Ambien Defense in San Antonio Drunk Driving Cases
The use of sleeping aids can sometimes have disastrous, unintended consequences, such as causing someone to unintentionally drive while intoxicated or hit another person. Should someone be charged with drunk driving, intoxication assault, or a similar charge if they did not intend to drive or commit assault?
At the Law Offices of Patrick L. Hancock, we have presented Ambien as a defense in an intoxication assault case and won. Have you been arrested for DWI or intoxication assault while using Ambien? Turn to a nationally recognized defense lawyer with more than 32 years of results-driven experience. Call our law office at 210-223-8844 or contact us.
A Case Study: Ambien and Intoxication Assault
On April 23rd 2009, Julie Bronson, a San Antonio flight attendant, came home from work and admittedly drank five glasses of wine and took an Ambien (Zolpidem is the generic form). The next thing she knew, she woke in up in a jail cell in her pajamas.
Ms. Bronson had actually gotten in her Mercedes, drove erratically and eventually hit a woman and her two daughters, seriously injuring her youngest daughter. Ms. Bronson had no recollection of the incident.
Ms. Bronson hired our firm to represent her in this case. She was charged with intoxication assault, and failure to stop and render aid. These felony charges had a 10 year prison term attached to them.
Our firm hired Dr. Janci Lindsey, a biochemist and toxicology expert to testify in the case. Since there was no doubt Ms. Bronson drank and drove and injured the young girl, she pleaded guilty. But because of the expert testimony, the jurors believed she had no intention of driving and gave Ms. Bronson probation.
Prescription Sleeping Aids: Powerful Drugs, Serious Consequences
The use of prescription sleeping aids, especially mixed with alcohol, can have dangerous effects and serious consequences. Some of the more popular sleeping aids are Ambien, Zolpidem, Lunesta, Silenor, Restoril, Sonata and Halcion.
Some criminal cases associated with these prescriptions are drunk driving (DWI), assault, manslaughter and car accidents.
If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime and you feel it was a direct consequence of taking a sleeping aid, contact San Antonio criminal defense attorney Patrick Hancock. He has the unique experience to handle these types of cases. He has been selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers as well as The Best Lawyers in America. Call 210-223-8844 or contact him online.