In the case of a DUI traffic stop, the officer needs to have a reason to pull the car over prior to doing so. This is to prevent police officers from randomly stopping cars until they find a drunk driver. That being said, they do not have to have evidence of...
Experience You Need. Results You Want.
You can fail field sobriety tests if you’re sober
In many cases, a police officer who pulls you over on suspicion of drunk driving will ask you to do field sobriety tests. They may use these if they don’t have a portable breath test or simply as a way to determine if you’re intoxicated before giving you that test....
Do sobriety checkpoints violate my rights?
Summer is almost here and with it comes a season full of parties, festivals, barbecues and weddings. As the celebrations begin, the police will be setting up sobriety checkpoints throughout the country. Their aim is to identify impaired drivers in order to keep the...
Can you drive if you’re just buzzed?
You've had a few drinks with your friends, and you can slightly feel the buzz from the alcohol. But your group of friends has very consistent drinking habits, so you certainly don't feel drunk. Your alcohol tolerance is high enough that you're just buzzed. If you were...
It pays to get a designated driver on New Year’s Eve
If you plan on going out with family and friends on New Year's Eve, it may be wise to get a designated driver. This is a holiday that often involves a greater level of drinking than you would see on a normal night, and there's nothing wrong with that type of...
When are sobriety checkpoints legal in Maryland?
Most traffic law enforcement occurs on a case-by-case basis. If police officer spots someone driving erratically or breaking the law, they will pull that person over and likely cite them. Sometimes, like when they suspect impaired driving, they could arrest the...
What must you do during a field sobriety test?
Unless you cause a crash or hurt someone, a police officer can't summarily arrest you for suspected drunk driving. They need to develop probable cause to request further testing. How the driver answers a few questions about their behavior that day could give a police...
An Intro to Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program
If you have been stopped for drinking and driving, one of the things you may have learned is that those who are convicted may have to use an ignition interlock device. This device, also abbreviated IID, is used to test a driver’s blood alcohol concentration before...
Drinking with a minor in your vehicle can lead to harsh penalties
Whether you’ve had a single drink or several, it’s never a good idea to drive. It’s an even worse idea to get behind the wheel with your children in your vehicle after you've been drinking. Why? The reality is that parents are expected to take steps to keep their...
The Mounting Consequences Of Repeat DUIs
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about a third of all drivers arrested for DUI are repeat offenders. Additionally, many drivers aren’t aware that the consequences of a DUI get more severe with each repeat offense. That means you could...