Yes, you can get a DUI for driving on ketamine. This is true even if it was legally prescribed or used in a therapeutic setting.
Driving under the influence doesn’t just apply to alcohol or illegal substances. In California and many other states, DUI laws include any drug, legal or illegal, that impairs your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
When you’re facing a DUI charge for ketamine, contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer for help with building a defense and potentially reducing or dismissing your charges.
What Is Ketamine, and How Does It Affect Driving?
Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance in the U.S. and is primarily used in hospitals as an anesthetic. It’s also been increasingly used in small, controlled doses to treat depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain.
However, ketamine has numerous psychoactive effects, such as dissociation, hallucinations, confusion, and slowed motor response. These symptoms can make safe driving nearly impossible.
Even if you feel fine, ketamine can still impair your coordination and decision-making. Police officers are trained to identify signs of drug impairment and may initiate a DUI investigation if they suspect you’re under the influence of ketamine while driving.
California’s DUI Laws: Can You Get a DUI for Driving on Ketamine?
DUI laws in California don’t just focus on alcohol; they apply to anything that impairs your ability to drive safely. It is illegal to drive under the influence of any drug. This includes illicit substances and prescription drugs.
The key issue isn’t whether the drug is legal or not; it’s whether the substance affects your alertness, coordination, or judgment behind the wheel. If an officer suspects impairment, they can initiate a DUI investigation regardless of how or why the drug was taken. This could involve field sobriety tests, questions about recent drug use, or a blood test.
Simply having a prescription or receiving treatment does not protect you from being charged with a DUI if impairment is observed.
Penalties for a DUI Involving Ketamine
Being convicted of a DUI involving ketamine is a serious matter that can lead to life-altering consequences—financially, legally, and personally. Even though ketamine may be legally prescribed or administered in a medical setting, driving while under its influence is treated no differently than a DUI involving alcohol or illicit drugs.
Prosecutors often pursue drug-related DUIs aggressively, especially when public safety is at risk. Once convicted, the penalties you face will depend on factors like your prior driving record, whether anyone was injured, and how impaired you appeared at the time of the arrest. The consequences may include:
- Fines and court fees
- License suspension or revocation
- Mandatory DUI education programs
- Jail time or probation
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID)
- A permanent mark on your criminal record
Repeat offenses or DUIs involving accidents or injuries can lead to more severe consequences.
Can You Use a Prescription Defense?
Many people mistakenly believe that having a legal prescription means they can’t be charged with a DUI. However, that’s not the case. The law solely focuses on impairment. The only defense a prescription provides is that you weren’t breaking drug possession laws, not that you were safe to drive.
What if Ketamine Was Used Hours Earlier?
Ketamine’s effects may linger in your body even after you feel “normal” again. It can impair your cognitive and motor functions for hours after the high has worn off.
Blood tests can detect ketamine for several days after use, depending on the dosage, and prosecutors may use these results alongside officer testimony to build a case. So even if you felt okay to drive, your system could still show evidence of impairment that leads to a DUI arrest and conviction.
What Should You Do if Charged with a Ketamine DUI?
DUI cases involving drugs are complicated. There’s often no “per se” limit, and the prosecution must prove actual impairment. This gives your attorney room to challenge:
- The accuracy of the drug tests
- The qualifications of the arresting officer or DRE
- Whether your behavior truly indicated impairment
- The legality of the traffic stop or arrest
With the right legal strategy, it may be possible to reduce the charges, obtain a dismissal, or negotiate for a lesser penalty.
Get Connected With a DUI Attorney Today
Yes, you can absolutely be charged with a DUI for driving on ketamine, even if it was prescribed or part of a medical treatment. Ketamine’s mind-altering effects can seriously impair your ability to drive safely and lawfully.
If you’re facing a DUI charge related to ketamine use, let Los Angeles DUI Lawyer be your resource. We have helped thousands of people facing charges just like yours and are prepared to use that experience to connect you with a skilled legal professional who understands drug-related DUI defense.
Reach out today, and then visit our FAQ page to learn more.
