Posted on August 01, 2024 in English

Facing a drunk driving charge can turn your world upside down. The fear of losing your driver’s license might keep you up at night, wondering how you’ll get to work, pick up your kids or simply maintain your independence. But here’s the good news: you can always reclaim your driving privileges.

Maryland has a reinstatement process to help drivers regain their licenses and get their lives back on track. In this blog, we’ll break down the reinstatement journey, offering clear guidance and practical tips to help you navigate this challenging time.

What is the process for reinstatement?

In Maryland, the reinstatement process hinges on specific waiting periods, which vary based on the number of previous revocations. For a first-time revocation, drivers must wait six months before requesting reinstatement. This period increases to 12 months for a second revocation, 18 months for a third and 24 months for four or more suspensions.

The waiting time starts on the day the driver surrenders their license or the suspension date, whichever occurs later. Once the waiting period is over, you can file your request.

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 Posted on July 29, 2024 in English

Enjoying a night out with friends can be a highlight of the week. Still, it is crucial to consider your safety and others when done partying.

While taking a cab or using rideshare services might seem like an extra expense, it is a small price to pay compared to the potential cost of a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction.

Drunk driving can lead to criminal charges

In Maryland, as in most states, drivers aged 21 and older may operate as long as their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) stays within 0.08%, the legal limit. For those who drive commercial vehicles, the limit is 0.04%. For those under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol is illegal. For a first offense of driving with a BAC at or above this limit, you might face:

• Up to $1,000 in fines
• Maximum one year in jail

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 Posted on July 09, 2024 in English

If you are a young driver in Maryland, underage drinking and driving can be a dangerous gamble that can derail your future. The state takes these offenses seriously and the penalties can be harsh.

Understanding your situation is the first step to protecting your rights and your future. This blog will break down the potential consequences of underage drinking and impaired driving in the state.

The consequences of drinking for young drivers

Drivers under 21 may be fined $500 if they are caught buying, possessing or consuming alcohol. The fine doubles if they repeat the offense.

Violating alcohol restriction laws in the state may also result in license suspension. Moreover, offenders will have to participate in an ignition interlock program.

Owning fake identification cards is also punishable by law in Maryland. Those under 21 possessing fake IDs may have to pay a fine of $500 and even spend two months in jail. This violation also adds 12 points to a driver’s record and may lead to the revocation of their driving privileges.

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 Posted on May 24, 2024 in English

The breathalyzer can seem like a foolproof tool for measuring blood alcohol content (BAC). But how accurate can it really be?

Breathalyzers work by measuring the amount of alcohol in your breath. They convert the data collected to an estimated BAC using a specific ratio. In theory, it’s a clean process. However, things get interesting when considering factors that can influence accuracy.

Routine calibration

Like any instrument, breathalyzers need regular calibration to ensure consistent results. Maryland has strict protocols for the calibration procedure, but any lapse in maintenance can lead to faulty readings. An attorney can challenge the test’s validity if calibration records are missing or incomplete.

Maryland uses two types of breathalyzers. The first is Preliminary Breath Tests (PBTs) for roadside screening, which are hand-held breathalyzer units used by police officers on individuals suspected of by asking them to DUI to blow into it while on the side of the road. PBTs are less accurate than the stationary machines used at police stations and are not admissible as evidence in court.

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 Posted on May 13, 2024 in English

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a severe offense. It is usually treated as a misdemeanor in Maryland, and an individual may face penalties like fines, license suspension, and community service.

However, there are situations where a DUI can elevate to a felony, resulting in harsher consequences. Understanding the situation can help you make responsible decisions and avoid a more serious charge.

When does a DUI become a felony?

The key factor that bumps a DUI misdemeanor up to a felony is when the accident causes serious injury or death. If an individual driving under the influence severely hurts or kills someone, they might face felony charges for crimes like vehicular assault or manslaughter. These charges may come with significant jail time, hefty fines and a permanent mark on their criminal record.

While a high blood alcohol content (BAC) is not enough to automatically turn a DUI into a felony, it can increase the severity of the charges, especially if combined with other factors. Maryland has a standard BAC limit of .08, but a BAC of .15 or higher can be considered an aggravating factor in a DUI case. If the driver is under 21 years old and their BAC is .02 or higher, they may face serious DUI charges.

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 Posted on May 06, 2024 in English

A driving under the influence (DUI) charge can hurt an adult’s future and, even more so, a child’s. As a parent, it’s important to know what can happen to your child with an underage DUI conviction. Although this might seem intimidating, the purpose here isn’t to scare you. It’s about educating and preventing an issue before it starts.

By understanding this, you’re taking a big step to help your child avoid serious mistakes, including those that might be uncomfortable to discuss.

Impact on education

A DUI conviction can significantly affect your child’s educational opportunities. Take college admissions, for example. Colleges and universities often ask about criminal convictions as part of their application process. If your child has a DUI on their record, it could limit their opportunities for admission.

Even if they gain acceptance, the conviction might impact their eligibility for scholarships or participation in specific programs or extracurricular activities. Suddenly, your child’s dream school might feel out of reach.

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 Posted on May 04, 2024 in English

If a driver is suspected by police of driving under the influence, Maryland police officers have a few different ways to tell if the driver is impaired. Most of the time, the officer will ask the driver to step out of the vehicle and take field sobriety tests. Field sobriety tests are assessments conducted by officers to gauge a person’s sobriety. The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), is made up of three different tests that evaluate an individual’s ability to execute tasks correctly.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)

The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus is the involuntary jerking of a person’s eye when it goes to the side. Alcohol use will exacerbate the jerking movements. To administer the test, an officer will ask the driver to follow a moving object with their eyes. The officer will look for involuntary jerking of the driver’s eyes.

Walk and turn

The walk-and-turn test is used to gauge balance. The officer will ask the driver to take at least nine steps heel-to-toe in a straight line, then turn on one foot before repeating the process in the opposite direction. The driver may also be asked to count aloud with each step.

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 Posted on April 18, 2024 in English

When police officers in Maryland stop a driver whom they suspect is impaired, they may ask the driver to take a series of field sobriety tests. These standardized field sobriety tests are utilized by officers to gauge a person’s impairment due to alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement agencies can use field sobriety test results to establish probable cause for DUI arrests, so many people assume that the tests are infallible and accurate. However, these tests are not 100% accurate.

Accuracy of field sobriety tests 

In the late 1970s, a study was conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Southern California Research Institute (SCRI) to evaluate the accuracy of dozens of field sobriety tests. In the study, the SCRI asked 10 officers to watch subjects perform various tests. After viewing the subjects, they asked the officers to decide whether the participants had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .10 or higher.  

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 Posted on March 31, 2024 in English

Anyone from all walks of life here in Maryland and across the nation can occasionally make a mistake. No matter one’s status in society, if that mistake involves driving while under the influence of alcohol, the potential consequences could be life-altering. Fortunately, there is professional support available to everyone who suddenly faces DUI and other related criminal charges no matter the unique circumstances of the arrest.

Prominent reality television star Karen Huger of the Real Housewives of Potomac is facing criminal charges after recently wrecking her vehicle. The incident took place late on a Tuesday night in Montgomery County. Law enforcement alleges that Huger’s vehicle went over a median before striking two different traffic signs. Her vehicle reportedly suffered extensive damage, leaving it inoperable.

What reportedly took place after the accident?  

Authorities transported Huger to the police station in the aftermath of the accident and subsequently placed her under arrest. She was charged with negligent driving, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol and driving under the influence. The reality star later expressed her thankfulness to have survived the incident, including her claims that she was nearly hit by another vehicle that drove away before authorities arrived on the scene.

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 Posted on March 21, 2024 in English

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an ongoing and very concerning problem in Maryland. Every year, hundreds of people are injured or killed in accidents caused by impaired or drunk drivers. Law enforcement agencies across the state are increasing patrols and conducting frequent DUI checkpoints to keep roads safe and combat drunk driving in Maryland.

Recent DUI crackdown 

Recently in Montgomery County, law enforcement agencies conducted a DUI crackdown over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The crackdown was spearheaded by officers from the Montgomery County Police Department along with troopers from the Maryland State Police. Reports said officers made a total of 13 DUI arrests and one criminal arrest over the weekend while making 82 traffic stops.

Officers said they also issued 129 traffic citations, 64 traffic warnings and 21 safety repair orders during the crackdown. Reportedly, this data does not include arrests made by patrol officers on duty and only includes arrests made by saturation patrol detail officers. Therefore, police said the total number of DUI arrests made over the weekend is likely higher.

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