People sometimes make the mistake of driving after consuming too much alcohol because they aren’t aware of their limits or didn’t realize the alcohol affected them as much as it did. Even if they do not put themselves in physical danger, they will always put themselves at the risk of being charged with alcohol-related driving offenses like driving under the influence (DUI) and/or driving while impaired (DWI). In either situation, the offense is serious and needs to be taken as such.
Representation by an experienced Glen Burnie DUI attorney can make all the difference in your fight against your DUI charge. At Portner & Shure, P.A., our attorneys have been defending individuals charged with alcohol-related driving offenses for more than 30 years. Our attorneys know that the stakes are high, so we don’t hold back or slow down.
For a free consultation, or contact us online.
Maryland DUI Laws
Two important Maryland DUI laws that could be relevant to your case are:
· Maryland Transportation Article § 21-902(a): This law criminalizes the act of driving while under the influence of alcohol. To be convicted of violating § 21-902(a), the State must prove that your blood alcohol level exceeded .08 and that you were driving. A first offense carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and/or a fine of $1,000. A second offense carries a maximum penalty of 2 years in jail and/or a fine of $2,000. A conviction can also result in the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) imposing administrative penalties in the form of 12 points being assessed against your driving privileges.
· Maryland Transportation Article § 21-902(b): This law criminalizes the act of driving while impaired by alcohol, which is different from being influenced by it. To be convicted of violating § 21-902(b), the State must prove that you were impaired by alcohol and that you were driving. A first offense, if convicted, carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and/or a fine of $500. A second offense carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and/or a fine of $500.00. A conviction can also result in the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration imposing administrative penalties in the form of 8 points being assessed against your driving privileges.
Administrative Penalties
An alcohol-related driving offense will result in you facing both criminal and administrative penalties, which are imposed separately from one another. The criminal penalties are imposed by a Court, which is a part of the judicial branch of Maryland’s State Government. The administrative penalties are imposed by the Motor Vehicle Administration, which is a part of the executive branch of Maryland’s State Government.
The Motor Vehicle Administration is empowered to suspend your driving privileges as a result of an alcohol-related driving offense. The length of the suspension depends on whether you submitted to the breathalyzer test and your recorded blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. You can contest the administrative penalties or have them modified at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Because the administrative and criminal penalties are imposed by different branches of the State government, a favorable finding in one case will not terminate or determine the other.
Portner & Shure, P.A.’s Approach & Services
An alcohol-related driving charge is a serious matter. The police vigorously enforce these laws and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney's Office takes a harsh approach with individuals accused of driving under the influence. Prosecutors often refuse to drop cases with weak evidence.
The Glen Burnie DUI attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. carefully review the State’s evidence to identify potential weaknesses or defenses. In particular, our attorneys evaluate whether the arresting officer had probable cause to conduct the traffic stop and whether the officer had sufficient grounds to administer the chemical breath test. If no such evidence exists, then we might be able to punch an enormous hole in the prosecution’s arguments.
Why Hire Portner & Shure, P.A.?
A DUI or DWI conviction can be a life-altering event. An experienced Glen Burnie, Maryland DUI attorney can mount an effective legal defense. The award-winning attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. have successfully defended individuals accused of alcohol-related driving offenses for more than 30 years. The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys of 2020 recently recognized Portner & Shure, P.A. as one of Maryland’s “10 Best Law Firms”, too!
To schedule a free consultation regarding your Glen Burnie DUI case, contact us online or dial . Our staff is fluent in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, and Korean.
