Category: DUI

Underage DUI cases in Maryland are governed by a zero-tolerance framework, meaning drivers under 21 can face penalties even with very low alcohol readings. For young drivers, these cases can affect their licenses, school, and future opportunities. For parents, they raise immediate concerns about records, insurance, and long-term consequences. Because impairment...

A DUI arrest while your license is already suspended in Maryland exposes you to significantly harsher penalties than a standard DUI. Courts treat these cases as high-risk because they involve both impaired driving and a prior violation of driving restrictions. Jail time, extended suspension, ignition interlock, and long-term record consequences are...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...