DUI/DWI Defense Attorneys in Maryland, Virginia & Washington, D.C.

The approved filed sobriety tests are:

• The one-leg stand test: The officer will direct you to stand on one leg, raise your other leg six-inches off the ground and count to 30. The police officer will check for possible signs of inebriation, such as an inability to count properly, a struggle to keep balance, or starting too early.
• The walk-and-turn test: You will be instructed to walk nine steps in a straight line, touching heel to toe, swivel on your heels, then walk nine steps in the same manner in the opposite direction. During this test, you will be evaluated on your ability to maintain balance, walk the appropriate number of steps, and whether your toe actually touches your heel.
• The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test: This is intended to expose involuntary jerking of the eye as you track an object, usually a pen or finger, horizontally from side to side.

Field sobriety tests can be politely refused. They are completely voluntary and there is no legal penalty for refusing to partake in one. It is important to realize that these tests are highly flawed, subjective, and inaccurate. They are designed to build a case against you at a time when you are anxious and vulnerable.

Impaired Driving Crashes in Maryland

What happens if a drunk driver kills someone? Impaired driving is one of Maryland's highest priority traffic safety issues. If you are involved in an impaired driving accident, you could be charged with a number of different criminal offenses, including but limited to, manslaughter by vehicle in violation of Md. Crim. L. Code Ann. § 2-209, homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in violation of Md. Crim. L. Code Ann. § 2-503, homicide by motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol in violation of Md. Crim. L. Code Ann. § 2-504, driving a vehicle on a highway in excess of the posted miles per hours limit, and driving a motor vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of personal and property in violation of Md. Trans. Code Ann. § 21-901.1A. When faced with such high-stakes charges, it is important you enlist an assertive attorney from Portner & Shure to fight for you.

Maryland's definition of an impaired driving crash is at least one of the drivers involved in the crash was reported to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Impairment is determined through the driver condition, blood alcohol content, substance use and contributing factor fields on the crash report.

According to Maryland's 2014 Highway Safety Plan, over the past five years, an average of 8,216 impaired driving crashes has occurred annually on Maryland's roadways. On average, 185 people have lost their lives and 4,352 were injured each year. This loss of life represents approximately one-third of all of Maryland's traffic fatalities. The highest number of impaired driving crashes occurs among male drivers between the ages of 21 and 49. The highest concentration of impaired driving crashes is recorded in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area, which includes Baltimore City, central Maryland, and Washington D.C. 5 jurisdictions--Prince George's, Baltimore, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel counties and Baltimore City-account for more than 60 percent of all impaired driving crashes statewide.

Traffic-related prosecutions, particularly DUIs and DUI-fatalities, are among the most complicated cases to handle. The highly experienced attorneys at Portner & Shure can begin working on your vehicular homicide case immediately to ensure your rights are protected. The committed attorneys will work tirelessly to build a strong defense and find weaknesses in the prosecution's case.