Question for the resident lawyers.

[UGA12]

I have a co-worker that has had serious medical issues with his back including rods and such in his back. Well he has various prescriptions for pain as well as sleeping. The script for sleeping in ambien and the other night he took one and went to sleep about 9pm. He apparently got up around 11pm, put his dogs in his car and was going to the store for a reason that is still unclear to him. Apparently he left his wallet at home so he turned around and started back home(He assumes all this given where he was pulled over). He was pulled over for not dimming his lights and was later told he was swerving as well and then was asked had he had anything to drink. He told the officer he doesnt drink(which he doesnt) but that he had a doctors script for ambien and had taken one earlier in the day. He was immediately placed in cuffs and taken to the local hospital where he sat for a while waiting for them to draw blood. He then sat in county jail for 7 hours until released.
My question is what recourse does he have at this point. Just to make sure everyone understands this is a truly stand-up guy with zero criminal background and does not drink. He was clearly in an ambien "trance" or whatever the hell you want to call it as he had no recollection of the events before being pulled over. I am obviously no lawyer but I find it hard to believe it doesnt at least get reduced no?

 

[Terryray]

I recall reading this about Ambien "sleep-driving". I bet his doc informed him.

I recall reading this about Ambien "sleep-driving". I bet his doc informed him.

Ambien

NEWS: March 14, 2007

FDA warning on Ambien:

WASHINGTON - All known prescription sleeping pills may at times cause a bizarre behavior called sleep-driving, federal health officials warned Wednesday.

It is similar to sleepwalking, but while driving your car. Imagine getting up in the middle of the night and going for a drive, with no memory of doing so.

The Food and Drug Administration has more than a dozen reports would not say exactly how many cases of sleep-driving it had linked to insomnia drugs, but they believe many more case exist.

But because sleep-driving is so dangerous to the public the FDA ordered a series of strict new steps Wednesday. The makers of 13 sleep drugs must put warnings on their labels about two known serious side effects:

* Sleep-driving, along with other less dangerous complex sleep-related behaviors like making phone calls, fixing and eating food, and having sex while still asleep.

* Life-threatening allergic reactions, as well as severe facial swelling, both of which can occur either the first time the pills are taken or anytime thereafter.

 

[Nole]

I have a co-worker that has had serious medical issues with his back including rods and such in his back. Well he has various prescriptions for pain as well as sleeping. The script for sleeping in ambien and the other night he took one and went to sleep about 9pm. He apparently got up around 11pm, put his dogs in his car and was going to the store for a reason that is still unclear to him. Apparently he left his wallet at home so he turned around and started back home(He assumes all this given where he was pulled over). He was pulled over for not dimming his lights and was later told he was swerving as well and then was asked had he had anything to drink. He told the officer he doesnt drink(which he doesnt) but that he had a doctors script for ambien and had taken one earlier in the day. He was immediately placed in cuffs and taken to the local hospital where he sat for a while waiting for them to draw blood. He then sat in county jail for 7 hours until released.
My question is what recourse does he have at this point. Just to make sure everyone understands this is a truly stand-up guy with zero criminal background and does not drink. He was clearly in an ambien "trance" or whatever the hell you want to call it as he had no recollection of the events before being pulled over. I am obviously no lawyer but I find it hard to believe it doesnt at least get reduced no?

Not sure what it is about Ambien but it does create some sort of black-out period. I take one of those and man I don't remember shit!

I get a pill-splitter and take 1/2 of one just about everynight and it's not near as bad but I still don't remember some things.

It's sad but I gotta have them to get some sleep.

I feel for the guy as it is definitely true it creates black-outs even though your able to drive, get a bite to it, etc.


I hope they drop the charges.

:toast:

 

[Dice34]

I have a co-worker that has had serious medical issues with his back including rods and such in his back. Well he has various prescriptions for pain as well as sleeping. The script for sleeping in ambien and the other night he took one and went to sleep about 9pm. He apparently got up around 11pm, put his dogs in his car and was going to the store for a reason that is still unclear to him. Apparently he left his wallet at home so he turned around and started back home(He assumes all this given where he was pulled over). He was pulled over for not dimming his lights and was later told he was swerving as well and then was asked had he had anything to drink. He told the officer he doesnt drink(which he doesnt) but that he had a doctors script for ambien and had taken one earlier in the day. He was immediately placed in cuffs and taken to the local hospital where he sat for a while waiting for them to draw blood. He then sat in county jail for 7 hours until released.
My question is what recourse does he have at this point. Just to make sure everyone understands this is a truly stand-up guy with zero criminal background and does not drink. He was clearly in an ambien "trance" or whatever the hell you want to call it as he had no recollection of the events before being pulled over. I am obviously no lawyer but I find it hard to believe it doesnt at least get reduced no?

what happened with the dogs in that situation?

 

[UGA12]

what happened with the dogs in that situation?

Dogs were taken to the pound and the car was towed.

 

[Theismann]

Uga I am no laywer but have been in court numerous times:facepalm: He will have to have a attorney but from my experences they will go by what the blood work comes back as long as he has scripts for whatever comes back it will be thrown out :0074 what they check is drug levels in the blood what sux is having to hire a fuking attorney:SIB I had a friend that took ambien and got up in the middle of the nite went to is guarage where he has wood working equipment his wife woke up went to find him and he had sawed off 3 fingers and didnt even realize:scared it's like nole said ambien is some weird shit I want even take that shit and that is saying something:facepalm: GL to your friend this was just my 2 cents:0008

 

[hedgehog]

I take ambien regularly, not every night but when I need some sleep, I would have to agree I have gone hours and not realized what I have done or remember anything for 2 or 3 hour stretch:facepalm: best advice is take it and go to sleep, that shit makes you hungry too

hope your friend gets off with a slap on the wrist, he is telling the truth

 

[Cie]

I have a co-worker that has had serious medical issues with his back including rods and such in his back. Well he has various prescriptions for pain as well as sleeping. The script for sleeping in ambien and the other night he took one and went to sleep about 9pm. He apparently got up around 11pm, put his dogs in his car and was going to the store for a reason that is still unclear to him. Apparently he left his wallet at home so he turned around and started back home(He assumes all this given where he was pulled over). He was pulled over for not dimming his lights and was later told he was swerving as well and then was asked had he had anything to drink. He told the officer he doesnt drink(which he doesnt) but that he had a doctors script for ambien and had taken one earlier in the day. He was immediately placed in cuffs and taken to the local hospital where he sat for a while waiting for them to draw blood. He then sat in county jail for 7 hours until released.
My question is what recourse does he have at this point. Just to make sure everyone understands this is a truly stand-up guy with zero criminal background and does not drink. He was clearly in an ambien "trance" or whatever the hell you want to call it as he had no recollection of the events before being pulled over. I am obviously no lawyer but I find it hard to believe it doesnt at least get reduced no?

He's going to be fine. The truth will come out and charges will be reduced for sure. Well, at least if you lived in these parts. I actually have no idea about the court system in your area.

Tough situation, but the cops did the right thing. Driving under the influence of medication, even prescription meds that impair you, cannot be overlooked. Until they looked at his blood, they had no way of knowing if he was lying or not. He seems drugged to them, because he was drugged. Shit happens, he should just feel fortunate that he diddn't hurt anyone or himself.

 

[UGA12]

He's going to be fine. The truth will come out and charges will be reduced for sure. Well, at least if you lived in these parts. I actually have no idea about the court system in your area.

Tough situation, but the cops did the right thing. Driving under the influence of medication, even prescription meds that impair you, cannot be overlooked. Until they looked at his blood, they had no way of knowing if he was lying or not. He seems drugged to them, because he was drugged. Shit happens, he should just feel fortunate that he diddn't hurt anyone or himself.

I agree and have no problem with the arrest, but as you say I would think when the truth comes out the DA would use some common sense.
I really hope this goes well for him as he has already dealt with more things in 30 years of life then anyone should have to in three lifetimes.

 

[marine]

Depends on the state that it happens in. Some states consider DUI to include drugs, both prescription and illegal and are chargeable offenses.

Best lawyer up quickly.

 

[MadJack]

Depends on the state that it happens in. Some states consider DUI to include drugs, both prescription and illegal and are chargeable offenses.

Best lawyer up quickly.

That's true but this guy won't be charged with anything because of his record. Unless the judge is some kind of nut :0003

 

[MadJack]

Uga I am no laywer but have been in court numerous times:facepalm: He will have to have a attorney but from my experences they will go by what the blood work comes back as long as he has scripts for whatever comes back it will be thrown out :0074 what they check is drug levels in the blood what sux is having to hire a fuking attorney:SIB I had a friend that took ambien and got up in the middle of the nite went to is guarage where he has wood working equipment his wife woke up went to find him and he had sawed off 3 fingers and didnt even realize:scared it's like nole said ambien is some weird shit I want even take that shit and that is saying something:facepalm: GL to your friend this was just my 2 cents:0008

:mj07: :mj07:

 

[gardenweasel]

That's true but this guy won't be charged with anything because of his record. Unless the judge is some kind of nut :0003

i agree with this(shocking )...just an opinion,but the blood tests should clear him unless the state has some sort of dui that includes prescription drugs(as marine indicated)...

he probably has a clean record ,so i`m guessing they`ll cut him some slack...

usually,when i get a scrip for something,i always take a half dose (or less) to start off....you never know how drugs affect you (or interact with other meds you might be taking)....

g.l.