The Importance of Qualified Maryland DUI Counsel

You have been arrested and charged with DUI (driving under the influence) in Maryland. This is a serious and stressful offense that can change your life if it results in a conviction or incarceration and a loss of your driver's license. What can you do?

Your first step in a DUI arrest is to realize that help is just a phone call away. Contact a qualified lawyer in Maryland who can sort out your situation and explain options to take immediate action in your case. Your timely call to a Maryland DUI lawyer may mean that you keep your license and also keep a drunk driving conviction off your record. Remember, you only have 10 days to act in order to protect your driver's license from suspension following a DUI arrest.

What is there to fight? Capable DUI counsel will determine if your arrest was conducted properly according to Maryland law. For instance, were you actually in physical control of your car at the time of the charge or had you pulled off to the side of the road to take a short nap before continuing? If you decide to stop driving and take a nap (sleep it off), you must remember to vacate the driver's seat of the car and sit in passenger or back seat of the car in order to protect against a judge finding you are still in "control of the car." You can be judged "in control" of your car if you are behind the wheel, even if you are sleeping. Your attorney will explain that Maryland state law says that judges and/or juries must consider certain factors to decide if a person is in control, such as whether a person is asleep at the time of arrest, whether the engine is running, or whether the headlights are on or off. That could make the difference between winning and losing your DUI trial. The location of your arrest is also important, different counties in Maryland, such as Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, tend to see things differently.

Qualified DUI counsel has appropriate knowledge of the Maryland state law concerning DUI and DWI (driving while intoxicated or impaired) infractions. For instance, were your sobriety test administered properly? The legal limit for alcohol in a Maryland driver's system is .08 but in reality it is much lower then that. The qualified DUI lawyer will make sure your sobriety test score is obtained and utilized correctly and according to the law.

It is critical to immediately consult a Maryland DUI lawyer for any drunk driving infraction, especially if you have more than one such charge. A DUI is considered a misdemeanor but can result in years in jail if is a repeated offense or if somebody got injured in an accident. At Robinson and Associates we can explain all your options and look for best possible