Electric scooters, often called e-scooters, are a popular way to get around in Maryland cities. They’re easy to use, affordable, and can help you avoid traffic jams. However, as convenient as they are, many people aren’t aware that operating an e-scooter while under the influence could lead to serious legal problems. You may be wondering, “Is it really possible to get a DUI on an e-scooter?” The short answer is yes. Here in Maryland, you [...]

After you’re convicted of a DUI and serve out your penalties, you may think your problems are over. Unfortunately, a DUI conviction in Maryland is more than just paying a ticket and forgetting about it – it’s a serious event that can affect every aspect of your life. It’s rare here in Maryland to get your DUI expunged, which means that your conviction can follow you forever, showing up in background checks and limiting all [...]

Maryland changed its DUI laws on October 1, 2024, with new requirements for ignition interlock devices and the ability to expunge some DUI charges. Here is a rundown of the changes. Mandatory ignition interlocks A new provision of “Noah’s Law” recently became effective, closing what many considered a dangerous loophole in Maryland’s DUI legislation. Noah’s Law is named after Officer Noah Leotta, a Montgomery County police officer who was killed by a drunk driver while on [...]

Many people are unaware that they can receive a DUI (driving under the influence) for taking prescription drugs if that medication affects their driving capabilities. In Bowie, Dunkirk, and across Maryland, such accusations are considered serious crimes, often leading to some of the most challenging legal battles. The good news is that a professional drug DUI attorney knows the laws surrounding these issues and what the prosecutor must prove for the charges to hold up. [...]

Field sobriety tests (FSTs) are a staple in roadside DUI investigations. These standardized tests, consisting of the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand, aim to assess a driver's physical coordination and mental state. Ideally, these tests provide officers with probable cause to suspect alcohol impairment. However, this overlooked element often gets sidelined: the significant influence of medical conditions on FST performance. This can lead to misinterpretations and potentially wrongful DUI arrests in Bowie and [...]

Many Maryland drivers are charged and convicted of driving under the influence in another state. They are likely to have a number of questions when that happens. These questions may arise if a driver is: Convicted of a DUI in another state and then subsequently charged with a DUI in Maryland Convicted of a DUI in Maryland and then charged with a DUI in another state Applies for a Maryland driver’s license after the DUI [...]

Noah’s Law is a Maryland drunk driving law that requires that anyone who is convicted of certain alcohol-related driving offenses must install and use an ignition interlock device system (IID). The law, formally titled “The Drunk Driving Reduction Act Of 2016,” is named after Noah Leotta, a 24-year-old police officer, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver at a sobriety checkpoint. The requirement of Noah’s Law to install and use an IID applies [...]

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) are serious criminal charges. If you are found guilty, you will likely be imprisoned, fined, lose your right to drive, and face other consequences. You may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle. An IID tests your breath before and while you’re driving for evidence of alcohol. A DUI or DWI can even affect your ability to work or find [...]

Public intoxication laws vary according to state. In Maryland, drinking alcoholic beverages in a public place is illegal and may result in fines of as much as $100, up to 90 days in jail, or a combination of the two. Since fighting the charges on your own might prove difficult, obtaining the assistance of a qualified Maryland criminal defense lawyer is generally a wise move to make. What is public intoxication? Public intoxication laws in [...]

In Maryland, alcohol education classes typically mean educational programs or courses designed to provide individuals with information and skills related to alcohol use, abuse, and its consequences. These classes are often offered as part of the state's efforts to address issues related to alcohol abuse, impaired driving, and public safety. Who attends alcohol education classes in Maryland? Alcohol education classes are typically attended by individuals who are required to complete them as part of a [...]

Here in Maryland, DUIs and DWIs are misdemeanors. This does not mean you shouldn’t take these charges very, very seriously – especially if you are facing a second or third offense. Understanding the potential consequences, and jail time, is important if you have been charged with a drunk driving offense. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Maryland is against the law. There are two types of drinking and driving offenses in our [...]

In most cases, DUI offenses by themselves are misdemeanors. DUIs may become felonies if additional circumstances add to the severity of the offense, such as if someone is killed. Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, there are often defenses. The police may not be able to prove that you were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at the time of the offense. Breath tests and blood tests may not be admissible [...]

Finding out that your child is facing a DUI charge is a stressful situation for any parent. Regardless of their age, if this is your child’s first criminal charge, they are likely reeling from the incident. From future implications to social stigma, this event can have a significant impact on their self-image during key developmental years. As a parent, your child needs your support and guidance during this challenging time, even though frustration is an [...]

Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are a tool used by authorities in preventing drunk driving incidents and improving road safety. However, certain misconceptions and myths surrounding IIDs can hinder their acceptance and effectiveness. If you are facing using an IID in your vehicle, it is important to understand the truth behind what they are, in order to allow one to work most effectively for you. Today’s blog aims to dispel some common myths and promote a [...]

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Maryland, and it can come with serious consequences as well. Apart from legal troubles and hefty fines, a DUI conviction can also have a significant impact on your car insurance rates. After a driver has been caught with at least an .08% blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level while behind the wheel, many insurance companies will deem them a risk—and being seen as a risk can negatively [...]

Dealing with a DUI charge can be an extremely stressful experience. One mistake of getting behind the wheel after a few drinks can cost you months of legal troubles—and maybe even your freedom. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were 11,654 people killed in car crashes where at least 1 driver was intoxicated in 2020. With numbers this high, it is no wonder why law enforcement has been cracking down on [...]

Last December, some police got a call about a suspected drunk driver. They did find an erratic driver, and what they would do next would change the driver’s life – and for the better. However, this isn’t a story of someone with an alcohol dependency hitting rock bottom. In fact, it’s a story of someone having a medical episode behind the wheel and the police officers who realized she needed assistance. Good Morning America (GMA) [...]

In Maryland, lawmakers and families are trying to close a “loophole” in the state’s DUI law. They want to close this loophole because they do not believe their family members who were killed in drunk driving accidents received the justice they deserved, and they say that closing the loophole will save lives. The reason why these families believe that there is a loophole is because drivers who receive probation before judgment (PBJ) can avoid getting [...]

Accidents are more common—and more deadly—when alcohol is involved because it can slow down your reaction time, impair your muscle coordination, cause poor judgment, and more. Each of these factors on their own make it dangerous to operate a vehicle, but all of them combined can make it deadly. Accidents caused by drunk drivers are always 100% preventable, but that does not make them any less prevalent. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [...]

Yes – it’s always worth it to fight a DUI. Generally, you should always contest a driving under the influence (DUI) or a driving while impaired (DWI) charge at the start. This means that you should call our law office as soon as possible so we can explain all your rights, defenses, and options. It’s normally never an option to plead guilty at the initial arraignment. In many cases, even when it seems like the [...]

Driving under the influence is a serious crime that comes with serious penalties especially if it’s more than your first offense. Driving while intoxicated is not only a dangerous decision, but also one that can affect you for the rest of your life. From fines to jail time, to not being able to go to the college you want, get the job you want, or even the apartment you want, DUI charges have lasting repercussions [...]

A Maryland police officer who suspects that you are driving while intoxicated will likely flash the lights of their vehicle and/or sound the siren. Whether you’re on a highway or a local road, you will need to pull over to the shoulder or to any place where it is safe to stop. The officer will then likely knock on your passenger window and ask you to step out of the car. The officer will also [...]

If you have been charged and convicted with either driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) in Maryland, after you have served your time and paid your penalties, you are likely eager to put it all behind you. As part of the process of moving past this period of your life, you may be wondering if it is possible to have your drunk driving conviction wiped from your criminal record. Although there [...]

Each year, state and federal governments – along with grassroots activists and non-profits – look for ways to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the roads. They do this legislation, through tougher laws for DUI offenses, by setting up check stops, and more. The latest effort is a new piece of vehicle technology: alcohol detection sensors. The government is working on legislation that will require alcohol detection sensors in every new vehicle. These sensors [...]

Nobody wants an arrest – or charge, or conviction – for driving under the influence (DUI). We go to great lengths to avoid it, from assigning a designated driver to staying sober to calling a rideshare instead. What if these options fall through and you are left alone with your vehicle? You certainly do not want to leave it to chance, so you put your keys in your pocket and decide to “sleep it off” [...]