Can You Refuse a Breathalyzer in Maryland?
Maryland’s implied consent law requires drivers lawfully detained for suspected DUI to take a breathalyzer test when officers request it. You can refuse, but doing so triggers automatic penalties through the MVA, including a longer license suspension and, in some cases, a mandatory ignition interlock. Refusal also affects your criminal case in...
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Third DUI in Maryland: Penalties and Defense Options
A third DUI in Maryland faces some of the state’s harshest drunk-driving penalties, including mandatory jail time, long-term ignition interlock, and significant license consequences. Courts view third offenses as high-risk, and prosecutors often seek maximum sentences. But a third DUI charge is not the same as a conviction. Many cases still...
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DUI Arrests During the Holidays: What to Do Next
After a DUI arrest in Maryland, you should act quickly because the case immediately triggers both criminal charges and possible license suspension by the MVA. Prompt legal action allows an attorney to request an MVA hearing, protect your driving privileges, review the evidence, and ensure your rights...
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Field Sobriety Test Mistakes That Could Help Your DUI Defense
If you’ve been pulled over for suspected driving under the influence (DUI) in Annapolis or elsewhere in Anne Arundel County, the officer may attempt to require you to perform field sobriety tests (FSTs). While these tests are intended to measure impairment, they are highly subjective, and mistakes in administration can significantly weaken...
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DUI Blood Tests vs. Breath Tests: What Maryland Drivers Need to Know
When you’re pulled over on suspicion of DUI in Maryland, you may be asked to take a chemical test to measure your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Most drivers know about the breath test, but fewer understand how blood tests work or the differences between the two. Both play a big role in...
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What Happens to Your License After a DUI Arrest in Maryland?
After a DUI arrest in Maryland, police take your license and issue a 45-day temporary one, after which you face suspension unless you request an MVA hearing or enter the ignition interlock program. The suspension length depends on whether you failed or refused the breath test, though hearings,...
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How to Fight a DUI Charge After Failing a Breath Test
Failing the results of a breath test during a DUI stop can feel like the end of the road, but it doesn’t automatically mean you will be convicted. Breathalyzer results are not always reliable, and Maryland law provides several avenues for challenging them. From machine calibration to police errors, there are many...
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Understanding the Ignition Interlock Program in Maryland
If you’ve been charged with or convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in Maryland, you may have heard of the Ignition Interlock Program. It’s one of the main tools the state uses to prevent repeat drunk driving incidents while still allowing people to drive for work, family, and daily needs. Understanding...
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DUI and Hit & Run Charges: Can You Be Charged with Both?
Most people know that driving under the influence (DUI) and leaving the scene of an accident (hit-and-run) are serious crimes in Maryland. But what many don’t realize is that these charges can—and often do—occur together in the same case.
At Hartman Attorneys at Law, we’ve defended clients in...
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Can I Be Charged with DUI in Maryland if I Passed a Field Sobriety Test?
Field sobriety tests are often seen as a “make-or-break” moment during a DUI stop. Many drivers believe that if they pass the walk-and-turn or balance test, they’re in the clear. Unfortunately, passing a field sobriety test doesn’t always stop an officer from making an arrest, and it certainly won’t guarantee that you...
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Do I Have to Comply with a Field Sobriety Test in Maryland?
If you’re pulled over in Maryland and suspected of driving under the influence, one of the first things an officer may ask is:
“Would you be willing to step out of the vehicle and perform some field sobriety tests?” In this moment, many drivers aren’t sure what to do....
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How Does a DUI Affect a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Maryland?
If you drive for a living, a DUI arrest doesn’t just threaten your driver’s license—it threatens your entire livelihood. Commercial drivers in Maryland are held to much stricter standards under both state and federal law, and even a first-time DUI offense can lead to disqualification of your commercial driver’s license (CDL).
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