Germantown DUI Defense Attorney
Alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers put the lives of every motorist at risk, so to discourage and prevent such reckless behavior, Maryland state highway patrol seeks to remove intoxicated drivers from the roadways and see them severely punished for their actions. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal offense and is charged as a misdemeanor according to the Maryland Transportation Code. If you have been charged with a DUI in Germantown, call an experienced Germantown DUI lawyer today. An experienced attorney in Germantown can look at the facts of your case and help to minimize the harm of your charge.
The Value of a Germantown DUI Lawyer
If you have been charged with a DUI, DWI, or associated drug- or alcohol-related offense, you may be facing a wide-range of long-term consequences. Criminally-charged driving offenses can lead to the following civil and administrative penalties:
- License suspension, restrictions, or revocation
- Fines
- Jail time
- Use of an ignition interlock device
- Probation
- And more
A DUI conviction will leave you with a criminal record that can impact your employment opportunities, residential options, security clearances, voting rights, right to own a firearm, personal reputation, and more. To find out what penalties apply to your case and how to obtain the best possible outcome, contact a Germantown DUI lawyer at Price Benowitz to schedule your free consultation today.
Driving Under the Influence in Germantown, MD
Germantown, which is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, is home to nearly 90,000 people. Ranked among CNN’s top 25 places to live in the United States, Germantown is noted for its close proximity to the nation’s capital and excellent job opportunities. With a 95 percent employment rate, a number of Maryland’s more than 3.3 million drivers spend a good deal of time commuting within and around Germantown.
Germantown DUI defense attorneys understand state traffic laws, properly equipping themselves to provide clients with the best possible representation. Traffic lawyers advocate on behalf of those facing charges for DUI and associated offenses, which may include the following:
- Driving while impaired (DWI)
- Refusal to submit
- MVA Hearing
- Transporting a minor while intoxicated
- Driving on a restricted, suspended, or revoked license
- Reckless, aggressive, or negligent driving
- Operating a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Intoxicated driving under the age of 21
If you have been charged with a criminal driving offense and are facing the associated penalties, contact a Germantown DUI lawyer to provide you with professional legal counsel. Your driving privileges and personal freedom are on the line, so it is important that you act quickly to secure an experienced traffic attorney.
Maryland DUI Laws
Alcohol-related driving offenses are addressed in the Maryland Transportation Code in Title 21, Subtitle 9. According to § 21-902, a DUI charge is applicable for the following:
Driving while under the influence of alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol per se, while impaired by alcohol, or while impaired by a drug, a combination of drugs, a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, or while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance.
Additionally, under the Code, it is prohibited to attempt to drive a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher, regardless of a lack of visible impairment (DUI per se). This means that sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that is idling may be grounds enough for law enforcement to substantiate an arrest if you are found to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
Germantown DUI Lawyers and Drug DUIs
DUI not only applies to drivers under the influence of alcohol, but those who are impaired by the use of drugs, as well. Even drugs which are not illicit and are properly prescribed by a medical professional can lead to serious criminal charges if they impact the driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. In § 21-902, it is stated that “it is not a defense to any charge of violating this subsection that the person charged is or was entitled under the laws of this State to use the drug, combination of drugs, or combination of one or more drugs and alcohol, unless the person was unaware that the drug or combination would make the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle.”
While warning labels may indicate caution when operating an automobile, the individual may be unaware of the scope of impact the drug has on his or her perception and reaction time. In order to get the best possible outcome in your case, it is important to secure the legal skills of an experienced Germantown DUI attorney to provide you with a proper defense.
When a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) is the source of impairment, a DUI charge may be combined with other charges such as possession of a CDS. Compounding offenses can lead to compounding penalties. A DUI lawyer in Germantown may be able to help minimize the impacts of a serious DUI offense.