Blog: DUI/DWI
- Aggressive defense strategies against DUI charges in Ocean City
Sep 17, 2020
DUI stops are some of the most common situations in which Ocean City residents and law enforcement officials interact. Each year in Maryland thousands of people are charged with drunk driving offenses. And, in many cases, these arrestees are probably frightened and wondering what options they have to address the charges. Aggressive stance to DUI charges Some people may be so panicked by the prospect of being convicted of a DUI charge that...Read More - Lack of probable cause as a DUI defense
Sep 1, 2020
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. In the context of a DUI, this means that Reasonable suspicion As long as the officer has a reasonable belief that you have broken the law in some capacity, the need for reasonable suspicion will be met. While driving recklessly, driving at extremely slow speeds, or swerving between lanes may all indicate a possible DUI, an officer is...Read More - Maryland has harsh penalties for drunk drivers who kill someone
Jul 16, 2020
If an Ocean City area resident has been charged with impaired driving in Maryland for drug or alcohol consumption it can be a nerve-wracking time. Those who are facing these Those who are under the influence of drug or alcohol in Maryland and drive are at risk of severe penalties if they kill someone in an accident. Those who are convicted of vehicle homicide face jail time of up to five years. If...Read More - What are the penalties for a DWI charge in Maryland?
Mar 16, 2020
Maryland’s politicians are serious about cracking down on impaired driving. Each year they propose changes in the laws aimed at increasing the penalties for drunk and drugged driving. In 2019, Maryland lawmakers increased the penalties for those with Baltimore, Ocean City and Maryland repeat DUI and DWI convictions. In 2016, they made There are two basic drunk driving charges in Maryland – DUI and DWI. “DUI” stands for driving under the influence...Read More - What are the penalties for a DUI charge in Maryland?
Mar 9, 2020
If you’ve been charged with impaired driving in Maryland, whether it be from alcohol or drugs, then you’re probably wondering what kind of penalties you could be facing. Drinking and driving is a public safety issue. Vehicle accidents in Maryland in 2017 involving impaired drivers caused 188 fatalities and more than 3,200 persons were injured. But people are human, and, on more than one occasion, someone has a couple of drinks and then hits...Read More - Roadside noise, two officers speaking at same time, didn’t interfere with advising of Maryland DWI driver’s rights
Feb 17, 2020
Despite being distracted by one officer reading his rights and another officer asking questions, a Maryland motorist who was stopped for suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol (DWI) and who refused a blood alcohol concentration test was fully advised of his rights, Maryland’s top court has ruled. Maryland traffic stop In April 2018, a Maryland police officer observed Brian Barrett “commit multiple traffic violations, including driving above the posted speed...Read More - Court of Appeals rejects man’s argument that he was “sheltering” in vehicle and not DUI or DWI
Feb 10, 2020
Although a Maryland man’s argument that he was “sheltering” in his vehicle and not driving or attempting to drive it while parked near his ex-girlfriend’s house was successful before an administrative law judge and a circuit court, the state’s top court disagreed and found that a Caroline County police officer, upon smelling alcohol, had reasonable grounds to detain the man. The Court of Appeals held that the trooper who discovered John W. Pollard while...Read More - Officer who did not see women driving truck had reasonable grounds to believe she was driving, court rules
Feb 3, 2020
An administrative law judge and a Carroll County circuit court made a mistake when they ruled that a law enforcement officer did not have reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle’s occupant was driving while impaired (DWI) or attempting to drive under the influence (DUI) when she was sitting in the driver’s seat, smelled of alcohol and failed to stop at a stop sign, Maryland’s top court recently ruled. After two officers from the...Read More - As holiday season starts up, so do Maryland driving while impaired accidents
Dec 11, 2019
As the holiday season starts up, it’s easy for drivers to find themselves in a position where they are drinking and driving. According to the National Highway and Safety Administration, drunk driving accidents increase during the holiday season. Starting on Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day, there are more alcohol-related accidents than at any time of year. Nationally, over the past five years, 300 people on average died in drunk driving crashes the week between Christmas...Read More - Police Officers Don’t Have to Specify the Type of Blood Alcohol Test When Drivers are Suspected of a DUI/DWI, Court says
Jan 19, 2019
While a Maryland driver can refuse to take a sobriety test to determine if there is any alcohol or drugs in his/her system, there are consequences. The first time that a driver refuses to take a drug or alcohol concentration test in Maryland, the driver’s license will be suspended for 270 days. Of course, if there has been an accident that results in the death or a life-threatening injury to another person, then a Maryland...Read More