As an older person, you’ve been through life’s ups and downs. Several years ago, you had an admitted problem with drinking too much alcohol. You wouldn’t say you were addicted, but you certainly had more than your fair share at that point in your life.
It was during that period that you ended up with your first DWI. You were driving home from a bar, and you simply had too much to drink. That led to the charge and all the penalties that came with it.
Now, it’s been several years, but you’ve found yourself in a similar situation. This time, you don’t think you’ve had too much to drink. Instead, you’re worried that it was a medical problem that led you to swerve and pass out behind the wheel, even though the officer said that there was alcohol in your vehicle.
Can medical problems be misunderstood as drunkenness?
Yes, they really can. Certain conditions can even make your breath smell like alcohol, which significantly impacts your ability to argue that you haven’t been drinking. One medical condition in particular, diabetes, is known to cause behavior that makes a person appear to be intoxicated while also potentially making them smell like acetone.
If you have a medical condition that might be misconstrued as intoxication, it’s important to talk to your attorney about your medical history and how it may affect your case. Our website has more on DWIs and how you can fight them, even if this is not your first time being arrested or accused of drinking and driving.
