The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Reliable Rockville DUI Lawyer
If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Southern Maryland, having an experienced Rockville DUI lawyer on your side can help you out.
An Overview of Drunk Driving in Maryland State
Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol is very dangerous and a straight gateway to a DUI conviction. This puts your life in danger not only but also the lives of other people using the road. Alcohol impairs your judgment and ability to drive safely, and you may be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI). This can result in civil and criminal penalties even if you are underage.
Driving Under the Influence in Rockville, MD
Rockville, MD, serves as the county seat for Montgomery County. This county borders Washington, DC, and it’s known for being a safe place to live in the suburbs of DC. Approximately 70,000 people live in the city of Rockville. Many individuals who live there commute to Washington, DC, for work. That makes the city practically ideal for DUI checkpoints and traffic spots.
Highway 270 (I-270), which travels between I-495, the Capital Beltway, and I-70 in the city of Frederick (Frederick County), runs through Rockville. Also, MD 355 serves as a major thoroughfare through Montgomery county, passing through Rockville. Due to the high level of traffic in the area, Maryland State Police and Rockville City Police aggressively enforce traffic and DUI laws.
A driver in Rockville, Maryland, is charged with driving under the influence if they are pulled over for DUI suspicion, and their blood alcohol concentration is more than 0.08. This may result in severe penalties for driving under the influence, including license suspensions.
However, with an experienced DUI attorney on your side, you may be able to avoid certain harsh and life-altering penalties.
DUI Arrests in Maryland
A DUI arrest usually occurs after a quick traffic stop by a police officer. Because the Rockville City Police Department recognized that drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs represent a serious threat to the safety of others, the department started driving while impaired enforcement program. The program is focused on alcohol and drug-related traffic offense violations. Identifying these offenses became the enforcement’s priority activity conducted by specially trained and equipped law enforcement officers.
If Rockville officers suspect someone is driving intoxicated, they will ask them to perform field sobriety tests and a road breath test. They will also run tests to determine the blood alcohol content (BAC).
Drivers are entitled to stay silent when questioned about their location or whether they have been drinking. However, Maryland’s implied consent laws require all drivers to submit to a field sobriety test or a chemical test to determine if there is alcohol in their system if asked by a police officer.
Refusal to submit will result in additional administrative repercussions, in addition to potential criminal penalties if convicted.
If you are being pulled over for a DUI stop or DWI charge, it is best to consult with an experienced Rockville DUI lawyer to protect your rights in the criminal justice system.
How Does Rockville Police Treat DUI/DWI Offenses
Rockville’s crime rate is noticeably below average compared to towns of similar size. However, that means Rockville police officers are able to focus on different issues. One of them is drunk driving. Due to the proximity to DC and many restaurants and bars, Rockville police are treating DUI offenses seriously.
In 2019, there were 134 DUI arrests by Rockville police, while in 2021, that number was significantly lower – 61. Even numbers of traffic citations lowered, from almost 6,000 in 2019 to around 3,000 in 2021.
The City of Rockville also implements Speed Camera Program, used for issuing red light camera citations as well as speed camera citations. The program focuses on streets with frequent speeding with the goal of adjusting harmful driving behaviors.
Constitutional Issues in Drunk Driving Cases
Constitutionally, important factors are involved in DUI charges. When a DUI case is brought to the attention of prosecutors, it is related to what happened when the driver was stopped. The Fourth Amendment guarantees to all individuals a right to be free from being stopped or searched and seized without probable cause.
One of the problems is the officer’s reason for initially stopping the person or coming into contact with them. The police can’t randomly stop an individual or search through their property.
Another common constitutional issue besides the Fourth Amendment surrounds the Sixth Amendment. This Amendment states that individuals have the right to confront their accusers and cross-examine those who have collected evidence against them. That becomes a problem when presenting the person’s blood alcohol concentration as evidence.
During these difficult times, it is best to have an MD DUI Lawyer on your side to provide you with legal guidance and protect you from more severe penalties.
Impact of DUI on Insurance
Insurance companies typically don’t find out about someone’s DUI immediately after an arrest. The insurance company is involved once a driver is convicted of a DUI and assigned points for a particular incident.
Bear in mind that a DUI conviction in Maryland would likely result in a significant increase in auto insurance rates. Having too many points on a driving record can seriously impact one’s driving privileges and lead to a complete cancellation from the insurance company.
Individuals should never contact their insurer before requesting assistance from an attorney who can provide valuable advice. However, drivers should review their insurance policy to learn whether they are obligated to report a DUI offense to their insurer sooner.
DUI Laws in the State of Maryland
DUI Laws in the State of Maryland are strict and would require a Maryland DUI lawyer to help you out. If you have been charged with a drunk driving offense, you’d better be prepared to deal with arresting police officers and the loss of your driving privileges. You should consult with your Rockville DUI attorney about DWI law.
A driver’s BAC can generally be determined via breath samples. Drivers who have allegedly drunk alcohol can undergo physical and breath tests to find out whether they are drinking. These conditions are described in Maryland Transport Regulations Articles 15–15. Maryland has surprisingly complicated laws regarding driving while impaired (DWI/DWI).
If you have been charged with DUI or DWI offense in Maryland, it is best to work with an experienced DUI attorney in Rockville, MD, who can represent you in court and protect your rights in the criminal justice system.
How Can a Rockville DUI Lawyer Help?
Many people charged with a DUI offense find themselves in a significant crisis and do not know what they are expected to do. That’s why getting a DUI lawyer may be advisable. DUI defense attorneys will review the facts of your case and chemical test results. With the facts they obtain, they will craft an individualized defense strategy in accordance with Maryland Law to ensure the best outcome in your case.
The initial goal of an experienced driving under the influence lawyer from Maryland is to steer you towards negotiating a beneficial plea agreement. The lawyer may also choose to take your case to trial if necessary, and this may be before a Circuit Court Jury or a District Court Judge.
There are specific scenarios where Rockville DUI lawyers represent clients with underlying addiction issues who have been arrested for a DUI. In such situations, a good defense lawyer has the resources and connections to refer such clients for help at an appropriate treatment facility and argue a favorable outcome in court.
Some of the Penalties Your DUI Lawyer Will Inform You About
Once you are charged with a DUI offense, there are various penalties that you may face. Such penalties include suspension of your driver’s license, increased insurance premiums, community service and alcohol treatment programs, probation, a jail time of up to one year, and at times expensive fines of up to $1000.
All these penalties are subject to the particular facts of your case. For instance, if you are a repeat offender and you are arrested for the second time for driving under the influence, your criminal penalties can be more severe than those of a person who is a first-time offender.
Another situation that can worsen your DUI penalty is when you get into an accident while transporting a minor or causing injuries to pedestrians or passengers.
Penalties for people under the legal drinking age
A young person under the age of 21 is likely to face a charge under 16-113 for driving while under the influence. The student may have to pay the penalty at the college. Under 18s can still face criminal charges if arrested for DUI. In this situation, it is highly recommended that you speak to a DUI lawyer. Intoxicated driving charges can be fought with strong defense tactics.
Can a DUI Lawyer Help Me Obtain Probation Before Judgement?
According to Maryland’s state laws, probation before judgment (PBJ) refers to a defendant being placed on probation before a final judgment has been made by the court judge based on their case. Probation before judgment is best served to people being charged with DUI cases.
Here, you can answer honestly that you have never been convicted of any crime whatsoever.
So, yes! An experienced Rockville attorney with a history of seeking Maryland’s probation before judgment may help you obtain one should you ever find yourself facing driving under the influence charges.
Situations in Which a Rockville MD DUI Attorney May Help You Obtain PBJ
For you to get PBJ for your DUI offense, there are specific rules that govern it. Your attorney should guide you through these rules. Probation before judgments is only available in the following situations:
- For a first-time DUI / DWI offense, or in situations where you have not had any PBJ conviction in the past ten years
- When a person has violated for the first time, the State’s controlled dangerous substance laws
- For first-time charges of felony violations under the State of Maryland’s law
It is important to note that, as much as a judge has the legal right to grant PBJ for first DUI or DWI cases, the judge may also decline this in certain circumstances. These include DUIs that involve any type of accident, cases in which a high blood alcohol content was obtained, and when large quantities of drugs are obtained.
Probation before judgment is not available in situations for any second DUI/DWI conviction that may take place within ten years of the first conviction. It also does not apply for second violations of Maryland’s controlled dangerous substance laws.
Additional Rockville DUI Attorney Defense Strategies
Probation before judgment is not the only thing that DUI lawyers can pursue to help you avoid a criminal conviction. Rockville DUI attorneys may be in a position to make some of the following arguments for your defense depending on the circumstances of your arrest:
- Improper police procedures
- Illegal traffic stops
- Failure of traffic police informing you of your legal rights regarding Maryland’s Implied Consent Laws
- Shoddy calibration of the equipment used to measure and detect your blood alcohol content (BAC)
Find the Best DUI Lawyer Rockville MD
Getting a Maryland criminal defense attorney for your DUI case is one thing, but you want to hire a lawyer who stands among the best DUI attorneys in Maryland. A lawyer may help you protect your reputation, which may be damaged by the criminal and civil penalties applied to you for driving while under the influence.
Our firm near Rockville is led by some of the top DUI attorneys who work tirelessly to ensure they represent their clients accordingly. Contact a Rockville attorney at Scrofano Law today for a free consultation and begin moving forward with the help of our trusted legal team.
Do I need a lawyer for DUI in Maryland?
DUI cases that involve serious bodily harm can turn to criminal cases involving Circuit Courts, and it becomes more important for you to hire a knowledgeable defense attorney.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Maryland?
The average national cost of a DUI lawyer is between $125 and $2950, with average costs around $275. The basic legal charges are around $500 for simple DUIs. However, the fee can carry depending on the severities of your case and the expertise of your lawyer.
How Do You Beat a DUI in Maryland?
Dealing with a DUI charge in Maryland is a tough thing to go through alone. However, if you consult with an experienced lawyer who helps you with the defense strategy and legal guidance, your case will turn out in a positive way. Your lawyer will investigate the case, prepare legal documents, and prepare the best defense strategy to help you out.
