If convicted of impaired driving in Georgia, you can expect harsh consequences like hefty fines and loss of driving privileges. You might think driving under the influence of something other than alcohol is less worrisome, especially since there are no field tests for drug impairment.
However, a zealous Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officer can step in and arrest you for driving while impaired by drugs, alcohol or both.
What is a DRE officer?
It is a specially trained law enforcement officer who can identify drivers impaired by drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. Valdosta has a DRE officer on staff, certified to conduct evaluations and determine the category of drugs causing impairment.
When a driver is suspected of drug impairment, a DRE officer is called to the scene and conducts a standardized evaluation. The process includes sobriety tests, interviews and a physical examination. The officer makes a determination based on the observed signs and symptoms.
Legal implications
If impairment is identified, the driver may face an arrest on DUI charges, even if sober. However, DRE officers do not always get things right and their mistakes can cause lasting and costly problems for those arrested.
A few years back, one decorated Georgia DRE showed a pattern of arresting motorists for driving while impaired by cannabis. It was later discovered they had no cannabis in their system. Unfortunately, the damage was done – one of them lost their license to serve alcohol and suffered other monetary losses.
If arrested for drug impairment on the evaluation of a DRE officer, do not assume you have no recourse. Instead, speak to someone who can help you challenge the credibility of the DRE officer’s evaluation and their methods.