The Simple Answer is NO.
Rhode Island General Laws states that any person charged with DUI is, or has been, legally entitled to use alcohol or a drug shall not constitute a defense against a charge of DUI.
If the medication adversely affected your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, then the fact that it was prescribed is not a defense.
Many prescription medications come with a warning about ingesting the medication and not operating heavy machinery. A motor vehicle qualifies as heavy machinery for purposes of this warning not to drive.
Several prescription medications have side effects that will impair your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
In Rhode Island, there are trained Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). They are trained to determine the severity of the impairment based upon certain behavioral clues. They will use this evidence to build a case against you.
Read my post on what to do when pulled over for DUI suspicion in Rhode Island.
If you have Failed a Blood Test, Read my blog post on how you can beat the DUI.
You need to have an Experienced DUI Defense attorney that has prosecuted and defended these types of cases. Attorney LaMountain has successfully done both over his 10 years of legal experience.
Call Me for a FREE Case Evaluation if you or someone you know was arrested for a DUI.
Protect your rights and get an experienced DUI attorney to protect you!