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23Oct 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.