Wicomico County DUI Charges | Eastern Shore Maryland

DUI Lawyers In Wicomico County, Maryland

The DUI laws in Maryland are pretty straightforward, but there can be a lot of factors surrounding a DUI charge. Although a DUI is a criminal offense, DUI charges are brought against you by the state and not by your victim or anyone else that was harmed as a result of the DUI incident. DUI charges mean that you will have to appear in court on the DUI charges and DUI offenses will stay on your record for an indefinite time period. DUI cases can be complicated depending on your case, but they do not have to be there are ways that you can help yourself in DUI cases.

Strict DUI Laws In Maryland

It’s important to note that the DUI laws in Maryland are strict, especially for repeat offenders or drivers under the age of 21. DUI is a crime that can be punishable as a misdemeanor or as a felony depending on your DUI history and any other factors surrounding your DUI case. DUI charges do not only encompass driving under the influence, but it also covers DUI’s where someone else was injured and DUI cases where you actually hurt someone. DUI penalties may include DUI fines, DUI jail time, and DUI license suspension. DUI charges can be very costly depending on your DUI case and the DUI penalties may include high DUI accident fees and DUI accident restitution.

DUI Charges VS DUI Arrest

A DUI charge is different from a DUI arrest because you do not actually have to be arrested for a DUI offense, but if you are arrested with any degree of DUI you will have to appear in court for DUI charges. DUI arrests can also come with DUI citations that are not criminal penalties, but they do indicate that the DUI police officer felt that there was enough probable cause for DUI charges. DUI arrests can become DUI convictions if the case goes to trial and it is up to the prosecutor to prove your DUI case beyond a reasonable doubt. DUI arrests can also come with DUI misdemeanors or DUI felonies depending on the DUI circumstances. For more information, contact our office to learn how. we may be able to help you.

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Does a Judge Always Have Discretion Over a Sentence?

Penalties Based On Crime

In a criminal case, penalties are typically decided by the severity of the crime. Generally, a criminal offense that does lesser harm to human life carries a lighter sentence than criminal offenses that do more harm.

For example, if you drink and drive with a child in your vehicle, you will likely receive a harsher punishment than if you hadn’t. In some cases, a judge cannot impose less than a mandatory minimum sentence. Here’s what you should understand.

Judges Can’t Decide to Lower Mandatory Minimum Sentences

There are two main parts of the American justice system. The first part involves determining whether a defendant is guilty or innocent. Then, their punishment must be determined during the second part. A judge can impose a variety of penalties such as incarceration, fines, and mandatory counseling in an attempt to reduce the defendant’s risk of recidivism.

Reducing Sentence

They can also decide to lessen a sentence if they believe counseling would be more effective than jail time, with the exception of crimes that require the issuance of a mandatory minimum sentence. In these cases, the judge may add time to the defendant’s sentencing but may not reduce it regardless of whether or not the judge believes the sentencing is too harsh.

What Criminal Offenses in Maryland Have Mandatory Minimums?

Like many other states, Maryland law requires minimum sentences to be issued in severe criminal cases. For example, defendants facing the following charges are highly likely to also be facing a mandatory minimum sentence:

Homicide
Rape
Child sex crimes
Child abuse
Felony assault
Second-time drug offenses
Certain firearms crimes
Violent crimes

Is It Possible to Circumvent Sentencing?

A plea deal can help you circumvent a mandatory minimum sentence. In exchange for a lesser charge without a mandatory minimum sentence, you promise the prosecutor you’ll plead guilty at the start of your trial. This may seem counterintuitive, however, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you negotiate lighter penalties during the sentencing phase of your trial. Ideally, this strategy results in the least severe punishment possible in your case.

Call the Experienced Attorneys at Britt Criminal Defense Now

Your future is on the line if you’re facing criminal charges that call for a mandatory minimum sentence. It’s crucial that you start working with an experienced Maryland criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Britt Criminal Defense for your case consultation today by calling 443-944-5705. We are standing by to assist you.

Do You Have to Submit to Field Sobriety Tests in Maryland?

Three Types Of Fied Sobriety Tests

When you are pulled over by a police officer and he or she suspects you have been drinking, you are usually asked to step out of the vehicle and perform three specific field sobriety tests. These tests are designed to determine if a person is too intoxicated to operate a vehicle and can be used in court against you either along with breathalyzer test results or alone. Here’s what you need to know about field sobriety tests and whether or not it’s legally required for you to submit to them in the state of Maryland. An experienced Criminal Defense Attorney can further explain your rights and responsibilities under the law.

The Subjectivity of Field Sobriety Tests

Although field sobriety tests are designed to be done the same way each time, they rely heavily on the observations of the testing officer. This makes the results largely subjective rather than factual. The testing officer will ask you to perform the tests and record his or her opinion on whether or not you performed the tests well enough to be considered sober and safe to drive or not. This can also lead to DWI Charges.

The Inaccuracy of Field Sobriety Tests

Field sobriety tests are also highly inaccurate. There are a number of medical conditions, environmental factors, and other issues that can cause false positives on field sobriety tests. For example, inner ear problems, vertigo, and Meniere’s disease can cause balance issues, which can result in failure to walk toe-to-toe in a straight line.

Do You Have to Consent?

In the state of Maryland, you do not have to consent to field sobriety tests in the same way you do a breathalyzer test. You will not be penalized if you decline to submit to field sobriety tests, however, it’s important to remember that you are required to submit to chemical testing (either breathalyzer, urine, or blood testing) or your license may be suspended. You can protect your rights during a traffic stop by politely declining to submit to field sobriety testing.

When to Contact an Experienced DWI Lawyer

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s important that you contact an experienced DWI attorney as soon as possible. This is especially true if you submitted to and failed field sobriety tests. Your attorney can argue against the administration, subjectivity, and inaccuracy of the tests and potentially have them removed as evidence.

To learn more about getting legal help for DWI charges or to book a consultation, contact Britt Criminal Defense at (443) 614-6881.

DUI or DWI And Car Insurance

You’ve likely heard that a DUI or DWI charge can raise your insurance rates. Here’s more about what you can expect from your insurance after a DUI.

Maryland Penalties for DUI and DWI

DUI and DWI are often charged as a misdemeanor, especially if it’s a first-time offense. However, the penalties are still quite harsh and can cost you hundreds of dollars in fines and your driver’s license. You may be incarcerated for a period of time and required to attend alcohol counseling. These penalties get harsher each time you are charged with a subsequent DWI. You’ll also see an impact to your car insurance. You may be dropped by your carrier entirely, or have to pay more for the same coverage you had. Shopping for new car insurance may also be difficult and costlier.

What Will Your Insurance Company Do to Evaluate Your Risk Post-DUI?

All insurance companies will assess your risk of being involved in an accident before deciding whether to offer you coverage and if so, for how much. Your driving and criminal records are usually pulled by your insurance carrier and the information they contained is used to determine your risk factor, or how likely you are to cause an accident. A DWI or DUI is a significant risk factor, as are other traffic offenses like negligent driving or speeding that are often charged along with drunk driving. The higher your risk is, the more difficulty your insurance carrier will have finding justification to offer you a policy.

What Happens if the DUI or DWI Was Committed by Someone Else Driving Your Car

If someone else was charged with a DWI while driving your vehicle, your own insurance should not be affected or impacted in any way. This is because it is the driver and not the vehicle that is insured. On the other hand, if you are driving someone else’s car and get a DUI, your own insurance will be impacted.

Why Contact a Maryland DUI/DWI Lawyer Now

Being charged with a DWI or DUI is life-changing. Not only will you face fines, jail time, and other legal consequences, but also with your relationships, career, and personal life. A DUI or DWI charge remains on your driving and criminal records for a period of time, which can make it harder for you to get a loan, find a job, buy a house or vehicle, or even obtain a college education.

Contact Britt Criminal Defense to learn more about how to defend your rights against DWI or DUI charges in Maryland. Call now for a consultation at 443-944-5705.

What Do Maryland Drug Recognition Experts Look For?

A Drug Recognition Expert, or DRE, is a police officer trained to determine if a person is driving under the influence of drugs, which isn’t as easy to assess as blood alcohol content (BAC). Here’s what DREs look for and when to get legal help.

The 12 Steps of DRE Protocol

Although the DRE protocol has 12 steps, many of them are subjective and aren’t based on fact:

1. Breath Test

A breathalyzer test will be administered to determine your BAC, arguably the most accurate of all the steps in the protocol.

2. Officer Interview

The DRE expert will interview the law enforcement officer that pulled you over to discuss the circumstances of the stop and the officer’s first impressions.

3. Initial Exam and Pulse Reading

An initial exam will be conducted to determine if the reason for the stop was caused by an injury or medical condition. Your pulse will be taken for the first time.

4. Eye Exam

The officer will check your eyes for convergence, ability to follow a light or object, the size of your pupils, reaction to light, and if nystagmus is present.

5. Field Sobriety Testing

You will be asked to submit to field sobriety tests, including horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, and one-leg stand.

6. Second Reading of Vital Signs

Next, the officer will check your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature for the second time.

7. Dark Room Exam

The Drug Recognition Expert will administer tests in a low light environment to check for pupil constriction or dilation and the presence of drugs in the oral or nasal cavities.

8. Muscle Tone Testing

Your muscles will be checked for tone, since some drugs cause the constriction or overrelaxation of muscles.

9. Third Reading of Vital Signs and Physical Exam

A physical exam will be conducted to look for evidence of drug use, such as injection sites on the arms or in between the fingers. Your pulse will be taken again for the last time.

10. Officer Observations

The officer will ask direct questions regarding drug and alcohol use and makes note of any other pertinent observations.

11. Drug Symptom Analysis

Next, the evidence obtained during the last several steps will be compared against known side effects of different types of drugs.

12. Toxicology Exam

You may also be asked to submit to a blood, urine, or hair follicle test to check for the presence of illegal substances or their metabolites.

Arrested for DUI? Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Were you arrested for driving under the influence? Don’t wait to get legal help from an experienced Maryland DUI attorney. Call Britt Criminal Defense at 443-944-5705 for a consultation.