What to Expect Following A DUI Arrest in Howard County
Being arrested for driving under the influence can be an incredibly frightening experience, especially if you are unsure of what is going to take place, or how long you will be held. For this reason, the following is basic information on what you can expect following a DUI arrest and when to get in touch with a Howard County DUI lawyer. For more specific information regarding your case, call and schedule a consultation today.
What Takes Place After A DUI Arrest
When an officer takes you into custody after a DUI stop you are taken back to either the station or the barracks, which is a state trooper’s station where the Intoximeter is located. At this location is where a formal breath test will be administered by a chemist.
You may then be brought in front of a commissioner and released on your own recognizance or you may have to bond out depending on the incident itself and whether there was an accident or if you have priors. Upon your release you will receive your citation and are free to resume your daily life.
Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake to avoid both before and after an arrest are giving an officer too much information. As honest as you want to be, talking too much gives them evidence against you they likely wouldn’t have otherwise.
To avoid this mistake you should be polite, but only answer with, “Yes, sir. No, sir. Yes, ma’am. No, ma’am.” Hand them your license and registration. If you choose to submit to the Field Sobriety Testing you do them to the best of your ability but do not talk back. Do not make the issue bigger than it already is. The more interaction there is, the more information you give and the more the state has to use in the prosecution. Also, the less cooperative you are the more likely that that evidence will be piled up against you.
Refusing a BAC Testing
Maryland license holders have to remember that when they are issued their license and they sign it, the rear of the license says that driving in Maryland implies consent to extensive chemical testing for intoxication as required by law, and with your signature you acknowledge that you understand a longer license suspension can result on refusal to be tested.
The DR15 form which an officer writes and which should be read to you has a box for refusal to be tested. If this box is checked off you will face a 270-day suspension or a year of ignition interlock for a first offense.
When to Contact An Attorney
The moment you receive your citation and walk out, regardless of the hour or time of day, you should call an attorney. This is a very serious matter and you want to talk to an attorney while everything is fresh on your mind. This will not only help you provide as much information as possible about your case, but will also help your attorney investigate as soon as possible ensuring that the strongest possible defense can be built.
Can You Contact An Attorney During a DUI Stop?
No. Generally the presumption is most DUIs happen late in the evening and not while attorneys are still in their offices or immediately available. Also, the testing requirements for the Standard Field Sobriety Tests and the breath tests are time sensitive, so there is no immediate right for you to contact an attorney.