In the United States, all citizens have the presumption of innocence. For criminal charges to stick, the prosecution must prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the offense occurred and the accused committed it.
In the case of drunk driving, the prosecution must show beyond all reasonable doubt that you were impaired. There are some health conditions that can mimic the symptoms of impairment, and you may be suffering from them without even realizing it. If you’re pulled over and officers see certain behaviors, you could be wrongly accused of drunk driving.
Outlined below are some of the more common health conditions that can be confused with impairment.
1. Diabetes
Your sugar levels greatly influence how you feel and behave. Diabetes can cause your sugar levels to either drop or potentially skyrocket. Low sugar levels could result in you losing your balance, slurring your speech and becoming disorientated. High blood sugar levels can make you behave completely out of character.
2. Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs)
TIAs are a form of mini-stroke that can cause symptoms that mimic impairment. Often, it takes a long time for individuals to realize that they have been suffering from this condition. Again, these attacks can cause a person to slur their speech and lose motor functions. If you’ve been pulled over when suffering a TIA, law enforcement could wrongly assume that you are under the influence.
When you’re suffering from health conditions you need medical assistance, not criminal charges. If you’re facing DUI charges after a traffic stop, having legal guidance behind you will help you to come up with a defense strategy.