Elkridge DUI Attorneys

Lawyers Representing Clients in DUI and DWI Cases in Elkridge, MD

The roads and highways in and around Elkridge experience steady traffic as people commute through the area. Local and state law enforcement agencies patrol the roads in Elkridge, watching for impaired drivers. A driver who is pulled over in a situation where an officer suspects that they have been drinking may face questions, be asked to perform tests, and be arrested for DUI. The penalties they may face could end up affecting nearly every part of their life.

People who have been arrested for DUI can turn to Law Offices of Mallon Snyder to receive a thorough defense. Our attorneys can provide the representation needed to address accusations of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and we can challenge the procedures followed by officers during traffic stops or the evidence gathered during and after an arrest. Our goal is not only to provide legal representation to help address DUI charges, but also to make sure clients will be able to minimize the stress of appearing in court by preparing them for answering questions and presenting a good appearance to a judge.

Where DUI Stops May Happen in Elkridge

Police officers may stop drivers on any road, but they tend to focus on busy corridors and areas near restaurants or bars where people may have been drinking. Some common locations for DUI traffic stops include:

• Interstate 95: This major highway connects Upper Marlboro to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Police may be on the lookout for drivers who are acting unsafely and putting others at risk on this highway.
• U.S. Highway 1: Because of heavy traffic and intersections on this highway, people who are accused of violations like running red lights or tailgating may be at risk of being stopped and arrested for DUI.
• State Highway 100: This road connects Elkridge with nearby communities and shopping areas. Police may be watching for unsafe driving, and they may stop and arrest people who they believe are intoxicated.

Police may also set up sobriety checkpoints in these locations or other areas. Officers may stop vehicles in a planned pattern, looking for signs of impairment when they speak to drivers. Suspicions that a person is intoxicated may lead them to investigate further, and they may perform arrests of drivers who are believed to be intoxicated.

Times When DUI Arrests Are More Likely

On certain days and at certain times, police officers may be watching for drivers who may have been drinking. Many DUI arrests take place during late nights on Fridays and Saturdays, especially between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Enforcement efforts may also increase on the days around holidays and major events, including New Year's Eve, the Fourth of July, Labor Day weekend, the night before Thanksgiving, and major sports games. Regardless of when stops occur, officers will need a valid legal reason to pull drivers over, and they must have probable cause before they can arrest drivers for DUI.

Why Officers Pull Drivers Over for DUI

An officer will need to have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity to stop a vehicle. An officer may measure a vehicle's speed using a radar device and pull a driver over for speeding. They may witness other traffic violations, such as disobeying a red light or stop sign. They may decide to stop drivers who are showing behavior that may be related to impairment, such as weaving across the road, driving well below the speed limit, braking suddenly, or making wide turns. Even minor violations like a broken taillight or the failure to use a turn signal could be reasons to stop drivers and investigate them for DUI.

After pulling someone over, an officer may look for signs of intoxication as they speak to the driver. They may see that a driver has bloodshot eyes or other physical signs related to alcohol or drug use. They may believe that a driver who stumbles over their words or has difficulty retrieving their driver's license has been drinking. Other evidence may also play a role in a case, such as bottles or cans of alcoholic drinks in a vehicle or the smell of alcohol on a person's breath or clothing.

Portable Breath Tests During Traffic Stops

An officer may ask a driver to blow into a small handheld device that will measure alcohol on their breath. This device is called a preliminary breath test (PBT), and it can provide an estimate of a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If the reading indicates that a person may be over the legal limit (.08 percent), this may be enough reason for an officer to arrest the driver.

Portable breathalyzer devices are not as accurate as the equipment used at police stations, and they generally cannot be used as evidence in a DUI case. Their purpose is to give an officer probable cause to arrest a driver for DUI. A driver is allowed to refuse to take a PBT during a traffic stop.

Field Sobriety Tests

In addition to PBTs, officers will often use field sobriety tests during traffic stops as they gather information that they can use to determine whether to arrest drivers. These tests involve standardized procedures, and officers are required to provide drivers with instructions on tasks to perform, which may include walking several steps in a line or remaining balanced on one foot for several seconds. They will see how well a person can maintain balance and follow instructions, and they will watch for behavior that may be caused by intoxication.

Like preliminary breath tests, field sobriety tests are not mandatory in Maryland. Drivers are allowed to refuse. In situations where people have been arrested after taking field sobriety tests, our attorneys can review video footage of a traffic stop and challenge the observations made by officers, taking steps to show that a person was not impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Contact Our Elkridge, Maryland DUI Lawyers

At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our lawyers can determine the best defenses against DUI charges. We may challenge the reasons for a traffic stop, the tests performed at the roadside, or breath tests or blood tests performed after an arrest. We can highlight mistakes made by officers or evidence showing that a person did not violate the law by driving under the influence. To set up a free consultation and get the defense needed in these situations, contact our Elkridge, MD DUI attorneys at 301-762-7500.