Maryland State Police Colonel Deploying More Troopers for DUI & DWI Saturation for St. Patrick's Day

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

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On March 15, 2011, Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan ordered the deployment of additional State Police DUI and DWI saturation patrols in each county in Maryland.  That includes DUI and DWI saturation patrols in Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County and all other counties in Maryland.  The DUI and DWI saturation patrols will commence later this week to coincide with the increase in drinking and driving that occurs as a result of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.  St. Patrick’s Day this year is on March 17, 2011.

Colonel Sheridan said, “We know from experience that St. Patrick’s Day celebrations increase the number of drunk drivers on our roads and the risk of highway tragedies resulting from drunken driving crashes,”  he went on to say, “our goal is to keep our highways safe and additional DUI patrols at each of our 22 barracks will help us do that.  We do not wish to diminish anyone’s celebration.  We want to remind people of their responsibility to use common sense, make plans ahead of time, and make a commitment not to get behind the wheel after consuming alcoholic beverages.”  

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help. 

A recent newspaper survey indicated more than half of Americans will be celebrating this St. Patrick's Day.  Almost one third of those celebrating say they will be attending a party at a bar or restaurant.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 103 traffic crash fatalities nationwide on St. Patrick’s Day in 2009.  Of those, 37 percent involved an impaired driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.  A reading of .08 or higher in the State of Maryland is per se driving under the influence.  If you are arrested on or during the St. Patrick's day celebration, contact our office at 410.288.2900 to speak with a DUI/DWI Defense Attorney in Maryland.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

Maryland State Police DUI (driving under the influence) & DWI (driving while impaired) arrest numbers from 2010 clearly show the increase in arrests that occur during the period of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.  During the five days before St. Patrick’s Day 2010, Maryland state troopers made an average of 16 DUI arrests per day statewide.  On St. Patrick’s Day and the next four days last year, state troopers made an average of 38 DUI arrests, more than doubling the daily average of the week before.  These statistics do not include the number of DUI and DWI arrested made by County and City police departments.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

In Maryland, a first offense for driving under the influence could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and a sentence of up to one year in jail.  In addition, the violation would mean 12 points on the offender’s driver’s license and a license revocation for six months.  Driver’s licenses are confiscated by police from those refusing to take a blood alcohol test and from those whose test result is .08 or higher.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

Those planning to drink alcoholic beverages are urged to make plans to get home safely before they begin drinking.  Options include arranging for a sober driver, to whom you gave your keys, to drive you home; use a taxi; call a friend or family member to pick you up; or use public transportation.  If you drink, do not drive, the affects on your life can be devastating.  In addition, you would cause an accident that may result in injury to another driver or pedestrian.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

                
State troopers in Maryland continue to urge motorists to contact police if they see a driver who might be operating under the influence.  The Maryland Department of Transportation will more likely than not be using the large electrical billboards providing contact numbers for motorists to call police and warn them of drunk drivers. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies will make every attempt to locate the driver and take the appropriate enforcement action.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

The additional troopers deployed by State Police will be on overtime and funded through a DUI enforcement grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office.  All troopers on regular patrol duty will also be on the alert for drunk drivers.

Q: What do I do if arrested or charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland?

A: Contact the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, 24/7 by calling 410.288.2900.  You will speak with an experienced Maryland DUI & DWI Attorney that can answer your questions.

Local Maryland DUI & DWI Attorneys Available 24/7.  

Call 410.288.2900 for Immediate DUI & DWI Help.

Parole for life sentences: Maryland governor's role is important - baltimoresun.com

Great letter written by Scott Shellenberger, State's Attorney for Baltimore County, Maryland. Parole for life sentences: Maryland governor's role is important - baltimoresun.com

Statistics for the Ignition Interlock in Maryland

Below find some basis data on the use of the Maryland Ignition Interlock program for drivers arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) (both alcohol, drugs, or both.)

State Ignition Interlock Program:   According to MVA, about 8,000 drivers participate annually in the Maryland ignition interlock program.  About 6,000 drivers are in the program at any one time and about 2,000 cycle out of the program on a recurring basis due either to successful completion or failure to complete the program.  In fiscal 2010, 3,244 people successfully completed the program and 2,997 people withdrew due to failure to complete program requirements.  Participants generally are repeat offenders or offenders who refused a BAC test or had a BAC test result of 0.15 or more.  A participant must pay a fee to an ignition interlock provider for device installation and maintenance unless exempted due to financial hardship.  These fees are not regulated by MVA.  MVA does not impose a program fee although it has statutory authority to do so.  The participant must have the device serviced and data downloaded by the vendor every 30 days.  Five vendors are certified by MVA to provide equipment for the program.  MVA monitors participants through the data reports from the vendors.  Violations, such as attempting to start or operate a vehicle with a BAC greater than 0.025, failing to submit to a retest after starting the vehicle, tampering with the interlock device, having another person blow into the device, or operating a vehicle without a device, can result in removal from the program or an extension of the person’s required period of participation.

Visit the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, for more information on DUI & DWI Defense.

Maryland House Introduces Bill to Require Ignition Interlock for DUI DWI Offenders

Below is an excerpt from the House Bill 1276 in the 2011 Legislative session that would require drivers arrested for DUI or DWI to participate in an ignition interlock program.

For the purpose of expanding participation in the Ignition Interlock System Program by  authorizing certain  individuals  who have  committed  a  certain alcohol–related administrative offense  to be  participants under certain circumstances;  requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to establish the Program in accordance with certain statutory provisions; requiring rather than authorizing the Administration to establish a certain protocol; expanding participation in the Program  by  requiring  certain individuals  to  participate in the Program for certain periods of time and successfully complete the Program as a condition of modification of a license suspension or revocation and issuance of a restrictive license; requiring the Administration to impose a certain license restriction for certain periods of time under certain circumstances; requiring the Administration to suspend for certain periods of time  or revoke  the licenses of certain individuals who  refuse to participate in or fail to  successfully complete the Program; requiring the Administration to establish a certain fee; requiring individuals in the Program to be monitored by the Administration and to pay a certain fee under certain circumstances; requiring certain service providers to demonstrate a certain ability under certain circumstances;  providing that certain Program participation under this Act shall be concurrent with Program participation  under any other provision of  the Maryland Vehicle Law; establishing that certain information provided to the Administration is sufficient for the Administration to exercise its authority to allow a participant in the Program to operate a motor vehicle owned or provided by the person’s employer in the course of employment without an ignition interlock system under  certain circumstances; clarifying language;  defining certain terms; and generally relating to the Ignition Interlock System Program.

You can find the body of the Bill here.

If you have been arrested for DUI or DWI, contact us immediately to discuss your options and potential consequences.  We can help you keep your license and right to drive as well as prevent jail time.  Call 410.288.2900 for immediate DUI, DWI Help.

In 2009, 162 people lost their lives in Maryland from DUI and DWI drivers.  We want to prevent any future deaths and consult an attorney that can help guide you through recovery and successful Court appearances.

Now Meeting clients by appointment only in Towson, MD

Looking for a Criminal Defense, DUI, DWI, Traffic Ticket, Personal Injury Lawyer in or near Towson, Maryland, contact the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, at 410.288.2900.  We have the ability to meet you be appointment only, right across the street from the Baltimore County District Court.  We have represented and tried in front of Judges and juries, thousands of criminal law, DUI/DWI law, injury law cases, in Maryland.  Let our experience go to work for you.  Want the best possible outcome in your criminal case, want to challenge a DUI or DWI stop, is the insurance company not giving you what you deserve, trying to avoid the MVA points from a traffic stop?  Call our office 24/7 and we can help guide and advise you on all of these complex legal matters.

Looking for a Criminal Defense, DUI, DWI, Personal Injury in Talbot County, MD?

The Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, is now representing clients in Talbot County, Maryland.  We handle criminal law, (Assault, battery, burglary, CDS charges, drug charges, felonies, grand theft, homicide, kidnapping, larceny, motor vehicle theft. prescription drug charges, robbery, theft, weapon chares, DNR violations, and all other Maryland Criminal violations) DUI (Drivintg under the influence) and DWI (Driving while impaired) defense, traffic tickets, personal injury, car accidents, medical malpractice, and all other trial attorney matters.

In Talbot County, we are helping the residents in Easton, Oxford, Queen Anne, Saint Michaels, Trappe, Cordova, Tilghman Island navigate their difficult legal issues.

Visit our website if you need a lawyer in Talbot County, Maryland.

If you need a criminal defense/criminal law, DUI, DWI, traffic ticket, or personal injury lawyer in or around Talbot County, Maryland, contact the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, at 410.288.2900.  Every consulation is free and we can help resolve your Talbot County criminal law, DUI, DWI, personal injury matter.

Tougher Laws on Use of Cell Phones while Driving in Maryland

The Maryland House of Delegates voted 91 to 40 to allow Maryland police officers to conduct traffic stops of drivers that are using their cell phones.  Let's start with the language that most people do not understand; What is a primary offense and a secondary offense in Maryland.

A primary offense is one of the hundreds of Transportation Article Violations in Maryland that when an officer observes a driver or has reasonable articulable suspicion that you are violating a primary traffic offense while driving or on the public highways in Maryland, then he can conduct a traffic stop.  As opposed to a secondary offense, which means the officer cannot base a traffic stop on your offense, but can issue a ticket if you are stopped for another primary offense.

So, as the Maryland law is written now, a police officer cannot pull you over for talking on your cell phone, but if you are speeding and the officer pulls you over and observes you talking on your cell phone while driving, then that officer can issue a traffic ticket for the cell phone use.  As it stands, the secondary offense for using a cell phone while driving carries a maximum penalty of $40.00 for the first offense and $100.00 for a second or subsequent offense.  The Maryland House of Delegates do not want to increase the fines, they just want to allow officers to conduct more traffic stops based on your cell phone use.

As a Baltimore, Maryland criminal defense attorney, this smells a little bit like an excuse for police to make more stops that are discussed as traffic stops for cell phone use, but their real intentions are to allow the officers a chance to search your vehicle or conduct other investigations.  If it was about penalizing drivers, why then are they not raising the fines?

The bill now moves to the Maryland Senate, where if you remember, the original cell phone ban while driving bill had a much more difficult time passing.  It will be interesting to see if the Senate is willing to extend the current law and allow officers to make traffic stops for cell phone use while driving.

If you have been stopped in the State of Maryland and issued a traffic ticket for speeding, using your cell phone, or any other traffic offense, including DUI and DWI, contact me at my office, 410.288.2900.

Baltimore County Detention Center Work Release Program

Would like to learn about the Baltimore County Detention Center Work Release Program.   I  had a client last week in my office that's facing his third DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge.  He had been unable to afford an alcohol/substance abuse program and he and I both knew that he would be sentenced to some period of time in the Baltimore County Detention Center when he went before the Judge in Baltimore County, Maryland.  He has a good job, that has taken him a while to get, and he doesn't want to lose it.  The solution, recommend to the Court when he's sentenced that he be allowed to participate in the work release program at the Baltimore County Detention Center.  Follow this think to find out how he'll be able to get ahead of the application process and if you are facing the same situation, you can learn how to pre-apply for the Baltimore County Detention Center Work Release program.

Baltimore County Police Announce DUI Patrols for St. Patrick's Day

March 7, 2011, Baltimore County Police Department issued a press release indicating they will be out in force this St. Patrick's day enforcing the State of Maryland's DUI and DWI laws. The Baltimore County Police officers assigned to enforce the DUI & DWI statutes will be meeting on March 16, 2011, the day before St. Patty's day, to coordinate traffic operations with other state agencies, as well as review their field sobriety tests (walk and turn, one leg stand, and horizontal gaze nystagmus), legal issues, and signs/indicators of DUI and DWI drivers.

On St. Patrick's day, the police officers will participate in a two hour wrap-up meeting with motivational speaker Debbie Hardy, who tragically lost her 13-year old daughter to an accident caused by a drunk driver in October of 2003.

St. Patrick's day is well known for parties and green beer, but the Baltimore County Police Department want drivers to known that if they plan to drink and drive they will be caught by the police. They are encouraging the use of designated drivers or taking a taxi from the festivities.

The Baltimore County Police Department will be using saturation patrols in well documented DUI and DWI areas. This means that if you're leaving a bar or night club that has had prior DUI and DWI arrests, officers will be watching these areas for potential drunk drivers.

They do want all revelers to enjoy St. Patrick's day, but also want everyone to have a safe St. Patrick's day.

If you do find yourself arrested or charged for DUI or DWI in Baltimore County, Maryland this St. Patrick's day, contact the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, at 410.288.2900 or visit our website to learn more about your options after a DUI/DWI arrest.

We at the Baltimore County DUI & DWI Defense firm of Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, wish everyone a safe St. Patrick's day. Make sure that if you drink, don't drive. The Baltimore County Police department, including their DUI/DWI task force will be looking for drunk drivers.

Drunk driving can cost you a lot more than attorney fees, loss of privilege to drive, and fines.   You could take the life of another and that is something you'll never forget and haunt you for the rest of your life.

List of Baltimore City Police Officers Involved in Towing Scandal

For all criminal defense attorneys in Baltimore, Maryland, below is the list of Baltimore Police officers charged in the conspiracy investigation involving kick-backs from a local towing company.  Defense attorneys may want to review this list for potential witnesses in their pending Baltimore City criminal matters:

Hernan Alexis Moreno Mejia (Moreno), age 30, of Rosedale;

Edwin Javier Mejia, age 27, of Middle River;

Eddy Arias, age 39, of Catonsville;

Eric Ivan Ayala Olivera, age 35, of Edgewood;

Rodney Cintron, age 31, of Middle River;

Jhonn S. Corona, age 32, of Rosedale;

Michael Lee Cross, age 28, of Reisterstown;

Jerry Edward Diggs, Jr., age 24, of Baltimore;

Rafael Concepcion Feliciano Jr., age 30, of Baltimore;

Jaime Luis Lugo Rivera, age 35, of Aberdeen;

Kelvin Quade Manrich, age 41, of Gwynn Oak;

Luis Nunez, age 33, of Baltimore;

Samuel Ocasio, age 35, of Edgewood;

David Reeping, age 41, of Baltimore;

Jermaine Rice, age 28, of Owings Mills;

Leonel Rodriguez Torres, age 31, of Edgewood;

Marcos Fernando Urena, age 33, of Baltimore;

Osvaldo Valentine, age 38, of Edgewood;

Henry Yambo, age 28, of Reisterstown.