WEBVTT

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Charged with drug-impaired

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driving in California?

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A prescription or legal

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cannabis does not excuse

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impaired driving.

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Check your court papers and any

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license notice promptly, and

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get legal help.

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For the usual drug-impaired

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driving charge, prosecutors

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must prove that you drove and

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were under the influence at the

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time.

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The issue is whether the drug

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impaired your ability to drive

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with ordinary care, not simply

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whether you had used it.

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You are presumed innocent.

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A drug test matters, but a

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lawyer should assess it

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alongside the driving,

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observations and other

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evidence.

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This video cannot decide

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whether that burden is met in

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your case.

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California law expressly says

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that being legally entitled to

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use a drug is not a defense

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to driving under its influence.

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Prescription medicines,

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over-the-counter products and

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cannabis can all matter.

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Keep the prescription,

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packaging, directions and a

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factual record of what you took

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and when.

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Give those records to your

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lawyer.

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Ask your clinician or

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pharmacist about driving

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effects and interactions;

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do not change prescribed

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treatment on the strength of

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this video.

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Keep every citation, release

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paper and notice.

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Preserve original dashcam

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footage, relevant messages and

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witness contact details before

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they disappear.

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Write a factual timeline while

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events are fresh.

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Your lawyer can seek police

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reports, recordings and

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laboratory material, and assess

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the stop, testing procedure,

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sample handling and what the

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results actually show.

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Do not edit records or coach

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witnesses.

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A possible testing problem does

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not automatically make the case

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disappear.

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At the arraignment, the court

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explains the charges and your

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rights and addresses the next

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steps.

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If you cannot afford a lawyer,

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ask about appointed counsel.

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Obtain legal advice before

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pleading guilty or no contest,

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or giving up a time limit.

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Follow your release conditions

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and confirm when you must

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attend.

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A pending laboratory result

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does not cancel a court date.

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Keep court appointments

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separate from any license

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proceeding.

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Do not assume every

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drug-driving arrest produces

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the same immediate license

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suspension as an alcohol case.

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For an adult drug-only case

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without a refusal, the ordinary

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blood-alcohol administrative

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suspension does not apply just

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because drugs are alleged.

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But refusal, alcohol

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involvement or other DMV

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grounds can change the

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position,

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and a conviction can trigger

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suspension or revocation.

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Read any notice you receive and

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confirm your actual driving

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status.

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Never ignore an order because

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you think it was issued

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incorrectly.

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Required chemical testing after

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a lawful arrest is different

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from a preliminary roadside

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screening.

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A breath test may not finish

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the testing required in a drug

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case.

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A refusal allegation can bring

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separate license consequences,

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so get advice on the actual

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requests, warnings and any

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medical issue.

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If you receive a suspension

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notice, the usual deadline to

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request a hearing before it

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takes effect is ten days from

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receipt.

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A hearing request alone does

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not extend permission to drive.

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A conviction can mean fines, a

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treatment program, driving

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restrictions or suspension, and

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possible jail or prison

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consequences.

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The actual charge, prior

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history, injuries and other

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allegations matter.

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Do not apply an alcohol-only

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penalty chart to every drug

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case, or assume an ignition

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interlock device automatically

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restores your license.

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Ask for advice about the

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criminal sentence, DMV action

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and any employment or

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immigration effects before

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making decisions.

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First, collect the court and

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DMV papers, record the dates

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and confirm whether you may

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drive.

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Second,

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preserve the original evidence

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and your medication timeline

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without posting private details

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online.

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Third, arrange a California

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defense lawyer and clarify who

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will handle each proceeding.

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If you cannot afford counsel,

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raise that with the court.

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Use safe transport whenever

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your driving is impaired or

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your license does not permit

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it.

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Read the California answer and

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official sources at Legal

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Hotline dot com, with a hyphen

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between Legal and Hotline.

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Our United States number is on

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screen for free general legal

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information.

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Legal Hotline is an information

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service, not a law firm;

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lawyer matching is separate.