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Slurred speech doesn’t necessarily mean intoxication

On Behalf of | Nov 11, 2022 | DUI

As soon as you passed your driving test you realized that being on the roads is a huge responsibility. You take this very seriously and go out of your way to be a conscientious driver. Unfortunately, you’ve been pulled over, and law enforcement is accusing you of being intoxicated.

You haven’t had a drink of alcohol in days so you know that you can’t be under the influence. It’s possible that you may be suffering from some of the following health conditions.

Transient ischemic attacks

The symptoms of major strokes are often obvious. These include drooping on one side of the face, severe headaches, double vision and difficulty with motor functions. However, not all strokes are major. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), otherwise known as “mini-strokes” can produce symptoms of slurred speech that often come and go. Because the symptoms of these attacks are not always present, you may not even realize that you’ve been ill. TIAs are genuine health issues which you should not face criminal penalties for.

Migraines

When you set off in your vehicle you felt fine. Sometime later, you felt a headache coming on, so you decided to look for the next safe place to pull over. Sadly, police officers got to you first and stopped you. Upon conversing with you, they noticed that your speech was slurred and proceeded to arrest you for driving under the influence. Slurred speech is fairly common with migraines and having a migraine is not something you should be penalized for criminally.

You have a presumption of innocence, and valid health issues are no reason to face charges. Seeking some legal guidance will help you to present an effective defense strategy in your case.

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