If you have been charged with either a DUI or DWI in the state of Maryland, it is important to be aware that you can face significant consequences if you are convicted. An experienced criminal law attorney can assess your situation from all angles and help look for any possible defenses that can help win your case. There are a number of factors that your attorney can analyze to help challenge your DUI or DWI charge and either have your case reduced or dismissed altogether.
How can evidence against me be challenged in court?
One of the first things that a criminal defense attorney will look for when trying to help you with your case is whether the initial stop was lawful. If your attorney determines that the law enforcement officer illegally stopped your vehicle, any evidence that the officer may have gathered during the stop may be deemed inadmissible in court.
Another assessment that your attorney must make is whether the field sobriety tests issued were within the parameters of the law. Field Sobriety Tests are designed to test the motor skills and balance of an individual who may be intoxicated. If the individual taking the test shows enough “clues” pointing to their intoxication, the officer may have reason to believe that they are intoxicated. There are three Field Sobriety Tests used in Maryland: the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the Walk and Turn test, and the One Leg Stand test. The law enforcement officer conducting your stop must follow the guidelines of how Field Sobriety Tests must be administered. Some of the defenses for a failed Field Sobriety Test are as follows:
- The officer did not provide all of the instructions or correct instructions
- The officer did not demonstrate the test
- The officer did not inform the individual they are permitted to remove shoes or change their shoes
- The individual has health issues that make passing the test impossible
If you have been charged with a DWI or DUI in Maryland, contact our firm today to learn how we can help.
The Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz has decades of experience representing clients in Howard County, Maryland who have been charged with a crime. If you are facing criminal charges, let our firm explore all possible defenses and fight to protect your future. We also represent individuals who have been injured by the negligence of another party. Contact the Law Offices of Debra A. Saltz today to discuss your case.
