Howard County DUI Attorney
Most people arrested for DUI in Howard County, Maryland are otherwise law-abiding citizens who find themselves facing criminal charges as a result of a mistake. A routine traffic stop could lead to criminal conviction for these unfortunate citizens if they fail to protect their rights and their future with the help of an experienced Howard County DUI lawyer. Call today to schedule a consultation and discuss your charge with a lawyer in Maryland.
A DUI charge or a driving while impaired charge, just like any other criminal charge, can lead to fines, probation, incarceration, and criminal record that can impact your reputation and your future. For this reason, it is critical to retain experienced legal counsel as soon as possible after your arrest. The Howard County defense attorneys at our firm understand how serious and stressful these charges can be, and we are here to handle your case with discretion and compassion. Call us today for your free consultation.
Howard County Field Sobriety Tests
If you are pulled over and suspected of driving under the influence, the police officer will ask you to perform a series of field sobriety tests designed to demonstrate your intoxication. Often times an officer will administer one of the standardized field sobriety tests, or multiple depending upon the circumstances. The three standardized tests include the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), One-Leg Stand (OLS), and Walk-and-Turn (WAT) tests. All of these are divided-attention tests, which challenge your ability to perform a basic task if you are intoxicated or impaired. It is possible for these tests to be administered improperly, which is reason in itself to consult with an attorney. For example, if the HGN test was not administered eye-to-eye, the validity of the test is suspect. According to the standardized procedures, an officer must ask you to exit the vehicle, and administer the test at eye-level. There are countless other factors that speak to the validity of the administration of standardized field sobriety tests, and an experienced Howard County DUI lawyer will be able to determine whether or not they were conducted properly.
It is recommended that if you are stopped by police, you simply provide your identification and politely decline to say anything further or to participate in field sobriety tests or roadside breath tests without first speaking to your Howard County DUI attorney.
DUI Arrests in Howard County
If you are arrested on a DUI charge, you will be taken to the police station and asked to undergo a blood alcohol analysis—generally through a breath test. While you have the right to refuse this test, doing so will result in an automatic revocation of your driver’s license. Even if you are found not guilty of DUI or your case is dismissed, your license will remain suspended as a consequence of refusing to consent to testing. Contact a Howard County DUI lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest.
Hire a Howard County DUI Attorney for Your Case
A Maryland DUI arrest results in the immediate suspension of your driver’s license. You have only ten days from your arrest to request a hearing with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). A Howard County DUI lawyer can assist in this hearing. In addition to their experience handling DUI cases in the Howard County Court system, the DUI defense attorneys at our firm have substantial experience in dealing with administrative hearings.
Your Howard County DUI attorney will likely represent you before the Howard County District Court, located at 3451 Courthouse Drive in Ellicott City. Visit our courthouse page for directions to the District and Circuit courts.