What to do if charged with crimes that I have no recollection in committing due to mixing alcohol and prescribed medication?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What to do if charged with crimes that I have no recollection in committing due to mixing alcohol and prescribed medication?

I’ve been charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Destruction of Property in the 1st Degree. I was intoxicated at the time and am also on medication that causes me to black out for hours at a time. I have no recollection of destroying or burglarizing anyone’s property. I’ve been told that I trashed a room in my residence hall and stole from them. Again, Ihave no recollection of any of these events transpiring. Please help me figure out what the maximum and minimum penalties of this offense is. Should I speak with a criminal defense attorney? In Clay County, SD.

Asked on October 3, 2010 under Criminal Law, South Dakota

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

Yes, you should speak with an attorney in the area as soon as you possibly can.  I have to say that on the outset I doubt that the facts as you have laid them out will be a valid "defense" to the matter or that the facts would be able to mitigate the underlying crime as charged.  I am assuming that you are an adult and you will be held accountable for your actions to some degree unless your attorney can find a loop hole here.  You will probably be facing a disciplinary action from the school as well as the local authorities so it is a good idea to have your attorney on board right away.  Good luck.   


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption