Wheaton, MD DUI Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Helping People Who Have Been Arrested for DUI in Wheaton, Maryland

A DUI arrest will often begin with something as simple as a broken taillight or a missed turn signal. A police officer may stop a driver for a minor traffic violation, but based on observations of the driver's behavior, they may believe that the driver is intoxicated. They may then take additional steps to gather evidence and determine whether they can make an arrest. Based on the driver's words and actions during the traffic stop, including any roadside sobriety tests they take, an officer may take them into custody and charge them with DUI.

The lawyers at the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder work with people in Wheaton who have been arrested for DUI, helping them determine the best steps to take to avoid a conviction and prevent or reduce penalties that could affect their lives, such as a driver's license suspension, fines of thousands of dollars, or potential time behind bars. We will look at all aspects of a case, addressing what happened during a traffic stop, the procedures followed by police officers, the tests that were performed, and administrative license suspension proceedings. With our help, clients can take steps to minimize the impact that DUI charges may have on their lives.

Reasons Officers May Stop Drivers Who Are Suspected of Drunk Driving

Before an officer can stop a vehicle, the law requires them to have a reason to believe that the driver has violated the law. While an officer may think that a driver has been drinking alcohol, they cannot stop the driver based solely on a vague belief. They have to have a reasonable suspicion of an offense.

In many cases, officers will stop drivers because of violations other than DUI. They may measure a vehicle's speed and stop a driver who has gone a few miles per hour over the speed limit. They may observe a driver who failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or who did not use their turn signal correctly. Traffic stops may be based on other violations, such as a taillight that is not functioning correctly. While the stated reason for a traffic stop may be a traffic violation, an officer may actually be looking for signs of intoxication when they speak to the driver so that they can arrest the driver for DUI.

Challenging the Legality of a Traffic Stop

Our attorneys will look at whether a police officer had a legitimate reason to stop a vehicle. We can review body camera footage, dash camera recordings, and reports filed by officers to compare thestated reason for a traffic stopagainst what actually happened on the road. If a stop was based on a mistaken understanding of traffic law, an equipment issue that did not actually exist, or observations that do not hold up under scrutiny, we can take steps to show that the traffic stop should not have happened in the first place. When a court agrees that a stop was unlawful, evidence gathered afterward may be excluded from a DUI case.

Field Sobriety Tests and Their Limitations

After stopping a driver who is suspected of DUI, an officer will be looking to gather information that will allow them to perform an arrest. In many cases, officers will ask drivers to perform field sobriety tests. These may include a test in which a person will walk in a straight line, and an officer will watch to see if they step off the line or fail to follow instructions correctly. Another test may require a person to stand on one foot, and if they lose their balance when doing so, an officer may believe that they are intoxicated. An officer may also ask a person to follow a moving object with their eyes, and the officer will watch for eye movements that may indicate intoxication.

Field sobriety tests are meant to detect signs of impairment, but the results of these tests are based on how an officer evaluates a person's performance. Officers may be biased, and they may misinterpret test results because they already believe that a person is intoxicated. Other factors may also affect how a person performs. Uneven pavement, dim lighting on the side of the road, nervousness in front of a police officer, and other factors that have nothing to do with intoxication can cause a person to lose their balance or perform poorly in other ways. Certain medical conditions, such as inner ear disorders, joint injuries, or back problems, could also lead to results that are similar to impairment.

Our lawyers can review dashcam and body camera footage captured during a traffic stop to determine whether field sobriety tests were performed correctly. We can look at the instructions an officer gave during tests and highlight the ways they failed to follow standardized procedures. We can also provide evidence about a client's physical condition and the environment at the scene of a traffic stop to show that a person's level of intoxication was evaluated incorrectly.

Building a Complete DUI Defense Strategy

In addition to addressing what happened during a traffic stop, our attorneys can evaluate chemical tests performed after an arrest and other factors that may affect a case. We will identify the best options for defense, and we will advise our clients on the best steps they can take to defend against DUI convictions.

We also make sure clients are fully prepared for what to expect at each court date. We will explain the issues that may affect a case and the strategies we will use to defend against a conviction. Our goal is tominimize the concerns clients may face as they address DUI charges by explaining what will happen when they appear in court and coaching them on how to respond to any questions they may be asked. We can also make sure clients are dressed appropriately and will present the best possible image to a judge.

Contact Our Wheaton DUI Defense Lawyers

While the penalties you may face after being arrested for DUI can be serious, you have options for defense. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyers will evaluate the evidence in your case and the procedures followed by police to determine the ideal strategies that will help you avoid a conviction. To learn how we can help you defend against DUI charges, contact our Wheaton, MD DUI attorneys at 301-762-7500 and arrange your free consultation.