The Sleep Driving Defense For DUI Ambian & Other Sleeping Pills

Today I am going to explain the law for DUI Ambien or other sleeping pills.

Let’s get started,

But first, watch this video to familiarize yourself with the law on prescription drug DUI.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is unlawful, but so is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a drug, such as a medication that was prescribed or was purchased over-the-counter like ambian or lunesta¹.

Does Ambian or Other Sleeping Pills Cause Sleep Driving?

Ambien is called a sedative-hypnotic drug that is effective for inducing sleep as well as calming persons suffering from extreme anxiety. But it also produces sleepwalking, a potentially dangerous condition where you are engaged in physical activity without full consciousness.

It can also result in an even more dangerous activity called “sleep-driving” resulting in a DUI charge under vehicle code 23152(f).

What Is Sleep Driving?

Sleep driving is sleepwalking but doing so while operating a motor vehicle.

Sleepwalking is a disorder that occurs more commonly during childhood but can be experienced by adults who take Ambien or other sedative-hypnotic drugs such as Lunesta or Sonata.

It occurs when you go from deep sleep to a lighter stage or even wakefulness but not being fully aware of your surroundings, environment, or activities. You often have no memory of any activity you engaged in and you are not responsive while so engaged.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized the phenomenon of sleep-driving and defines it as “driving while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic product, with no memory of the event.” It even places warnings on the labels of these medications as well as in the paper guides included with the packaging.

List of Sedative Hypnotic Drugs That Could Cause DUI Sleeping Pills

• Ambien, Ambien CR (zolpidem tartrate)
• Butisol Sodium (butabarbital sodium)
• Carbtrital (pentobarbital and carbromal)
• Dalmane (flurazepam hydrochloride)
• Doral (quazepam)
• Edluar (zolpidem tartrate)
• Halcion (triazolam)
• Intermezzo (zolpidem)
• Lunesta (eszopiclone)
• Placidyl (ethchlorvynol)
• Prosom (estazolam)
• Restoril (temazepam)
• Rozerem (ramelteon)
• Seconal (secobarbital sodium)
• Silenor (doxepin hydrochloride)
• Sonata (zaleplon)
• Zolpimist (zolpidem tartrate)

Defenses to Charges of DUI Sleeping Pills

You can only be criminally prosecuted if you voluntarily engage in a criminal act such as drinking alcohol and then driving.

In the context of sleep driving, most people who take the sedative do not intend to drive but end up doing so anyway. They usually have no memory of getting in the car and driving until after they have been arrested for erratic driving, violating a traffic law or being involved in an accident.

Is Sleep Driving a Defense To DUI Sleeping Pills

This issue has been addressed by the courts and depends on a number of factors:

1. The medication had a warning regarding sleep driving
2. You were tested and found to have alcohol and Ambien in your blood
3. The medication label or packaging also contained a warning about mixing alcohol and Ambien
4. The dosage you took exceeded the prescription or recommended dosage²
5. You took the drug knowing you would be driving a vehicle
6. You were drowsy or not completely awake while driving after having taken the drug the night before you drove
7. You had previously experienced sleep walking or sleep driving

Your attorney may be able to successfully argue that you lacked the necessary intent or that your actions were involuntary if you were asleep in your bed but arose in a sleep walking state, took your car keys and drove. If you were in pajamas or appeared to have been obviously sleeping in bed before driving, this could be a viable and credible defense that could prevail at trial or offer you a satisfactory plea agreement.

DMV Hearing If Charged With DUI Sleeping Pills

Anyone who is charged with a DUI, whether it is alcohol or a drug-related, will receive a temporary 30-day license to replace their regular license, provided you had a valid license.

You have only 10-days to request a Per Se or administrative hearing before the DMV to contest the pending suspension of your driving privileges for 6-10 months for a first offense or longer if you refused chemical testing or have a prior DUI conviction within the past 10 years.

Are There Issues Unique to DUI Sleeping Pill Cases Presented at the DMV Hearing?

If you were charged for being under the influence of a drug like Ambien, the issues that are presented at your hearing are as follows:

• Whether the police had probable cause to stop your vehicle
• Whether you were operating a motor vehicle while impaired
• If you took the Ambien voluntarily
• If you were aware of the FDA warnings regarding Ambien and sleep driving
• Whether you were driving voluntarily or involuntarily
• Whether you understood the implied consent warning

As indicated herein, even if you were aware of the sleep-driving potential but were actually in bed before the sleepwalking and the subsequent driving occurred, and you took the recommended dosage with no alcohol but ended up driving nonetheless, you may have a reasonable argument for having your normal driving privileges restored and avoiding a license suspension.

Penalties For DUI Ambian

If convicted of driving under the influence of a drug like Ambien, you face the same penalties as drunk driving.

For a first offense, the penalties are as follows:

• 2 days in jail
• Alternative sentence of community service
• 2 additional days in jail if you refused chemical testing
• Fine of $390 up to $1,000
• Additional expenses for court costs and various assessments
• Summary or informal probation of 3 years up to 5 years
• 3-months participation in a DUI program
• Loss of license for 6-10 months
• Restricted license eligibility unless you refused testing
• 0ne-year loss of license if testing refused

You will also experience a significant increase in your auto liability insurance premiums for a few years.

Of course, the penalties increase dramatically with each subsequent conviction.

What If You Don’t Rememeber Refusing the Chemical Test?

This issue needs to be addressed at your Per Se hearing.

You only have 10 days after your arrest to request your hearing and being given your temporary license to request the hearing or you waive it so you need to contact our office immediately.

One of our attorneys can address the issues of your state of mind, the medical characteristics of Ambien while someone is sleepwalking or driving and whether you were capable of understanding the implied consent warning that the officer was required to give you.

We may need medical testimony to support your defense.

Important DUI Information

• The 3 stages Of A Misdemeanor DUI Court Process
• When Does A DUI Become A Felony?
• Wet Reckless as a plea bargain in a California DUI case
• How To Win A DMV Hearing

Expungement

It is possible to receive an expungement for a DUI misdemeanor and potentially a felony as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

1. California Vehicle Code 23152(f) It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to drive a vehicle. [↩]
2. People v. Mathson | 210 Cal.App.4th 1297 (2012). [↩]