We’re at the beginning of the holiday season and holiday revelry means that it’s easy for Ocean City drivers to find themselves on the road after a few drinks. According to the National Highway and Safety Administration, drunk driving accidents increase during the holiday season. Starting Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day, there are more alcohol-related accidents than at any time of year.
While a charge of drinking while driving or driving under the influence shouldn’t be handled without the help of an attorney, the situation is even more acute in the Ocean City area. The Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office has long been recognized for having the highest conviction rate in alcohol and drug-related driving offenses in the state.
According to a study completed by the University of Maryland’s National Study Center for Trauma and EMS the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office handled 841 driving while impaired and driving while intoxicated cases from May 2019 to May 2020. Prosecutors obtained convictions in 93% of those cases — the highest conviction rate among all the jurisdictions in the state.
The statewide average is 78%.
The high conviction rate is not a one-time occurrence. Worcester County has obtained a 90% conviction rate over the past six or seven years.
While the numbers reflect all of Worcester, a large percentage of the cases are generated in and around Ocean City. The Ocean City Police Department has said that it works closely with the State’s Attorney’s Office to get positive outcomes in court.
There are two basic drunk driving charges in Maryland – DWI and DUI.
DWI stands for “driving while impaired.” A DWI can be charged when a driver’s blood alcohol is measured at .04% to .07%. A DWI is a lesser offense than a DUI.
DUI stands for “driving under the influence.” Being charged with a DUI in Maryland means that your blood alcohol concentration posted at 0.08% or higher. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol present in a 100 milliliter (mL) volume of blood. A DUI is a more serious offense than a DWI.
If you are facing an Ocean City DWI or an Ocean City DUI charge in Maryland, an Ocean City drunk driving attorney can help. The attorneys at Maronick Law LLC have experience fighting Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Baltimore, Essex, Ocean City, Towson, White Marsh DUI/DWI charges.
Maronick Law LLC is open during the pandemic and continues to meet your legal needs. We can meet with you remotely if you have access to Zoom. You can contact Thomas Maronick at 410-402-5571 or via our website for a free consultation.