Although you should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, the sad reality is that many police officers approach those who are suspected of drunk driving as if they’re guilty. As a result, many drivers are put in a position where they are trying to prove their sobriety instead of officers trying to prove their intoxication. This oftentimes leads to allegations of criminal wrongdoing and DWI charges.
But what if your medical condition came into play?
In a lot of cases, police officers base their conclusions of intoxication on failed field sobriety tests and observations of a driver’s behavior. Yet, there may be many legal explanations for an individual’s alleged intoxicated state. In fact, each of the following medical conditions have been shown to cause an individual to exhibit symptoms that may be mistakenly read as intoxication:
- Diabetes, which can cause disorientation and even the scent of alcohol
- Stroke, which may cause slurred speech and comprehension difficulties
- Epileptic seizures that may cause you to appear disoriented and unresponsive following a car accident
- Alzheimer’s and dementia, which can result in irritability, trouble understanding, and difficulty following directions
Building your criminal defense
If you’ve been charged with a drunk driving offense that you think is attributable to your medical condition, then now is the time to start building your criminal defense. You’ll need medical records documenting your condition and maybe even expert testimony that can verify that your medical condition caused your behavior that subsequently led to your arrest.
These medical-related cases aren’t always as straightforward as they may seem, though. That’s why if you want to protect your future as fully as possible, then you may want to think about working closely with a strong legal advocate as you build your legal strategy. Fortunately, there are attorneys who stand ready to help.