Glen Burnie DUI Lawyer

Glen Burnie DUI Attorney

A conviction on DUI charges can seriously affect your life. It will cost you money, you will lose your driver’s license, and you may even go to jail. This, in addition to the potential impacts of your personal life, limits where you can work, the type of work you qualify for, and more. If you have been arrested for DUI/DWI, you need an experienced Glen Burnie DUI lawyer working to protect your rights and preserve your freedom.

A DUI arrest triggers two separate legal actions: A trial on the criminal charge and an administrative hearing, which can result in the loss of your driver’s license. The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink can represent you in both proceedings and will work to minimize the effect on your life and preserve your ability to drive.

Our team has extensive experience in the defense of drunk driving and traffic violation charges. Call our Glen Burnie DUI & traffic offense lawyers today at 410-705-7250 for a free initial consultation.

Maryland DUI Cases

Driving under the influence is a serious problem in Maryland. In 2023, 116 fatal crashes occurred due to the use of alcohol. A total of 1,668 alcohol-involved crashes caused personal injuries, and another 3,871 caused property damage.

Effective Strategies

In some cases, a DUI/DWI charge can be overcome. The arresting officer may not have had probable cause to stop your car. The officer may not have had cause to continue the investigation. The breath test may not have been conducted properly.

In these situations, our firm will undertake a vigorous defense on your behalf. In other cases, the State may have good evidence against you. In these situations, it may make sense to obtain an acceptable plea agreement, put the event behind you, and move forward with your life.

The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink will evaluate your situation and provide the strongest representation possible.

Challenging Field Sobriety Tests

The consequences of a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) will affect your life for years. You can lose your driver’s license, pay steep fines, and face jail time.

A Legal Challenge Is Possible

You have the right to contest the charge against you. The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, can help. Our attorneys are experienced with DUI/DWI defense, including challenging the admissibility of chemical test or field sobriety test results. There are many variables that play a role in DUI cases that can lead to charges being dismissed, reduced, or thrown out altogether. Examining every aspect of your DUI case with your lawyer will be critical in your defense.

Did the Results Mean Anything?

DUI/DWI defense can turn on determining the validity of the arrest and the evidence gathered. In most cases, this includes Breathalyzer tests, blood tests, and field sobriety tests. If these tests have been performed incorrectly, the results may be suppressed.

If you were pulled over for drunk driving, you may have been given field sobriety tests such as:

• Alphabet test
• Standing on one foot and counting
• Touching a finger to your nose
• Heel-to-toe test (walking a straight line)
• Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test (following an object with your eyes)

These tests are notoriously unreliable and are often given under poor conditions. We will investigate the circumstances of any field tests you were given, including whether they were conducted on a flat or sloped surface, in inclement weather, and whether the officer asked you if you had a physical disability.

After we examine how the tests were administered, we will determine if the results are admissible. If they are not, we will argue for the evidence to be suppressed and, when appropriate, for a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

Challenging Breathalyzer and Blood Test Results

If you were charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI), the situation may seem hopeless, but it is important to speak with an attorney before pleading guilty. An attorney will have a clear understanding of local DUI laws and how to leverage them to get you positive results.

Why Challenge the Results?

Your blood alcohol content (BAC) is one of the most critical factors in the case against you. If your BAC is .08 percent or higher, you may be charged with DUI. If it is up to .07 percent, you may be charged with DWI.

Results of Breathalyzer and blood tests can be suppressed if the tests are not conducted correctly. The conditions of the tests are extremely important. We may argue for the suppression of this evidence for reasons such as:

• The person who administers the test was not properly trained on the equipment
• The testing equipment is defective or improperly calibrated
• You have a medical condition that affects the conditions or results of the test
• You hiccuped or vomited during the Breathalyzer test
• The test results were not within the correct range
• The police did not observe you for the correct amount of time
• The police had no cause to pull you over or suspect you of drunk driving

Do not plead guilty until you have discussed your case with a Glen Burnie DUI attorney. There may be valid reasons to challenge the evidence against you.

Experience Handling a Wide Range of Traffic Violations

In Maryland, a traffic violation can result in a fine and/or jail sentence and increase your insurance rates. For persons with multiple violations, it can result in the loss of their license. The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink can represent you with the aim of minimizing the effects on your life and preserving your driver’s license.

We represent clients in matters involving traffic violations, such as:

• Speeding
• Driving with a suspended license
• Driving without a license
• Driving without insurance
• Reckless driving
• Running a red light
• Failure to yield
• And others

Our firm also works to obtain reinstatement of driving privileges for persons whose licenses have been suspended.

DUI Penalties in Maryland

The penalties for DUI in Maryland can be steep. If you’re convicted at the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County for a first offense, you could face fines of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail. Your license may be revoked for up to six months, and you could get 12 points assessed on your driving record.

Second-time offenders can face up to two years imprisonment and fines of up to $2,000, plus a license revocation for one year. If you get two convictions within five years, you’ll also have to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program.

Hire a DUI Lawyer

If you’re one of the many people who have been accused of drunk driving in Maryland, your next step is clear. You need to hire a DUI lawyer. Your lawyer can help you with everything from filing paperwork and keeping track of deadlines to coming up with an effective strategy for defending you against the charges in court. You can trust our attorneys to provide skillful legal services at affordable prices.

At the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, we will work with you to determine the admissibility of the evidence in your DUI/DWI case. The results and conditions of all Breathalyzer tests, blood tests, and field sobriety tests must be thoroughly examined. If these tests were incorrectly administered or evaluated, we can argue for the suppression of the results and, when appropriate, a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

FAQs

Q: How Much Is a DUI Lawyer in Maryland?

A: How much a DUI lawyer is in Maryland depends on the circumstances surrounding your case. Simple cases that get thrown out quickly or end in plea bargains during negotiations are less expensive than more complex ones that must go to court to find a resolution. The easiest way to find out what you should expect to pay is to contact a Glen Burnie DUI attorney.

Q: How Often Do DUI Cases Get Dismissed?

A: DUI cases get dismissed relatively often. You can improve your chances of getting your DUI case dismissed by working with a dedicated lawyer. Your lawyer may be able to challenge breathalyzer results or other evidence to get it thrown out, leaving the prosecution unable to move forward with their case against you and leading to a dismissal.

Q: What Makes a DUI Case Weak?

A: Evidence-related factors can make a DUI case weak. Unreliable breathalyzer results are one of the most common sources of dismissals. Improperly administered field sobriety tests and incomplete police documentation can also weaken the prosecution’s case, as can evidence that the police officers involved in your arrest violated your constitutional rights. Your lawyer may also be able to identify chain-of-custody issues with blood samples that weaken the case.

Q: What Is a Good Plea Deal for a DUI?

A: A good deal for a DUI is Probation Before Judgment. Available for first-time offenses, this deal allows you to avoid having a conviction on your record, points on your license, and jail time. You just need to complete probation successfully, abiding by any terms set by the judge. Other good outcomes include the reduction of DUI charges to reckless driving charges.

Glen Burnie DUI Lawyer

If you’ve been pulled over for driving under the influence, a DUI lawyer can help you defend yourself in court and protect your rights throughout the legal process. The team here at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, has years of experience in defending clients facing DUI charges. We can help. Contact our team today and find out how our Glen Burnie DUI & traffic offense lawyers can put their knowledge and experience to work for you.