Pikesville DUI Defense Lawyers

Strategic DUI Defense Attorneys Challenging DUI and DWI Charges in Pikesville, MD

An arrest in which a person is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a frightening situation. After being pulled over, a person may worry about what they should say or do and how their life may be affected by DUI charges. They may be unsure about what evidence will be used in their case, whether their driver's license will be suspended, and how DUI charges may affect their job, their family life, and their finances. To make sure a case will be handled correctly, a person can get legal help from an attorney who has experience defending clients in these types of cases.

At Posner & Cord, LLC, we work with people in Pikesville to address accusations of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. We can provide guidance on the defense strategies that may be used and the ways a person can respond to accusations of intoxicated driving while minimizing the penalties that may affect their life and their future. We work closely with clients to develop effective DUI defense strategies so that they can resolve their cases successfully.

Why People May Be Arrested for Intoxicated Driving

A police officer does not need to witness a person drinking or using drugs to make an arrest for DUI. However, they are required to follow certain procedures during traffic stops and when arresting suspects. In many cases, officers will rely on observations of a driver's behavior to determine whether they have enough information to arrest a driver they believe is impaired.

Traffic stops will usually be performed when police officers witness traffic violations. An officer may observe a violation such as speeding or running a red light. They may also perform traffic stops after observing behaviors that may be related to intoxication, such as weaving across the road or driving well below the speed limit. However, they cannot pull a vehicle over based only on a hunch or a belief that a person seems suspicious. A valid legal reason is required before a traffic stop can be performed.

After pulling a driver over, an officer may look for signs of impairment. These may include the smell of alcohol on a person's breath or in their vehicle, as well as the smell of marijuana in a vehicle or on a person's clothing. They may also look for physical signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech, awkward or fumbling movements, delays in responding to questions, or eyes with dilated pupils or redness.

While a person may show physical or verbal signs of impairment, an officer may need to take additional steps to confirm their suspicions before they perform an arrest. These will often include field sobriety tests in which a driver is asked to step out of their vehicle and perform activities like standing on one foot or walking along a straight line. Officers may also ask drivers to take portable breath tests to measure the level of alcohol in their system.

Drivers are not required to take field sobriety tests or roadside breath tests. When performing these tests, officers will often be looking to confirm their suspicions that a driver is impaired, and any indications of intoxication may be enough to make an arrest. Drivers are allowed to decline to take roadside sobriety tests, and even if they do take and fail a test, it may be possible to show that the tests were affected by factors other than intoxication.

The Difference Between DUI and DWI in Maryland

The specific charges that a person may face after being arrested for intoxicated driving will depend on their alleged level of impairment. Driving under the influence (DUI) is the most common charge that applies in these cases. A person may face DUI charges based on their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as measured by a chemical test after an arrest. A test showing that a person had a BAC that was above the legal limit of .08 percent while they were operating a vehicle will typically result in DUI charges. A person may also be charged with DUI if they were allegedly under the influence of illegal controlled substances.

In cases where a person's BAC did not exceed the legal limit, they could still be charged with an offense. Driving while impaired (DWI) charges may apply in situations where a person was allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the point where their ability to drive safely was affected. While DWI is a less serious offense than DUI, a conviction can still lead to multiple types of penalties, including potential jail time, fines, and the loss of a driver's license.

The specific charges a person may face will typically depend on the results of breath or blood tests conducted after they are arrested, as well as the observations made by police officers. A person may face DUI charges if test results show that they were over the legal limit or that they had drugs in their system. However, in the absence of positive test results, DWI charges may apply based on an officer's claims that they were driving erratically and that they behaved as if they were impaired during a traffic stop.

Contact Our Pikesville, MD DUI/DWI Defense Lawyers

While charges of DUI or DWI can be serious, a number of opportunities for defense may be available. At Posner & Cord, LLC, our lawyers can determine whether an officer's reasons for pulling a driver over may be challenged, or we may argue that field sobriety tests were not a reliable indicator of intoxication. We may also take steps to challenge chemical tests performed after an arrest or determine whether other defense strategies can help prevent a conviction. To arrange a free consultation and get the legal representation needed to defend against drunk driving charges, contact our Pikesville DUI defense attorneys at 410-252-0600.