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How accurate is the horizontal gaze nystagmus test?
When Maryland drivers are stopped by police and suspected of being intoxicated, officers will usually ask to administer several field sobriety tests. The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) is one of three standardized field sobriety tests that officers often administer to evaluate impairment. However, like all field sobriety tests, the horizontal gaze nystagmus test is not 100% accurate.
What is horizontal gaze nystagmus?
Horizontal gaze nystagmus is a medical term that describes the involuntary jerking of the eyeballs. When a person is intoxicated, this jerking in the eyes becomes more prominent and noticeable. Before administering the HGN test, the officer is supposed to examine the individual’s eyes to gauge their resting nystagmus, pupil size and tracking to see if both eyes can follow an object together.
Administering the horizontal gaze nystagmus test
To administer an HGN test, the officer will hold a small object, usually an ink pen, about 12-15 inches from the individual’s nose. The officer will then move the object slowly from one side to the other. The individual will attempt to follow the object with their eyes while keeping their head still. The officer looks for any jerking or bouncing in the eyes and will also look for nystagmus before the eyes get to a 45-degree angle.
Lo que un abogado puede hacer para un acusado de DUI
Cuando una persona es acusada de conducir bajo la influencia del alcohol o las drogas, puede recibir cargos por conducción en estado de ebriedad (DUI por sus siglas en inglés). Los acusados pueden enfrentarse a un proceso legal complejo y a menudo intimidante. El estado de Maryland tiene leyes de DUI que son particularmente estrictas comparadas con las de otros estados, y puede haber consecuencias graves para quienes son condenados. Es aquí donde un abogado dedicado a defensa contra cargos de DUI es un aliado crucial.
Puede asegurarse de que se respeten sus derechos
Un abogado de DUI que trabaja en esta zona tendrá una comprensión profunda de las leyes de tránsito y las regulaciones relacionadas con los DUI en Maryland, incluso las posibles consecuencias a largo plazo de una convicción. Por ejemplo, conducir mientras se está impedido por el alcohol es un delito grave que puede resultar en multas sustanciales, la suspensión de la licencia de conducir, e incluso tiempo en la cárcel (enlace en inglés).
Advocates want to fix apparent loophole in DUI law
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a big issue in Maryland. This concerning problem has caused police forces across the state to ramp up enforcement efforts to prevent crashes and keep roads safe. Although Maryland has strict penalties for those convicted of DUI, some say a "loophole" in a DUI state law needs to be addressed to save lives.
Noah’s law
Advocates are urging for a loophole to be fixed in the law requiring penalties for DUI offenders. The apparent loophole is under the 2016 Noah’s Law. The law states that individuals who have been convicted of alcohol-related offenses must have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle. This device prevents the vehicle from starting unless the driver can pass a breathalyzer test.
However, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the loophole in the current law is with first-time DUI offenders who are serving probation before judgment. Apparently, individuals in this scenario are not required to have an ignition device in their vehicle. In 2022, advocates said the ignition interlock program prevented more than 3,600 attempts to operate a vehicle when the driver’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit. The CEO of MADD said new legislation is needed to close the loophole and save lives.
School board candidate accused of DUI
Being arrested and charged with driving under the influence can affect a person in many ways. It’s enough to cause sleepless nights, not to mention embarrassment and irreparable damage to one’s reputation and public image. According to police in Anne Arundel County, a school board candidate for District 5 was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Incident details
Reports said Maryland police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by the candidate near Tolstoy Lane and Lower Magothy Beach Road around 7 p.m. Officers said the driver was offered a sobriety test but noted that a test was not administered. Apparently, police were not able to confirm if the driver refused the test. Police said the candidate was arrested and charged with driving while impaired by alcohol, driving while under the influence of alcohol and other traffic-related charges.
What are the penalties for a DUI conviction in Maryland?
Dealing with the Maryland legal system can be a daunting experience for almost anyone. This can especially be true for individuals who are suddenly facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. Thoughts of losing one’s license, potential fines and even the possibility of serving jail time may cause a lot of sleepless nights.
Differences between a first and second offense
The penalties for a DUI conviction in the state of Maryland can vary significantly based on whether the individual found guilty has any prior offenses. For a first offense, the accused could potentially serve a jail sentence of one year or less and be fined up to $1,000. One’s license could also be suspended for up to six months.
In the case of a second conviction, the person found guilty could potentially serve up to two years in jail while also facing a fine up to $2,000. There is also a five-day mandatory minimum jail sentence, and the revocation period for driver’s license suspension is up to a full year. If both convictions take place within a five-year time period, the accused will be required to complete the Ignition Interlock Program once the mandatory license suspension is over. For offenses beyond a second conviction or in situations where a minor was a passenger in the vehicle, much harsher penalties typically apply.
Recent checkpoint results in DUI arrest and citations
Driving under the influence of alcohol continues to be a significant concern in Maryland and across the United States. Drivers who get behind the wheel while intoxicated not only endanger their own lives, but the lives of all others around them. Law enforcement agencies across the state of Maryland are making efforts to combat drunk driving and keep roadways safe.
Charles County DUI checkpoint
Recently, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit conducted a significant DUI checkpoint to enhance road safety. For this initiative, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with Maryland Transit Authority Police, Maryland State Police and members of Patrol Squad 3/K to combat impaired driving in the area and ensure traffic law compliance. The strategic DUI checkpoint was located at the intersection of St. Charles Parkway and Gallery Place.
Driver hit with DUI charges after a crash
There are few things as embarrassing and humiliating as being handcuffed, thrown into a police car and charged with driving under the influence. Being accused of drunk driving is a serious and usually challenging experience. To make matters worse, those who get arrested for DUI in Maryland often appear in local media reports for everyone to see.
Man accused of DUI after accident
Recently in Bethesda, a driver was arrested and accused of drunk driving after a crash that allegedly injured a Maryland state trooper. The incident happened at night on Interstate 270 northbound near Tuckerman Lane. Reportedly, law enforcement responded to reports of flooding in the roadway.
According to allegations, a Maryland State Police patrol vehicle was parked with its emergency lights on to divert traffic away from the flooded area when the vehicle was hit from behind by a sedan. Police said the officer inside the vehicle received minor injuries and was treated. Reports said the driver of the sedan was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The incident remains under investigation.
Si perdí mi licencia de conducir por un DUI, ¿cómo lo vuelvo a obtener?
Enfrentar un cargo por manejar intoxicado es una experiencia abrumadora en sí, pero se pone aún más complicado cuando se consideran todas las demás consecuencias que resultan de su arresto. Por ejemplo, si usted pierde su licencia de conducir, ¿cómo lo puede restaurar? ¿Es un proceso largo y complejo?
¿Cómo funciona el proceso?
Después de su arresto, es probable que la policía le haya quitado la licencia de conducir. Bajo la ley de Maryland, usted tiene que esperar por un cierto plazo de tiempo antes de que pueda solicitar la restauración de su licencia (enlace en inglés). Este plazo se pone más largo con cada revocación.
Por ejemplo, si esta fue la primera vez que su licencia fue revocada, tendrá que esperar un mínimo de seis meses antes de empezar el proceso de restauración. Después de su segundo arresto, ese plazo aumenta a un año.
Bajo ciertas circunstancias, puede ser necesario pasar por un programa certificado de tratamiento por alcohol antes de calificar para tener su licencia de vuelta. El tribunal también podría ordenar otros requisitos, como la instalación de un dispositivo de bloqueo de encendido en su carro.
Initiative aims to reduce drunk driving during the holidays
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year that calls for celebrations with cherished friends and family. However, it is important to celebrate responsibly. Law enforcement agencies in Maryland say that there are more arrests made for driving under the influence of alcohol during the holidays than at any other time of the year. This time of year, police forces commonly ramp up efforts to reduce drunk driving and keep roadways safe.
Drive Sober campaign
Officials in Charles County recently announced that the Drive Sober campaign will continue for the third consecutive year. The campaign will run from Nov. 20, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2024 to combat drunk driving and promote safety during the holiday season. This period is historically one of the deadliest times of the year for motorists.
Off-duty officer arrested and charged with DUI
There aren’t many things as embarrassing as being pulled over and handcuffed on suspicion of driving under the influence. Being thrown into the back of a police car and accused of DUI can cause any person many sleepless nights filled with anxiety and worry. To add to the humiliation, many of those who are charged with DUI in Maryland often appear in local newspapers and media outlets for everyone to see.
Details of a recent DUI arrest
Recently in Washington D.C., an off-duty police officer was arrested and charged with DUI. The incident happened during the overnight hours near the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue NW. According to reports, officers made a traffic stop on a female driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. Reports said another officer who was not in uniform drove up in a marked police car.
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