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Glen Burnie DUI Lawyers

1. Siegel, Robert: Do Not Go To Trial Unprotected If you are facing DUI/DWI charges, you may only get one chance to represent yourself. Prior to your court date, there are important deadlines that must be met. Many people, when they do not understand the legal process, erroneously assume they know what to do. Do not assume that you will get a second chance to defend yourself. The prosecution is working for the state; they are working against you. If you want to be on an equal playing field, it is important to work with a lawyer who will fight aggressively to protect your rights. In Maryland, people facing DUI/DWI charges must deal with both administrative sanctions and criminal penalties. The Department of Motor Vehicles has a hearing to determine whether you will be able to retain your license. In addition, the court has a hearing to determine what the possible criminal sanctions against you will be. * Did the officer have reasonable articulable suspicion to pull you over? * Did the officer follow proper procedures in performing the field sobriety test? * Did the officer have probable cause to arrest you? Reviewing the reason for pulling you over is an important part of your case. Many people do not understand the DUI/DWI defenses that can be used to protect them from charges.
2. Forman & Zide: * Immigration Law * DUI, DWI & Traffic Matters * Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice * Family Law * Wills, Estates & Elder Law * Contracts & Business Law * Criminal Defense & Juvenile Defense * Administrative Hearings * Real Estate Law
3. O'Neill,Peter: DUI Defense Maryland Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys If you have been stopped for DUI, you probably have a few questions: * Will my driver's license be suspended? * How can I prevent jail time? * How high will the fines be? * Will I now have a permanent criminal record?
4. Kodzis, Richard: Maryland's Two-Tier System In Maryland, drivers stopped for drunk driving may be charged with DWI or DUI, depending or blood alcohol level. If the blood alcohol level is .07 or greater, drivers may face the lesser charge of DWI; if it is .08 or higher, this will result in a DUI charge. In both cases, drivers face both an administrative process and a court proceeding. A test refusal can also result in charges. Administrative Consequences Drivers charged with either DWI or DUI have only 10 days from the date of the arrest to request an MVA hearing to avoid the automatic suspension of a driver's license. In addition, a DWI conviction could lead to the imposition of 8 points on the driver's record. A driver convicted of DUI may have his or her license revoked and 12 points assessed on his or her driving record. Criminal Penalties Aside from the administrative penalties drivers may face, they will also face criminal charges, with the possibility of fines and imprisonment. For a first DWI offense, a driver may be subject to a fine of up to $500 and two months in prison. A driver convicted of DUI faces up to $1,000 in fines and one year in jail for a first offense. For a subsequent offense, the fines and penalties can be multiplied. The good news is that drivers can prevail at the hearing and in court. For example, the police officer administering the roadside sobriety test may not have followed proper procedures, or the device measuring blood alcohol level may not have been properly calibrated.
5. Jimeno & Gray: The most important thing to know if you are charged with a crime is that you have experienced criminal defense lawyers working and fighting for you, and explaining your rights to you.
6. Fischer & Putzi: The first line of defense is to challenge the reason that you were stopped. There are many things that you need to do before appearing in front of a judge. We know what these things are and we strongly urge you to move quickly and contact us if you have been arrested or cited for a traffic offense. If it is your first arrest, the goal is make sure that you can continue driving. For second offenses, the goal is often to keep you out of jail and able to continue providing for your family.
7. Joseph LaMore:

   An individual charged with DUI or DWI not only faces the potential for jail time, substantial fines and strict probation, but also loss of their drivers license, cancelled auto insurance or significantly increased insurance rates.

   The majority of DUI cases will result in two completely separate proceedings, which occur on separate dates, before two separate entities, each of which can impose serious and separate sanctions.

   1)  The first proceeding is an MVA hearing

            This hearing is held at the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and presided over by an Administrative Law Judge.

            Potential sanctions the Administrative Law Judge may impose include: suspension of your driving privileges, installation of the ignition interlock on your vehicle, referral of your case to the State medical advisory board for further sanctions, placement of an alcohol restriction on your license.

            If you fail to PROPERLY request an MVA hearing within 10 days of your arrest, it is possible that your license may be suspended without a hearing.

   2)  The second proceeding is a Court or Jury Trial

   1. Trial will be held in the county, city or federal courthouse in the jurisdiction where you are charged.
   2. Your case will be decided by a Judge or a Jury.
   3. Potential punishments include jail time, fines, and supervised probation with numerous requirements at the Judges discretion.
   4. If you are convicted in Court, the MVA may then attempt to suspend or sanction your driving privilege a second time, based upon this conviction.

   If you are charged with a DUI or DWI offense, it is imperative that you promptly contact a lawyer so that you do not miss deadlines or compromise your rights.

8. Edward Midlebrooks: Being charged with drinking and driving / DUI could cost you much more than your drivers license. It could mean harsh fines, jail time, or both. Even if you have been charged with DUI or another serious traffic offense, you still have rights.
9. John Smith: Criminal law is the body of law that relates to so-called "public wrongs." Criminal law does not concern itself with disputes between individuals, but relates to offenses against the public order. The federal government, along with cities and states, define and prosecute people who commit crimes that range from minor traffic violations, to serious, violent offenses, like rape or murder. People who are charged with a crime are called defendants, and they are represented by criminal defense attorneys. The governmental body that pursues the charges against the defendant is represented by a lawyer called a prosecutor. If you find yourself charged with a crime, you need the legal counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney, to protect your rights now, and in the future.
10. Alan Forman: There are very few experiences with the law more frightening than facing a criminal charge. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony, in state or federal court, you should have the advice, guidance, and representation of an experienced criminal attorney. A criminal conviction can result in large fines, lengthy probation, and significant jail or prison time.
11. Richard Kodzis: Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws make it unlawful to operate a vehicle while 1) impaired by the effects of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medication, or 2) intoxicated at a level beyond set DUI/DWI standards, such as blood-alcohol count (BAC). Many states carry "implied consent" laws requiring that licensed drivers submit to a chemical test if suspected of DUI or DWI. Costs and criminal penalties associated with DUI/DWI vary according to the circumstances of the offense, but license suspension, fines, and jail time are typical consequences.
12. Henault & Sysko: Many people overlook the importance of having an attorney represent them in criminal matters or Motor Vehicle Administration hearings . Those charged with criminal offenses that most people consider relatively minor may, nevertheless, risk serious fines and imprisonment if convicted. Furthermore, a finding of guilt may not be the most economical, long-range result.