Criminal Defense Lawyer

Energy drinks are increasingly popular in the United States and globally. According to CNN, the energy drink market was already worth $39 billion five years ago and is forecast to be worth a staggering $61 billion by 2021. But simply because a substance is both popular and legal does not mean that it is safe in all contexts. The World Health Organization has warned that energy drinks may pose a “danger to public health.” As a result, it is important for the public to better understand when energy drinks may be hazardous and may even impact potentially criminal behavior.

Energy drinks are potentially hazardous for a host of practical reasons. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adolescents avoid these beverages because their nervous systems are simply not designed to process them in healthy ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,145 adolescents required emergency medical attention for conditions related to energy drink consumption in 2007 alone. Similarly, pregnant women, elderly individuals and adults with heart conditions may be adversely impacted by consumption of energy drinks.

But there is also a less obvious threat posed by drinking energy beverages. Consuming energy drinks and alcohol either simultaneously or within a short period of time can significantly impair a motorist’s judgment and lead to otherwise preventable drunk driving charges. According to the American College of Cardiology, “binge drinking of energy beverages combined with alcohol is common practice, resulting in the “toxic wide-awake drunk” who despite being impaired by the alcohol is wired from the energy drink and has a false sense of confidence in their abilities, which may lead to risk taking and dangerous behavior.”

Even when motorists have not consumed enough energy beverages or alcoholic beverages that they can be considered to have “binged” on either, the combination of alcohol and ingredients in the energy drinks can lead to a false sense that one isn’t actually drunk and is therefore safe to drive. As a result, it is critically important to avoid mixing alcohol and energy drinks if one plans to drive within any significant length of time after imbibing them. Drunk driving charges are serious and can lead to severe consequences. Avoiding DUI or DWI charges through proactive decision-making is ideal whenever possible.

Legal Guidance Is Available

If you have questions about drunk or otherwise impaired driving or if you have recently been charged with an impaired driving offense, please consider connecting with an experienced criminal defense attorney. The law is complex, nuanced and contextual. As a result, it is generally a good idea to seek legal guidance and support any time you believe you may need it.

Attorneys experienced in criminal defense matters are well placed to advise you of your legal options once they hear the specific circumstances surrounding your questions and/or current situation. In addition, consultations with attorneys, like a  DUI lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, are generally confidential, so you should not hesitate to speak up with questions whenever you have them and seek legal support when you could potentially benefit from it.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into DUI defense.