DWI & Drug Intoxication in San Antonio

You have seen prescription-warning labels telling you not to use alcohol with the medication in the bottle. That warning can cause legal liability if you disregard it. Some medications such as Xanax cause the effect of alcohol to increase intoxication. Certainly, opioids of all kinds do the same. Other illegally used drugs such as cocaine will cause individuals to become more intoxicated than usual, and in some instances – they will cause individuals to become unaware of their behavior while they are ostensibly conscious. These are dangerous situations for drivers, and it may be a shock to readers here to know that this situation is more common than one might care to believe.

Thus, DWI includes drug intoxication whether that drug is prescription or illegal. Intoxication may include a combination of drugs, legal and/or illegal, and it may include a combination of drugs, legal and/or illegal with alcohol. The police will get blood tests and have a laboratory test for drugs. There are toxicological guidelines for what level of the particular substance in the blood is considered intoxication. The prosecution will use the lowest number. That is, they use the lowest amount in the particular method or system of calculation for intoxication.

However, the testing process itself can be put on trial. For example, methamphetamine reacts with alcohol to cause greater intoxication. Nevertheless, there are two types of methamphetamine: l-methamphetamine (legal – L-methamphetamine is found in Vicks® inhalers) and d-methamphetamine (illegal). These molecules are always together, and the proportion of the molecule determines intoxication. Therefore, the laboratory must separate these molecules in order to determine intoxication. Most laboratories, including DPS and Bexar County, do not have the correct equipment to do this.

Legal Consequences and the Importance of Defense

A DWI charge involving drug intoxication carries severe penalties in Texas, including hefty fines, license suspension, mandatory education or treatment programs, and even jail time. The stakes are high, especially when a conviction could lead to a permanent criminal record, increased insurance rates, and long-term damage to your personal and professional reputation.

Given the complexities involved in drug-related DWI cases—such as the nuances of toxicology reports and the specific legal thresholds—it's crucial to have experienced legal representation. A skilled DWI attorney can challenge the validity of the blood tests, question the procedures used by law enforcement, and scrutinize the laboratory methods. These defense strategies can be pivotal in reducing charges, obtaining a favorable plea deal, or even having the case dismissed.

Get started today by contacting me online or call (210) 405-9730 today.