders: A driver who suffers a seizure and subsequently gets in an accident may seem to be driving in an erratic fashion similar to a drunk driver, but it may have just been a real accident attributable to a medical emergency. Making matters worse is that those with one of these disorders can appear confused or disoriented after suffering a seizure, which can further the impression that intoxication was a contributing factor to the accident.
• Problems with the inner ear: The inner ear affects our balance. So, if there’s an issue with your inner ear, then you may have trouble successfully passing field sobriety tests.

Know how to protect your interests

Remember that these are just some of the medical conditions that may lead to a DUI charge. So, if you’re being accused of criminal wrongdoing, then you should discuss the circumstances of your case with an aggressive attorney to best determine your course of action. After all, you might have a strong argument to avoid the harsh penalties that are oftentimes associated with these kind so charges.