BAC

Written by Staff Writer A DUI checkpoint on Route 33 in Maryland resulted in two arrests this weekend, according to media reports. The checkpoint included officers from the state police and the Talbot County Sheriff's Office and took place between 9 and 11 p.m. Friday. A total of 148 vehicles were stopped at the checkpoint, resulting in the two arrests. DUI checkpoints like these can become increasingly common during the summer months, especially on or before the dates of certain holidays and festivals. Though many assume checkpoints are effective, a skilled criminal defense attorney will know that policies and procedures governing checkpoints can be easily violated and that arrests that result from such events can be legally challenged. Nonetheless, publication of checkpoint results, like the one held last weekend, do serve as a valuable reminder to us all that DUI/DWI charges are not to be taken lightly in Maryland. It’s…

By a Staff Writer for The Law Office of Edward Tayter The latest viral online sensation -- which features a 39-year-old Ohio man dancing his way through a sobriety test, and straight into jail – isn’t the first of its kind and likely won’t be the last but is still worth noting. While most drivers are familiar with portions of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) -- such as the walk-and-turn test, or the one leg stand test – few have seen sobriety tests conducted like this one in Gahanna. Though the video is almost a year old, it’s still making the rounds online and enjoyed a surge in shares this week. And it’s easy to see why. In the police car dash-cam video you can watch as the man is instructed to touch his heel with his hand. The suspected drunk driver decides to take the test it a little…

Written By Staff Writer The right to counsel is a hallmark of fairness in the American legal system and one of the procedural due process rights afforded to citizens in almost every case. It is a glimmer of hope in what can otherwise be a dark and terrifying time. But what happens if you are denied this basic right? April Deering's case provides a disturbing answer to that question that will affect countless drivers throughout Maryland. According to a recent ruling by Maryland's highest court, Deering was pulled over for suspected drunk driving early on the morning of May 3, 2012. After being transported to the Fruitland Police Department, Deering was informed that she had the option of submitting to a Breathalyzer test to determine her blood alcohol content (BAC) under Maryland's implied consent law. The consequence for refusing a Breathalyzer test in the state of Maryland is a 120…