Cincinnati, OH asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Ohio

Q: If I was charged with D.U.I for a positive drug screen and plead guilty and was already sentenced wouldn't it be double

Jeopardy to later be charged with F-5 internal possession as a whole new case filed against me for that same urine screen which was used as evidence to charge me with D.U.I? I feel that is being tried for the same case twice.

1 Lawyer Answer
Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Cleveland, OH
  • Licensed in Ohio

A: This would be an interesting one to argue. The standard for double jeopardy is whether each offense requires proof of an element which the other does not. For the DUI that’s easy. DUI requires proof that you operated a motor vehicle. Drug possession certainly does not. Similarly, normal drug possession requires proof that you had some drugs. DUI requires proof that you were under their influence, not that you’ve got a bag of drugs. But, where the alleged possession is internal, those elements are arguably the same. If you are under their influence you must necessarily possess drugs internally. You should hire an attorney to research and pursue such an argument.

Dimitrios Makridis agrees with this answer

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.