| Here are some startling statistics: | | | | before your lawyer can reach you. Your actions and |
| Fatality resulting from drunken driving was at its | | | | reactions in the first few minutes are important |
| maximum in 1986, when approximately 407 deaths | | | | because they provide important evidence to |
| were recorded. The same was at its lowest in 2008, | | | | prosecutors when you are in court. The key is to be |
| with 186 deaths reported. Even so, in the year 2008, | | | | on your best behavior. Do not argue with the police. |
| 26% of traffic fatalities involved a BAC (Blood Alcohol | | | | You need not take the field sobriety test if you do not |
| Concentration) of .08 or higher! | | | | want to. You do not have to answer the questions of |
| Given the above facts, it is only natural that as people | | | | the officer (in fact, you should try not to answer them |
| begin to unwind in the summer, the police will tighten its | | | | because your answers could be used as evidence |
| stranglehold on drunk drivers. They will try to amass | | | | against you). Refusal to take PBT (Preliminary Breath |
| maximum numbers of drunk drivers through speeding | | | | test) may lead to a confiscation of your license. |
| traps, field sobriety checks and by actually searching | | | | However, the result of this test is admissible in court if |
| out watering holes. As a result, the chances of | | | | they are favorable to you and inadmissible if they are |
| anybody being stopped and arrested for drunken | | | | unfavorable. So, you do not lose anything by taking this |
| driving are much greater than they were, say, a few | | | | test. Understand your rights. |
| years ago. | | | | If you are charged with DUI/DWI, it is a serious |
| If you are stopped for suspected drunk driving in | | | | infraction. But, this generally happens only if your blood |
| Maryland, a lawyer is your best bet against arrest. | | | | alcohol concentration is .8% or above. The punishment |
| Keep in mind that as of February, 2009, a number of | | | | is extremely severe in Maryland as the crime could |
| changes have been proposed in the existing laws | | | | lead to immediate revocation of your license and 12 |
| pertaining to drunken driving in Maryland. So, a lawyer | | | | points could be automatically marked against you. The |
| will have the latest information and they will be able to | | | | monetary costs are also high as you would have to |
| guide you on your rights and duties. | | | | pay a fine and also hire a DUI/DWI lawyer who can |
| But, there are certain things you need to know of | | | | take care of the drunken driving offense in Maryland. |