Every day, Maryland DUI lawyers represent individuals who have been stopped because police officers suspected that they were driving while intoxicated. Police officers will ask the suspected drunk driver to submit to a number of sobriety tests. If the individual refuses to take the breathalyzer test, the police have a difficult decision--do they charge that person with only refusing a breathalyzer test, or do they give them a driving while intoxicated charge as well? Law enforcement officers around the country have debated this for many years. It is current policy that in the situation, the person would receive both charges.

Some avoided this protocol for while before agreeing to it. Automatically giving a double charge when suspecting a motorist of driving while intoxicated, would hinder the officer from handling the situation objectively. Police officers need to seriously analyze the situation and weigh in all evidence before making a charge. While the decision to also administer a DUI charge is ultimately up to the officer, state police departments encourage the double charge.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, police officers nationwide arrested many people for refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test--and had prime opportunity to employ the newly enforced double charge. Included in the group of those arrested is veteran federal prosecutor Gerard B. Sullivan. However, there was just one crucial difference--he was the only one who avoided a DUI charge as well. Two motorists told officers that he appeared "out of it" at a green light and proceeded to swerve continuously and hit curbs. When police caught up with Sullivan, he admitted to driving drunk and was taken to the station. Even though he was the only one that escaped a DUI charge, his job is in serious jeopardy as a result.

Facing criminal charges of driving while intoxicated is an overwhelming and scary process. Conviction of drunk driving will have life altering consequences including the loss of job and driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. For the best protection of your personal freedoms and liberties, it is important to contact a hard-working and experienced Maryland DUI attorney or Maryland criminal lawyer immediately.

Practicing law in a metropolitan area, it is common for a Maryland DUI lawyer to represent famous individuals on charges of drunk driving. Examples of cases handled are much like the incident involving reality t.v. star Shayne Lamas, who was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The Bachelor and Leave it to Lamas star was out on the town with friends, when she willingly drove through a mandatory check-point on her way home. According to her testimony, she believed that she would pass the breathalyzer test. However, when the breathalyzer test indicated that Lamas was over the state legal limit, she was immediately arrested for driving while intoxicated. After a quick night in the drunk tank, Lamas was released the next morning.

Although Lamas was due in court for her misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charges on December 9th, the reality t.v.star decided to take matters into her own hands. Two days before her court appearance, Lamas pled guilty to a lesser charge of "wet reckless" driving instead of a more serious driving while intoxicated charge. "Wet reckless" driving can replace driving under the influence charges when there is a non-injury incident.

However, this is the only break she is likely to receive. Insurance companies treat "wet reckless" driving the same as driving under the influence, and it still counts on a person's record as a DUI if he/she is convicted of another DUI within ten years of the incident. The judge sentenced Lamas to three years of probation and to undergo alcohol education and complete a county run and organized program. This a similar sentence to what many other celebrities have received for their driving while intoxicated charges, including Khloe Kardashian and Lindsay Lohan. Lastly, Lamas was fined $300 for her DUI charges.

Being accused of driving while intoxicated charges is a difficult and scary process for anyone to go through, regardless of celebrity status. Conviction of a DUI will have numerous severe consequences including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. Therefore, it is vital to contact a hard-working Maryland DUI attorney, who will give you the best legal advice and legal representation possible for your case.

Practicing law in a metropolitan area, it is common for a Maryland DUI lawyer to represent a number of celebrity clients who have been accused of driving while intoxicated charges. Cases handled are much like that of reality T.V. star Stephanie Pratt from 'The Hills', who was arrested after police suspected that she was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Pratt, along with the other stars of 'The Hills', was celebrating cast member Holly Montag's twenty-sixth birthday at a downtown hot spot, Empire. After celebrating for several hours, the group decided to relocate. At the end of the night, everyone took their own cars home, including Pratt.Shortly after she drove away, police pulled Pratt over for erratic driving, with suspicions that she had been driving while intoxicated. Pratt took two separate breathalyzer tests--one reading 0.8 and the other 0.9. Although the legal limit is 0.8, the police still arrested Pratt and took her to county jail. She was released the next day on $5,000 bail. By October 28th, Pratt officially received misdemeanor drunk driving charges. If convicted, she faces up to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.

Pratt's drunk driving arrest shows how seriously law enforcement officials treat driving under the influence. Even though the reality star was right on the legal limit to drive, she was still booked on driving while intoxicated charges.

Facing driving while intoxicated charges is an overwhelming process for anyone to go through, regardless of celebrity status. Conviction of a DUI can be life changing and result in the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent your personal liberties and freedoms from being compromised, it is essential to contact an experienced and hard-working Maryland DUI attorney immediately.