Expert Advice from a Maryland DUI Lawyer

DUI lawyers have friends, yes they don’t work all the time, other non-lawyers actually want to spend time with them; or so I’m told. Those DUI lawyers are often asked various questions about the DUI & DWI process and what happens if you’re charged with drunk driving.

DUI Lawyers Tell Their Friends

Below are some of the most common conversations that DUI lawyers tell their friends. While this is not a post on how to get out of a DUI or DWI, these are legal suggestions that you can use if facing a DUI arrest and prosecution.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Drinking and driving could be one of the most dangerous actions, as it puts the drunk driver and innocent drivers and pedestrians at risk. DUI lawyers often advise their friends that it’s not worth taking the chance getting behind the wheel after having too many drinks. That being said, while it’s not a crime to drink and drive, it is a crime to drink too much or two level of impairment and drive a motor vehicle. If you are planning on drinking and have to get somewhere, use a ride sharing app or taxi to get home safely.

You Don’t Have to Take the Tests

As the law stands now, in Maryland, there is no requirement that a driver who has been stopped for drunk driving submit to field sobriety test or breath / blood alcohol test. Field sobriety tests are typically conducted on the roadside by the police officer if he or she suspects the driver has consumed alcohol prior to driving.

Drivers do not have to take these tests and are often advised by defense lawyers to refrain from providing additional evidence to the police if they’re suspected of drunk driving. DUI lawyers will tell their friends that they don’t have to take the test on the roadside but there may be administrative penalties if you refuse a breath or blood test.

The breath test is typically administered at the police station on a machine called an intoximeter. The police officer will transport the driver back to the police station, read the driver their rights as it pertains to administrative penalties, and ask them to submit to a test. If the driver refuses to take the test, there will be administrative sanctions against their license and privilege to drive. It may also result in the requirement to enroll in the ignition interlock program.

Call your DUI lawyer

DUI lawyers will tell their friends that if they get pulled over and charged with a DUI that they should contact their Maryland DUI lawyer soon as possible. By contacting Rice, Murtha & Psoras you can speak with a DUI lawyer and schedule a consultation to discuss your drunk driving charges.

Starting to prepare for a DUI defense is important and he sensual that a successful outcome. Drunk driving charges not only can affect your job, but it may also adversely affect your privilege to drive and your ability to conduct everyday tasks that require a motor vehicle.

You Don’t Have to Answer Any Questions

There is no requirement under the law that you answer the police officer’s questions. You are required to provide your driver’s license, registration and in some cases proof of insurance. However, you have the right to remain silent. Any words or statements that you made to the police can and will be used against you when you appear before the court.

Admissions such as how much you had to drink or the cadence of your speech can prove detrimental in your defense. The prosecutor who will be handling your case will look for clues and additional evidence from your behavior at the scene as well as throughout the arrest process to prove your case in court. So, keeping your mouth shut may prove beneficial to you in the long run.

Maryland DUI Lawyers Here to Help

While DUI lawyers may tell their friends these tips, they’re not an excuse to avoid a DUI or DWI charge, but merely advisement of their rights. Drunk driving charges can cause great stress and concern for the accused. Hiring a skilled DUI lawyer can prove beneficial and helpful in securing your freedom. If you’ve been charged with DUI or you’re facing drunk driving charges in Maryland, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.