If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in Baltimore, you are subject to the criminal laws of the State of Maryland, and your case will be handled by a Baltimore DUI attorney. This means that as a first measure your license will be suspended and you will not be allowed to operate a vehicle until the criminal proceedings are completed. It is important that you do not drive in this period in which your license is suspended, as this will seriously exacerbate your situation, and will cause any punishment upon conviction to be a lot more severe, despite the best efforts of your Baltimore DUI attorney.
Depending on the situation, your punishment could range from relatively minor fines and insurance premiums all the way to several years in prison if you killed anyone as a result of driving under the influence. If you have been involved in an accident and you fear that your blood alcohol level is above the legal limit, do not succumb to the urge to flee the scene. If you are caught after having fled the scene of a crash, especially if you have neglected to provide assistance to any injured people, you can be sure that no judge in Maryland is going to let you get away without a hefty prison sentence.
How to Handle a DUI Stop in Baltimore
If you are stopped by the police, be polite and do not lose your temper. They will most likely ask you to perform sobriety tests and you must do so without complaining. Remember that they will be observing your behavior with a critical eye. If there is any doubt about your level of intoxication, you may be required to proceed to a hospital in order to take a blood test. Once again, you must do so without protest as the police will gladly add a charge of resisting arrest to your already-sullied case. If you are unfortunate enough to be in this situation, you need to obtain the help of a Baltimore attorney with experience in handling DUI cases. If you were transporting a minor whilst intoxicated your situation is dire indeed. In this case you will almost automatically be handed a jail sentence – and you deserve one too.
What can a Baltimore DUI Attorney do for you?
Your lawyer will present your case and the circumstances that led to you drinking and driving. However, your lawyer will not lie for you and in most DUI cases the role of your attorney will be limited to minimizing the damage caused by your already proven crime. Remember that there is only so much that can be done for you, as you have been caught and presumably have undergone a breath test with the police. In Baltimore, it is common practice for you DUI attorney to give you your first consultation for free. In this session you will need to explain your actions so that consequences can be minimized.
