California made marijuana legal in 2016, but it’s still against the law to drive while high. DUI laws apply whether you use marijuana for fun or medical reasons. Even with a prescription, you can be charged with a DUI if you’re driving while under the influence. A marijuana DUI lawyer in Torrance can explain your rights.
Marijuana laws are confusing and change often. You can stay informed and get assistance by contacting Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, a legal resource that’s been in operation for nearly 20 years.
Our seasoned team will connect you with a reliable Torrance DUI lawyer who can help. Call today to learn more about your options.
Hire a Torrance Marijuana DUI Lawyer Who Knows the Local System
A DUI lawyer in your area understands California’s marijuana laws and how they apply to your case. Having someone local on your side helps you build a stronger defense and improves your chances of a better result.
A Torrance marijuana DUI attorney knows the local courts, how the legal process works, and the specific rules that may affect your case. Their experience with local judges and prosecutors can make a difference when trying to get charges reduced or explore other sentencing options.
What Counts as a Marijuana DUI in California
In California, you can be charged with a marijuana DUI if you drive while high, and it affects your ability to drive safely. California Vehicle Code 23152(f) makes it illegal to drive under the influence of drugs, including marijuana.
Unlike alcohol DUIs, there’s no official THC limit that makes you legally impaired. Instead, police look for signs that you’re under the influence by watching your behavior, giving field sobriety tests, and sometimes using blood or urine tests to check for THC.
How Police Decide Whether You’re Too Impaired to Drive
Figuring out if someone is impaired by marijuana is harder than with alcohol. Marijuana affects people in different ways, and tools like breathalyzers don’t work for THC. Because of this, police rely on other signs to judge if a driver is too impaired to be behind the wheel.
Officers look at several things, including:
- Signs of recent use: If your car smells like marijuana, if there’s smoke, or if marijuana is found in the vehicle, it may suggest you used it recently.
- What you say: If you admit to using marijuana or say you feel high, that can be used as evidence. Witnesses may also share what they heard or saw.
- How you’re driving: Swerving, driving too fast or too slow, or making sudden moves might signal you’re impaired.
- Physical appearance: Red eyes, slow responses, poor concentration, or confusion are common signs of being under the influence.
- Field sobriety tests: Tasks like walking straight, balancing, or following directions are used to check your coordination and focus. Struggling with these tests may point to impairment.
If an officer believes you’re impaired by marijuana or another drug, they may ask you to take a blood or urine test to check for substances in your system.
Penalties for Marijuana DUI in California
In California, it doesn’t matter if you’re impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or another drug; the DUI penalties don’t change. The law treats all forms of impaired driving the same way, no matter what substance is involved.
Penalties for the first offense:
- Jail time: 96 hours to 6 months
- Fines: $390 to $1,000
- License suspension: 6 months
- Additional penalties: Completion of a DUI education program
Penalties for the second offense:
- Jail time: 90 days to 1 year
- Fines: $390 to $1,000
- License suspension: 2 years
- Additional penalties: Completion of a DUI program
Penalties for the third offense:
- Jail time: 120 days to 1 year
- Fines: $390 to $1,000
- License suspension: 3 years
- Additional penalties: Completion of a DUI program and ignition interlock device (IID) required in the vehicle
Penalties for fourth offenses:
- Prison time: 16 months to 3 years
- Fines: $390 to $1,000
- License suspension: 4 years (no restricted license)
- Additional penalties: Completion of a long-term DUI program and IID required
A marijuana DUI lawyer in Torrance will take the time to review all the details of your case. This includes looking at how and why the police pulled you over, whether they followed proper procedures during the stop, and how they tested you for impairment. Based on this review, they can explain which penalties you’re likely to face.
Why You Should Work with an Experienced Marijuana DUI Lawyer in Torrance
Being arrested on a marijuana DUI charge can be stressful and confusing. You might not know what your options are or how the legal system works. That’s why talking to an experienced marijuana DUI attorney in Torrance should be your first step.
An attorney can guide you through the process, explain what you’re up against, and help you make smart choices about how to move forward. Here’s how a marijuana DUI lawyer in Torrance can assist you:
- Collect key evidence that supports your side of the story, including dashcam footage, witness statements, and arrest reports.
- Carefully review any plea offers to make sure they’re fair and in your best interest.
- Protect your legal rights from start to finish, making sure law enforcement followed proper procedures.
- Request independent lab testing of your blood or urine samples to verify results.
- Challenge any mistakes in the testing process that could affect the outcome of your case.
- Bring in expert witnesses who can explain how marijuana affects people differently or dispute claims made by the prosecution.
- Stand up for you in court, speaking on your behalf and working toward the best possible outcome.
Having the right attorney on your side can make a big difference in how your case is handled and what penalties you may face.
Speak with a Torrance Marijuana DUI Lawyer Today
If you’ve been arrested for a marijuana DUI, don’t wait to get legal aid. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances of protecting your rights and building a strong defense. Acting quickly can preserve important evidence (like video footage, witness statements, or test results) that may be lost or harder to get over time.
Los Angeles DUI Lawyer makes it easy to connect with a trusted Torrance marijuana DUI lawyer. Just share a few basic details about your situation, and we’ll match you with an attorney from our trusted network of experienced, pre-screened legal professionals.
