Posted on September 09, 2023 in DUI Charges

The recent legalization of marijuana in Maryland has made headlines across the country. Although Maryland drivers know that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal, some may not be aware that marijuana can also have an impact on driving ability. Drivers who get behind the wheel after using marijuana can also receive DUI charges. 

Cannabis-related DUI 

A recent study released by the Drug-Free America Foundation suggests that cannabis-related DUIs are often higher in states where marijuana is legal. The study examined data collected in 2022 and found cannabis-related DUIs occur about 32% more in states where cannabis is legal in some capacity when compared to states where cannabis is not legal. Yet, like most states, Maryland does not have a law for how much THC must be present for a driver to be cited.  

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 Posted on September 05, 2023 in Manejar ebrio

Cualquier persona que ha pasado por una condena penal sabe cuántas limitaciones puede crear en la vida de una persona, sin importar su edad o estatus. Puede interferir con su capacidad de obtener empleo, ser aceptado a una universidad o calificar por becas, y mucho más. Por eso, algunas personas buscan la oportunidad de borrar su condena oficialmente, para que no sea visible si alguien revisa su registro penal.

Por suerte, un tal proceso existe, pero no todos califican. Estas son las diferencias principales entre borrar una condena y escudar una condena, y quién califica para cual bajo la ley de Maryland.

Borrar una condena del registro penal

Su capacidad de borrar una condena de su registro penal depende en parte de la severidad de su condena, y de cuanto tiempo ha pasado desde la condena (enlace en inglés). Por ejemplo, la mayoría de las condenas por un delito menor puede ser borrado después de diez años, mientras la mayoría de los delitos mayores requieren 15 años.

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 Posted on August 25, 2023 in DUI Charges

When a driver is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, the future becomes uncertain. Those facing DUI charges are usually embarrassed and take a hit to their reputations. They may also endure some anxious nights without much sleep. In recent years, law enforcement agencies across Maryland have ramped up efforts to combat drunk driving. But what happens immediately after drivers in Maryland are formally charged with DUI? 

What happens next? 

Anyone arrested on suspicion of DUI will be required by authorities to submit to a chemical test of their blood alcohol content. A driver with a BAC of more than .08 will receive an order of suspension and the driver’s license will be seized. A driver who refuses to submit to the BAC test will also suffer a license suspension.  

After a driver’s license is taken, the driver will be given a 45-day temporary paper license. Drivers in this situation can request a hearing to challenge their license suspension. The length of time a driver’s license is suspended after a DUI arrest will vary depending on the situation, but it can range from 180 days to two years. Two-time offenders whose BAC is .15 or more, or who were involved in an accident that resulted in a fatality, can have their license revoked. 

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 Posted on August 12, 2023 in Drivers' License Suspension or Revocation

Whether someone is charged or convicted of DUI in Maryland, their driver’s license will be impacted. Having a driver’s license suspended or revoked will almost certainly hamper a person’s ability to get around. Fortunately, driver’s license suspensions or revocations are rarely permanent. Here’s how long Maryland drivers may have to wait before they can get their revoked licenses reinstated after a DUI conviction. 

Criteria for reinstatement 

In Maryland, drivers who have violated an alcohol restriction can have their driver’s license revoked. Fortunately, drivers who have had their licenses revoked are eligible to have their licenses reinstated after a certain amount of time. The amount of time an individual must wait before requesting reinstatement varies depending on the number of times the driver’s Maryland license has been revoked. 

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 Posted on August 10, 2023 in Manejar ebrio

Cualquier interacción con la policía puede ser angustiante para cualquiera, pero en particular para los que no saben sus derechos. Por ejemplo, si la policía lo para a usted en la calle y le pide que tome una prueba de alcoholímetro, ¿usted está obligado a hacerlo? ¿Puede decir que no? ¿Qué le puede suceder si decide negarse de tomar la prueba?

El consentimiento implícito

Dentro la ley de Maryland hay un estatuto que establece el consentimiento implícito para las pruebas de alcoholímetro. Esto significa que, si usted tiene una licencia de conducir y maneja en las calles públicas de Maryland, usted implícitamente da su consentimiento a tomar una prueba de alcohol si se lo pide un policía (enlace en inglés).

Si se niega a tomar una prueba de alcoholímetro, la policía puede quitarle la licencia de conducir (enlace en inglés). Usted tendrá que pasar por un proceso largo de solicitud para volver a obtener su licencia después o durante el proceso penal.

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 Posted on July 31, 2023 in Field Sobriety Tests

When a Maryland police officer makes a traffic stop and asks a driver if he or she has been drinking, it typically means the officer already has a suspicion. Often, in this scenario, the officer asks the driver to step out of the vehicle and take field sobriety tests. The officer can place the driver under arrest when the test is failed. However, it may be surprising to know that a person can fail field sobriety tests even if he or she is sober.

Failing field sobriety tests

The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) used by law enforcement across the United States is made up of three separate tests. They are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), the Walk And Turn and the One Leg Stand. Failing any of these tests is enough for a driver to be arrested. However, there are several reasons why these tests can be failed even when the individual is not intoxicated.

Certain pre-existing medical conditions may interfere with the person’s ability to follow instructions and balance, or their eye movements. These conditions commonly include injuries, illnesses, disabilities, anxiety, fatigue and language barriers. Also, environmental factors like uneven surfaces or unfavorable weather conditions can affect field sobriety tests. Before drivers submit to field sobriety tests, they should always inform police officers of any pre-existing conditions beforehand.

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 Posted on July 14, 2023 in DUI Charges

In Maryland and across the country, being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense. Those convicted of DUI face stringent penalties that may include mandatory jail time, strict fines and often a period of probation. Even more serious situations can result in an aggravated DUI case. This can mean enhanced criminal penalties and increased sentences for those convicted. 

What is an aggravated DUI? 

If an individual is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs while committing other offenses, he or she could be charged with aggravated DUI. Although a DUI is a serious offense, Maryland and many other states classify it as a misdemeanor — at least for most first-time offenders. If there are aggravating factors at the time of the incident, the DUI could be increased to a felony. This more severe charge also means more severe penalties for those convicted. 

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 Posted on July 03, 2023 in Manejar ebrio

Todos sabemos que ser arrestado por manejar ebrio puede resultar en consecuencias potencialmente devastadores que pueden tener efectos por el resto de la vida. Desafortunadamente, hay algunos factores que pueden hacer que las penalidades por manejar ebrio sean aun más severas para el acusado. Estos factores se llaman factores agravantes, y la ley de Maryland los establece muy específicamente.

Alta concentración de alcohol en la sangre

Usted podría recibir cargos penales por manejar ebrio si la policía determina a través de una prueba química que usted tiene por lo menos 0.8% de alcohol en la sangre. Pero si el nivel de alcohol en su sistema llega a 0.15% o más, las penalidades aumentan considerablemente.

La presencia de un menor de edad en el auto

Hay consecuencias severas que vienen con poner en peligro la vida de un menor de edad. La ley de Maryland establece un crimen adicional por manejar ebrio si hay un menor de edad en el auto en el momento del arresto (enlace en inglés).

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 Posted on June 30, 2023 in DUI Charges

Around the country, more and more states are legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. Maryland will soon be among these states as marijuana becomes legal here in July. However, even though marijuana has become legal in some states, it is important to remember that driving while under the influence of marijuana is still illegal in every state.

Police conducting sobriety tests for driving while high

Since marijuana will soon be legal in Maryland, police are bringing awareness to the public that driving while high is dangerous and also illegal. Police said if they suspect a driver is under the influence of marijuana, they will do field sobriety tests just like they do for drunk driving stops. Officers noted that if drivers fail these tests, they will be arrested.

If a driver is arrested, he or she may also be subjected to drug tests once they get to the police station. According to police, drivers who are under the influence of marijuana and fail sobriety tests will be charged with a drug-related DUI and will be required to go through the court process. Penalties for a conviction can be severe, with offenders possibly serving anywhere from 60 days to one year in jail.

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 Posted on June 16, 2023 in DUI Charges

When police officers in Maryland suspect a driver of being impaired, they usually administer field sobriety tests. These tests are used by officers to help determine probable cause to make an arrest. The Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) used by officers around the country is comprised of three different tests.  

Horizontal gaze nystagmus  

In the horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test, the driver is asked by an officer to follow a moving object, usually a flashlight or pen, slowly from side to side. When a person’s eyes are rotated at high peripheral angles, an involuntary twitching occurs, known as horizontal gaze nystagmus. This twitching of the eyes is more exaggerated when an individual is intoxicated. 

One-leg stand  

The one-leg stand test is used to gauge a driver’s balance. The driver is asked by the officer to stand on one leg with the other foot about six inches off the ground. The officer will ask the driver to count from 1001, 1002, and so on until the officer ends the test. 

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