There are many different factors an officer will look at prior to stopping a vehicle. First the police officer that stops you must have probable cause to pull your vehicle over and question you. The most obvious reasons for an officer pulling over an automobile is erratic driving. Unexplained changes of speed, excessive lane changing, swerving of the vehicle, changing lanes without signaling and running stop signs or lights would all be considered erratic driving. These are all good indications of someone that may be drinking and driving.
There are many cases when police officers will wait outside of establishments and look for erratic behavior from the patrons. These behaviors would include slurring, stumbling, fighting, swaying or having the appearance of not knowing where you are. Once you have entered the car and turned on your ignition, they have the right to arrest you for a Maryland DWI.
Another common DWI stop is a checkpoint. These checkpoints are typically strategically set-up and most commonly occur during the holiday season. During a checkpoint they will set-up a parameter and once you have crossed into their parameter there is no turning back.
When you are being stopped for a Maryland DWI you must first understand you have rights. You first have the right to contact a Maryland DWI lawyer prior to answering any targeted questions that could ultimately hurt you in court. It's illegal to drive drunk but its not illegal to have a few drinks and operate a motor vehicle just so long as you are not impaired. There are always cases in which an officer will put you under arrest because he smells alcohol and because many of the testing methods are unfair and incorrect, you will be assumed intoxicated and arrested on the spot.
Our Maryland DWI lawyers are experience criminal attorneys that fight for the rights of all our clients. If you have been charged in Maryland for a DWI we ask you to contact us today for a free consultation.
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We are taking Maryland DWI cases throughout MD. These are a list of counties in which we represent: Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Calvert County, Caroline County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Charles County, Dorchester County, Frederick County, Garrett County, Harford County, Howard County, Kent County, Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, PG County, Queen Annes County, Saint Marys County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Washington County, Wicomico County and Worcester County.
