Reno Drug DUI Lawyer | Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Whether or not you did anything wrong, drug-related DUI charges are serious. In fact, these charges can have life-altering consequences, including license suspension, fines, jail time, and a criminal record. For this reason, having a knowledgeable Reno drug DUI lawyer is crucial.

The Law Office of John Arrascada LLC is a trusted and respected defense team that can help you when you are facing serious charges. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, a DUI defense attorney who understands the law and who can help you fight for your rights will be a valuable ally.

What Is a Drug DUI?

According to Nevada Revised Statutes § 484C.110, a drug DUI is the act of driving under the influence of a controlled or prescription substance. Unlike an alcohol-related DUI, there is no 0.08 blood alcohol concentration threshold to consider. Instead, an arrest and conviction can be made based on chemical test results and impairment. The process of prosecuting a drug DUI involves chemical testing with blood, urine, or saliva.

A variety of drugs can lead to DUI charges, though many people are completely unaware that some of them can lead to criminal charges. While many people know that illegal substances like marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines can lead to a DUI, prescription medications can also lead to criminal charges. Painkillers, sedatives, and anti-anxiety drugs can all cause intoxication, as can some over-the-counter medications, like sleep aids and antihistamines.

A drug DUI lawyer in Reno can review the evidence to build the strongest defense possible.

Drug DUI Laws and Penalties

A first-time offense can carry various penalties, including fines, mandatory DUI education, license suspension, and even jail time. The state may choose to enhance penalties for those with repeated offenses, DUIs that cause injury, and cases involving minors.

In addition to these immediate consequences of a criminal conviction, there are also long-term consequences associated with a DUI. For instance, having a criminal record can cause difficulties for employment or even lead to higher insurance costs. In some cases, people even lose professional licenses. Having a drug DUI attorney is crucial for mitigating or challenging these potential penalties so that you can continue living in Reno with greater peace of mind.

Defenses in Drug DUI Cases

One of the first things that a drug DUI lawyer will do is challenge the legality of the traffic stop in Reno. They may try to determine if the officer had the legal right to stop their client in the first place. Legal counsel will also question the accuracy of any field sobriety or chemical testing processes and argue that the existence of prescription drugs in one’s system indicates impairment.

A strong lawyer will highlight constitutional rights violations, such as illegal search and seizure or mishandled evidence, in addition to case-specific strategies. The key here is that no two cases are exactly alike. Each one requires a different approach.

Hire a Reno Drug DUI Attorney From The Law Office of John Arrascada LLC

John Arrascada is highly respected in Reno’s legal community for acting as a zealous and aggressive advocate who understands the needs of clients when they are facing a prosecutor in court. He is a straight shooter who offers honest and candid case assessments, ensuring you do not waste your time.

Drug DUI charges are serious, and they require an experienced Reno drug DUI lawyer to handle them. The Law Office of John Arrascada LLC can provide a skilled defense for your case. Call today for a consultation to discuss your case.

Reviews

Vic Alessi

23:37 23 Jan 26

If you need legal representation in or around Reno, look no further than John Arrascada. John is an outstanding attorney - responsive, engaged, extremely knowledgeable, ethical, and compassionate; a rare combination. You can be confident that John is going to guide you to your most favorable outcome.

George Gomez

19:17 23 Dec 25

I want to say thank you so much to John for making this process as easy as possible. He was straight forward from the beginning and telling you how it is from the start. I felt comfortable the first time I talked to him on the phone, I called different firms, but I didn’t feel comfortable with the people I was talking to but when I talked to John he made me feel at ease. Could’ve been a lot worse for me but John took care of those legal actions. I recommend to who ever is reading this call John and his team! I also want to say thank you to Carrine, she always answered my calls and emails when I had questions about anything. They are both very professional and care about helping people! Now I’m at peace with no weight on my shoulders. Thank you again 🙏

J. Walk

17:25 12 Nov 25

Mr. Arrascada and his team were wonderful to work with during my case. This was my first time dealing with any charges against me and Mr. Arrascada instilled confidence in me throughout the entire process. I live almost 7 hours away from where court was and he was still able to get everything arranged to where I never had to make the drive and was able to appear via Zoom. I would not hesitate to use Mr. Arrascada again, although I pray that I do not have to. True professional and very responsive.

Jessica Baker

23:52 09 Sep 25

I could not have asked for a better experience during such a confusing time. Mr.Arrascada went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and ensure I had more than enough information to understand the process I was going through. I spent a lot of time visiting with different law firms and once I met with John Arrascada and his team it was an easy decision. Save yourself the time and choose Mr.Arrascada to work with. Thank you Law Office of John Arrascada 11/10.

ramon acosta

16:19 04 Jun 25

I am a retired criminal defense attorney, having spent the majority of my 34 year career as a federal public defender, practicing federal criminal law at the highest level in US District Courts in New Mexico, Texas and Nevada. I have known John for many years, he is an outstanding lawyer, a good friend and a good person. John is what many would say is a "straight shooter", he is professional, honest and straight forward. He does not mince words but he is kind and always respectful. He is the type of lawyer who learns every aspect of his case, including the players, their history, their strengths and weaknesses. If I had to pick just one aspect of his many skills, unlike many lawyers, John is patient and he listens. There is no one in northern Nevada that even comes close to his jury trial experience. When I was confronted with a difficult legal issue or challenge, John was one of the few attorneys I would consult with. I have never faced a criminal court as a defendant, but if I did, this is the lawyer I would want at my side.

Elizabeth C

19:47 05 Oct 24

John Arrascada is the absolute best! A very knowledgeable attorney and a really good man that truly cares about his client, as well as their family. John made sure we understood everything and kept us updated throughout some very tough times. His paralegal, Carinne, was also wonderful communicating with us. We credit the favorable outcome to John's expertise and hard work. Five stars and then some - highly recommend this firm!