Oct 23, 2020
Diabetes Can Lead To A DUI Charge
It is estimated that about one in every ten American has diabetes. While
this is clearly a national health issue, there is also a legal issue
that can accompany a case of diabetes. Interestingly, many of the same
behaviors that intoxicated people exhibit can be present in diabetics
when their blood sugar is too low, or hypoglycemic, to use the medical term.
Hypoglycemia is a state where your blood sugar levels drop too low. This
is a state that is common in diabetics as they can experience wild
swings in blood sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include sleepiness,
confusion, slurred speech and the inability to balance oneself while
standing. As you can see, an office encountering an individual
experiencing and episode of hypoglycemia could easily mistake them for
an intoxicated individual.
On the other side of the diabetic spectrum, when blood sugar is too
high, or hyperglycemic, it can make your breath smell sweet and/or
fruity. This is often mistaken as an odor of alcohol on the breath.
If you have any medical condition, it is important to take your
medication as prescribed. Not only for your health, but for your ability
to operate dangerous machinery, such as a car. If you live in
Burlington, Essex, Colchester, Winooski, Williston, Shelburne, or
anywhere in the state of Vermont, and have been arrested or charged with
DUI or any crime, call Handy Law for aggressive and experienced legal
defense.