Law enforcement officials in Louisville, KY, often use urine tests to screen drivers for substances other than alcohol. If the urine test showed that you were under the influence of drugs, you could be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). If you tested positive during a DUI urine test, call an experienced Louisville DUI lawyer at Suhre & Associates, LLC, for assistance before answering any questions.
Collectively, our lawyers have over 100 years of experience handling DUI cases. Our team includes former police and prosecutors who know the legal system inside and out.
We can help you contest a positive DUI urine test. Contact our law offices in Louisville, Kentucky, to schedule a free consultation today at (502) 371-7000.
How Suhre & Associates, LLC, Can Help With a DUI Urine Test in Louisville
It’s illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Kentucky. That doesn’t mean you’re automatically guilty if the police order you to submit to a chemical test. An experienced Louisville DUI lawyer can help you fight to beat the charges.
Suhre & Associates, LLC is an award-winning law firm in Kentucky. We’ve helped countless clients build the aggressive defense strategies they need to win tough cases.
When you hire our legal team to protect you, you can count on us to:
- Examine every defense that can be used to challenge the results of a DUI urine test
- Defend you if you’re arrested for refusing to submit to a urine, blood, or breath test
- Help you understand your legal rights and options
- Negotiate with police and prosecutors on your behalf
Our Louisville DUI attorneys have been rated by Super Lawyers and earned a perfect-10 Avvo rating. More importantly, we have the skills to challenge the prosecution at every turn.
If you have questions about the laws on DUI urine tests or are facing DUI charges, call our team for a free case evaluation as soon as possible.
Overview of the Rules on DUI Urine Tests in Louisville, KY
Like the rest of the United States, Kentucky is an implied consent state. When you get behind the wheel, you consent to any chemical test that the police may order if you’re pulled over. That includes breath, blood, and urine tests.
While breath tests typically test your blood alcohol content, urine tests are used to test for drugs in the urine.
A good DUI urine test may detect:
- Opiates
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Amphetamines
- PCP
The Kentucky Supreme Court recently found that police can’t use blood tests taken without a warrant to enhance DUI penalties. However, that decision doesn’t apply to urine tests. So, if you refuse to provide a urine sample, you can still be subject to penalties under Kentucky DUI laws.
What Are the Consequences of Refusing a DUI Urine Test?
It can be tough to prove that you were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Without the urine test result, you might think that prosecutors can’t prove their case. However, the fact that you refused a DUI urine test can actually be used against you in court.
If you refuse to submit to a DUI urine test, you could face the following penalties:
- Automatic driver’s license suspension
- Enhanced jail sentence
- A restricted license
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
When you refuse testing, your driver’s license can be suspended for the same time period that would have applied if convicted, as follows:
- First offense within a ten-year period: six-month suspension
- Second offense within a ten-year period: 18-month suspension
- Third offense within a ten-year period: 36-month suspension
- Fourth offense within a ten-year period: 60-month suspension
Repeat offenders are subject to enhanced jail sentences under Kentucky DUI laws. If you refuse a chemical test two or three times within a ten-year period, your jail sentence will be double the sentence that would have applied if you submitted to the test.
Do I Have the Right to an Attorney Before a DUI Urine Test?
Yes. After the police request the urine test, you have the right to contact an attorney. You have at least ten minutes, but not more than 15 minutes, to contact a DUI lawyer who can help.
However, if you can’t contact an attorney within 15 minutes, you must submit to the urine test or risk facing the penalties for refusal outlined above. Further, the police don’t have to wait for your attorney to arrive before administering the test.
Remember, the police might try to convince you to tell them what types of medication you’re taking. It’s always smart to wait for a lawyer before answering any questions. If you were pulled over and asked to submit to a chemical test, call Suhre & Associates, LLC, right away.
Will My Prescription Medications Impact the Validity of a DUI Urine Test?
It’s possible that your prescription medications will show up on a DUI urine test. Depending on the type of drug involved, you could be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVI) based on the presence of prescription drugs in your system.
Can a Lawyer Challenge the Results of a DUI Urine Test?
It is possible to challenge the results of a DUI urine test in Kentucky. Potential grounds for a challenge include:
- The police lacked probable cause or a reasonable basis for ordering the urine test
- Law enforcement failed to follow proper procedures in administering the test
- Law enforcement failed to inform you of your legal rights
- Problems with the test itself
Our DUI attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC, can help you determine whether you have a legal basis for challenging the results of a DUI urine test. Just give us a call for a free case review today.
Questions About DUI Urine Test Requirements in Louisville? Call a DUI Lawyer at Suhre & Associates, LLC Today
Did you test positive for drugs or alcohol during a DUI urine test? Call a Louisville DUI lawyer at Suhre & Associates, LLC, to schedule a free initial consultation today. We’ll do everything we can to build the strongest defense to fight the charges you’re facing.
