Blog: DUI/DWI

New Maryland Law Will Have Disastrous Impact on DUI/DWI Cases and Commercial Drivers

Apr 29, 2024

Defendants in Maryland DUI/DWI cases will not be able to benefit from state laws allowing them to forego having an interlock ignition device installed in their vehicles under a law awaiting the governor’s signature. Currently, it’s up to the judge to decide, in many instances, whether the device should be installed. However, the new law requires that defendants install the interlock even in cases where the defendant gets probation before judgment (PBJ) or a...

Maryland Lawmakers Strengthen Penalties for Drunk Drivers

Apr 22, 2024

Maryland lawmakers have strengthened the penalties for convicted drunk drivers. They eliminated a major loophole in the state’s ignition interlock law. The legislature recently approved a bill that will require Maryland drunk drivers to complete the Ignition Interlock System Program. The device will have to be in place for six months. The categories of drivers that must complete the interlock program will include: Those who receive probation before judgment (PBJ) for driving under...

Explaining ignition interlock devices

Nov 8, 2023

Each year, thousands of people are charged with DUI in Maryland, many in the Ocean City area. When convicted of a DUI, you can face any number of consequences, from fines to court-ordered therapy and classes to jail time. And frequently, you may need to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle to regain your driving privileges. In ignition interlock device, sometimes known as a car breathalyzer, is a device installed in...

Ocean City Prosecutors Have State’s Highest Conviction Rate

Nov 3, 2023

Worcester County has the highest conviction rate in Maryland for the prosecution of alcohol and drug-related impaired driver cases. Worcester County prosecutors handled more than 1,000 DUI/DWI cases during 2021. They obtained a 92.2% conviction rate. The statewide average for 2021 was 77.2%. Worcester County includes Maryland’s summer resort town of Ocean City as well as nearby towns Berlin and Snow Hill. The county has had the state’s highest conviction rate since 2019. ...

Can I Refuse to Take a Breathalyzer Test?

Nov 1, 2023

A University of Maryland assistant coach was arrested in Florida a few weeks ago and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in the Sunshine State. Reportedly, he refused to take a breathalyzer test. Can you refuse to take a breathalyzer test in Maryland? Yes. But there are consequences. Under Maryland law, an officer can detain a driver and conduct an alcohol breath test officer when the officer believes that reasonable grounds exist...

E-scooters and DUI offenses

Oct 9, 2023

Electric scooters (e-scooters) are trendy in Maryland, but riders must still adhere to the responsibilities of traveling on the motor-powered platform. Persons riding on an e-scooter must follow all traffic and safety laws, including riding while intoxicated. Those who ride while intoxicated can face Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges. DUIs and E-scooters The law regarding There’s another statute to be aware of concerning arrests for being under the influence. To...

Answers to Four Common Questions About Maryland DUI Impoundment

Oct 5, 2023

Ocean City, Maryland, is a resort town, and keeping the roads safe requires constant monitoring for drunk drivers. So whether you’re a local or tourist, if you plan to be in town, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the area’s DUI laws. Here are four common questions regarding the state’s DUI laws, specifically those concerning car impoundment and license suspension, along with their answers: How long can your car be impounded after a...

Boating under the influence its consequences

Sep 15, 2023

Many people enjoy boating in Ocean City, Maryland as a pastime when the weather is pleasant. However, under certain circumstances, it’s possible to face charges of boating while intoxicated. Even if you know you’ve been wrongly charged, it’s crucial to understand these laws. Understanding boating under the influence Like driving under the influence ( Penalties for BUI and BWI For a first-time BUI, penalties include up to one year in prison...

Is your career as a doctor in jeopardy after a DUI charge?

Sep 11, 2023

There’s no denying that it takes time and effort to become a doctor. After years of medical school and internships, you reach a point where your hard work pays off. Unfortunately, making an unwise decision to drive under the influence in Maryland can lead to a DUI charge. Here’s what to expect to help you navigate this stressful time. Can you lose your medical license after a DUI? By law, a Maryland doctor...

Understanding your rights at a DUI checkpoint

Sep 8, 2023

When encountering a DUI checkpoint in Maryland, you might question the choices available to you. If law enforcement possesses a reasonable suspicion that you are driving under the influence, they may ask to see your registration and driver’s license, even if no legal violation is evident. Maryland’s DUI checkpoint regulations The regulations in this domain are direct. The police hold the authority to conduct a DUI checkpoint stop, even in the absence of...