Maryland Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys
Drunk Driving Information
At Alpert Schreyer, our attorneys have over 20 years of experience helping people in Maryland fight their drunk driving charges. Our lead DUI defense attorney, Andrew Alpert, is one of the most well-known and well-respected DUI lawyers in the State of Maryland.
We can help, even if your case seems hopeless.
1-866-444-6363
Our firm represents people charged with DUI and drunk driving offenses in Bethesda, Anne Arundel County and throughout Maryland, including Rockville, Gaithersburg, Oxon Hill, Glen Burnie, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, Annapolis, Bowie, College Park and Greenbelt. Contact us today for your free consultation!
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More than 1.4 million drivers in the U.S. were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs last year. Law enforcement officers nationwide are stepping up their enforcement of the drunk driving laws, largely in response to public outcry and the influence of lobbying groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). If you find yourself caught up in this crackdown, you need a Maryland DUI attorney with experience defending drunk driving cases to look out for your interests and to help you get the best results possible. Maryland Drunk Driving/DUI - An OverviewThe crime of drunk driving in Maryland is also known as "driving under the influence," or DUI, and "driving while intoxicated," or DWI. In some states, the crime may be known as "operating while intoxicated, or OWI, or "operating under the influence," or OUI. The names vary according to how state laws refer to or define the crime. Whatever the name, the state laws all have a common aim of punishing those who drive while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. A drunk driving conviction carries with it serious and long-lasting consequences: jail or prison time, a heavy fine, and suspension or revocation of a driver's license. A person who is facing a drunk driving charge should not hesitate to seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced Maryland drunk driving defense attorney. Parole & Probation in Drunk Driving CasesParole and probation are both supervisory-type mechanisms employed in the punishment phase of the criminal justice process. Parole comes into play after a person has been imprisoned and is released. Alternatively, probation refers to a criminal sentence, separate and distinct from incarceration. Probation is the most frequent sentence imposed and typically involves releasing the convicted offender into the community subject to a list of terms and conditions. The actual terms can vary widely, based on the underlying crime, the characteristics of the offender, and the resources of the probation system. All probations are subject to a requirement that the offender refrains from committing further crimes. Persons convicted of drunk driving in Maryland may be placed on probation, or for subsequent offenses they may be given a jail or prison term and then paroled, subject to continuing supervision. Lawyers experienced in criminal defense and drunk driving law can explain the spectrum of possible punishments for drunk driving offenders and describe the differences in the possible sentences in greater detail. The Prosecutor's Role in a Drunk Driving CaseProsecution refers to the government's role in the criminal justice system. When criminal activity is suspected, it is often up to the government to investigate, arrest, charge, and bring the alleged offender to trial. Prosecutors are the lawyers who work for the government and who are responsible for developing and presenting the government's case against a defendant. Prosecutors may be called county attorneys, city attorneys, or district attorneys. The prosecutor is the opponent or "adversary" of the criminal defendant and his or her attorney; the two sides go head-to-head against each other in court. Because these public attorneys focus their energies on prosecuting criminal cases, they are generally very experienced in criminal law, and it is therefore essential to have an experienced defense attorney. Thus, in order to best preserve a criminal defendant's rights and strike a fair balance in court, representation by an experienced criminal defense attorney, particularly one knowledgeable in drunk driving law, is a must. Challenging the Reliability of Breathalyzer Test ResultsIn all drunk driving cases, the prosecution must prove that the defendant's blood alcohol concentration at the time of the offense was at or above a statutory limit. In many states, the limit is .10 percent, but in others it is .08, and there is a national movement afoot to make .08 the limit in all states. In order to prove the requisite level of alcohol in the blood of someone arrested for drunk driving, it is necessary to obtain a suitable sample of the arrestee's blood, urine, or hair at the time of arrest. The use of a breath test is by far the most popular scientific method for establishing that drunk driving has occurred. Some defendants have been able to challenge the results of such tests in court successfully, thereby preventing a conviction. An attorney experienced in Maryland drunk driving defense law is in a strong position to advise a client whether the "Breathalyzer" test results may be subject to challenge in his or her particular case. Drunk Driving and Auto InsuranceAfter serving a sentence and paying a fine, a person convicted of drunk driving is eager to return to life as it was before the charges. In most parts of the U.S., normal living-school, work, other activities- involves driving, and driving requires automobile insurance. While the worst parts of the charge may seem to be behind you, but you are then faced with yet another consequence: trying to obtain automobile insurance after a drunk driving conviction. An experienced DUI defense attorney can explain, and perhaps help you avoid, the range of consequences of a drunk driving conviction. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Drunk Driving/DUIQ: What is "blood-alcohol concentration" or "blood-alcohol level"? A: Blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) is the level of alcohol in the bloodstream from drinking alcoholic beverages. BAC readings are used in court as evidence in drunk-driving cases. The most common method of measure is a breath test, although blood and/or urine testing is sometimes done. A result of 08,or higher may establish a presumption of intoxication. The details of the .08 BAC presumption laws vary among the states, but all 50 states have adopted .08 as their official intoxication level, in large part because of a federal threat of otherwise withholding highway funds. Q: Can I refuse a Breathalyzer® test? A: Every state has its own version of an implied consent law providing that a driver impliedly consents to alcohol testing just by the act of driving. In many states, a refusal to take a breath test is itself a criminal violation subject to stiff penalties. For example, refusing a breath test might result in automatic drivers-license suspension or revocation. If you are ultimately found guilty of a drunk-driving offense, there may be additional penalties because of the test refusal, such as a stiffer sentence. Your test refusal may also be used as evidence against you in a drunk-driving case. |
Drunk Driving/DUI Resource Links
National Commission Against Drunk Driving
NCADD develops strategies and programs focusing on the reduction of incidents of driving while impaired.
Impaired Driving Division - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Developing partnerships to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care costs resulting from impaired driving.
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