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Annapolis DUI Lawyer

Being pulled over by police and subsequently charged with DUI can be a harrowing experience. A DUI conviction can lead to fines, losing your driving privileges, and even possible jail time, not to mention the social stigma attached to such a charge. These kinds of consequences are exactly why you should call a criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with driving under the influence.
An experienced Annapolis DUI lawyer can thoroughly review your case, prepare a proper defense, and fight in court to have the charges reduced or even possibly dismissed completely. They will act as your advocate and defender throughout the sometimes complicated and time-consuming process.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Levels

In Maryland, the presumption of guilt depends on what your BAC was at the time you were stopped. This is important because many people assume that they have to plead guilty if the police tell them that the breathalyzer indicated that they are intoxicated. That is not true.

Furthermore, Annapolis police are not obligated to stop someone from incriminating themselves. This is a primary reason why it is important to have a Annapolis DUI attorney advising you of your rights after a DUI arrest. If your BAC is:

  • 0.05 or lower, then the presumption is that you were not under the influence.
  • Above 0.05 but below 0.07 means that there is no presumption either way.
  • Between 0.07 and 0.08, then it is presumed that you were impaired by alcohol.
  • If your BAC is 0.08 or higher it is considered a per se violation of driving under the influence.

An experienced attorney will understand how the presumptions correspond to the BAC and can assist you by getting the charges against you reduced or dropped.

Commercial Driver’s License

A person driving with a commercial driver’s license is subject to higher standards than people driving on a regular driver’s license who are not driving commercial motor vehicles. A person with a commercial driver’s license deals with the same consequences of a DUI as a regular driver but with different standards in regards to their commercial motor vehicle and their ability to operate one.

A person with a commercial driver’s license with a BAC level of 0.05 percent or higher loses their commercial driving privilege as opposed to a person with the regular driver’s license, who has a legal BAC of 0.08.

The severity of the ramifications of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) DUI can be fairly catastrophic because generally, the CDL is necessary for the person’s livelihood. The loss of their commercial driving privileges could, therefore, result in the loss of their ability to be employed and therefore  loss of income and general ability to be employed in the future. It is important to consult an Annapolis attorney as soon as you are charged with a CDL DUI to help mitigate the penalties levied against you in court.

Where a DUI Case is Heard

As a skilled attorney can attest, DUIs in Annapolis are heard in one of two district courts. One is in the Glen Burnie District Court at 7500 Ritchie Highway, Suite 205. The other district court is located at 251 Rowe Boulevard, Suite 151 in Annapolis. Additionally, if a DUI is moved to the circuit court for any reason such as the severity of the case or an appeal from a district court decision, those are heard in the circuit court for Anne Arundel County at 8 Church Circle in Annapolis. A person should arrive at the courthouse where their matter is assigned.

When there is a companion felony charge, the location of the case depends on the kind of felony charge. Some felony charges are heard in district court and are handled in the same location as the DUI. Some felony charges are more serious and go to the circuit court system. When they are related to the DUI, usually the DUI is taken to the circuit court and linked to the original felony charge.

Let an Annapolis DUI Attorney Help

Although being charged with driving under the influence can make you feel like you have been singled out, our Annapolis DUI lawyers have handled many cases just like yours. During a person’s initial appearance, a judge will inform them of their right to an attorney. Similar to the initial appearance, a lawyer can also help a person during their arraignment and help them post bond for release from jail. The attorneys with our firm are experienced with these types of cases and familiar with the prosecutors and judges that handle these cases as well.

Our team has the requisite experience and knowledge to provide you with the best possible defense. Some of the many things we can do for you include:

  • Bring into question the validity of your claimed BAC. Many times breathalyzer machines have not been properly calibrated and can be wildly inaccurate. We can also demonstrate that the police did not follow proper procedures in stopping and pulling you over.
  • File for probation before judgment (PBJ) if this is your first offense. PBJ can be available in many circumstances and can result in having the conviction wiped from your record.
  • Negotiate with the prosecutor’s office and get them to accept a lesser charge with lighter penalties.
  • Work to keep your driver’s license for you. We can show that you need to be able to drive to and from work to support your family.
  • Challenge a drug DUI, especially when a person is unaware that their prescription drugs could cause impaired driving.

No matter what the circumstances surrounding your arrest, it is a good idea to contact skilled legal representation. Call our office today and speak with one of our attorneys. Your initial consultation is free.

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