Medical Conditions In St. Louis DWI Cases
Before an officer arrests a driver on suspicion of DWI, he or she must have probable cause to believe that the person is intoxicated. To reach that conclusion, the officer will make observations regarding the driver’s general demeanor, speech, ability to perform field sobriety tests and other factors. But certain medical conditions can interfere with a driver’s ability to perform field sobriety tests or mislead the officer into thinking that the driver is impaired when the driver is not.
If you have been arrested and have a medical condition that may have misled the arresting officer to believe that you were intoxicated, it may be possible to obtain a dismissal of the charge or reduction to a nonalcohol driving offense. You should speak with a DWI defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Medical Considerations In A DWI Case
Many medical conditions can result in behavior that mimics symptoms of alcohol impairment. Some of these include:
- Hypoglycemia — Diabetics often suffer a drop in blood sugar levels, causing slurred speech, confusion and unsteadiness on their feet.
- Seizure — A person who has suffered a seizure while driving may exhibit slurred speech, confusion, unsteadiness or combativeness. The driver may not be able to communicate this fact to the officer.
- Inner ear problems — This condition may interfere with the driver’s ability to perform field sobriety tests such as the one-leg stand and the walk and turn.
- Concussion or post-concussive syndrome — A person who has suffered a concussion may appear confused or speak in a slow or slurred manner.
- Drugs — Consumption of some over-the-counter and prescription drugs can cause drowsiness, slurred speech or unsteadiness.
A Comprehensive DWI Defense Effort
When he defends you, attorney Travis L. Noble will examine all of the facts and consider all possible defense strategies. This will include medical conditions you suffer from that may have made it appear that you were intoxicated. If a viable defense strategy exists, Mr. Noble will find it.
Free Consultation With A St. Louis DWI Defense Lawyer
Contact Travis Noble, P.C., to schedule a free consultation about a DWI case in Missouri. Call 314-450-7849.