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What Is The Difference Between DUI And DWI In Maryland?
You may have had a couple drinks at a local bar during happy hour or over dinner at a restaurant in Annapolis. You are on your way home when you suddenly see police lights flashing in your rear-view mirror. Soon, you find yourself being arrested on drunk driving charges.
This is a situation no one wants to be in, but it does happen. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a basic understanding of drunk driving laws in Maryland, including the difference between a DUI and a DWI.
When will I be charged with DUI?
You will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or greater. This is known as being under the influence "per se." Basically, this means that, besides obtaining your BAC, police do not need to collect any other evidence to prove that you are under the influence of alcohol.
When will I be charged with DWI?
However, even if your BAC is below 0.08%, you still could face the lesser drunk driving charge, driving while impaired (DWI). A person can be charged with DWI based on observation, for example, if the driver is swerving, has alcohol on their breath or does not a field sobriety test. If, based on these observations, the arresting officer believes you are under the influence and cannot drive safely, you can be charged with DWI, even if your BAC is below the legal limit.
Arrestee In Nearby Howard County Faces 25 Different Charges
Being arrested and facing a criminal charge is hard enough. Facing 25 different criminal charges can be overwhelming for anyone. For one man who was arrested recently in nearby Howard County, that is exactly his current situation.
Human trafficking and prostitution charges
According to a recent report, all of the charges against the suspect – a 36-year-old man – were announced on February 5 after the man was previously arrested on February 3. Among the many charges the man faces are charges of prostitution, resisting arrest, drug distribution and human trafficking.
The reports indicate that the investigation in the case began from tips received by local law enforcement about prostitution taking place at a hotel. From there, law enforcement officials reportedly tracked the alleged illegal activity to the suspect who, at the time of his arrest, was alleged to have been found in possession of cocaine and heroin. The amount of illegal drugs allegedly found in the suspect’s possession led law enforcement officials to believe that he intended to distribute the drugs.
Will I Be Required To Install An Ignition Interlock Device?
As part of drunk driving charges in Massachusetts, an accused driver may be required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. For that reason, accused drivers should be aware of the requirements this will place on them, how ignition interlock devices work and how to protect themselves from drunk driving charges.
Who has to install an ignition interlock device?
Accused drivers who have multiple drunk driving offenses may be required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. Accused drivers may wonder how they work:
- Once an ignition interlock device has been placed on the driver’s vehicle, drivers will need to turn on the ignition of the vehicle and wait for the instructions displayed by the ignition interlock device. It will typically require them to take an initial breath alcohol test.
- The driver will then need to blow into the ignition interlock device until they have provided an acceptable breath alcohol test sample. If the driver passes the breath alcohol test, the ignition interlock device will allow them to start the vehicle’s ignition.
Parents Charged After Infant Ingests Opioid
Parenting is hard. It is something that all new parents quickly realize that regardless of how many books we read or YouTube videos we watch, there simply is no clear-cut way to be the ideal parent. Unfortunately, things happen, and sometimes, our kids get into things they should not and ingest things that are not for them. After all, kids stick everything in their mouths. Though, for one local couple, a possible inadvertent ingestion has led to criminal charges.
The disturbing story
Last November, a South County couple called 9-1-1 for their sick child. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the call for the Lothian 10-month-old child. The child was having trouble breathing, and EMS suspected that the child’s symptoms may have been a reaction to opioids. As such, they administered Narcan, and the infant began to get better. And, the infant recovered.
The alleged crime
Since Narcan only effects those experiencing an opioid overdose, they reported the incident to the police. The police found that the infant had indeed ingested an opioid. As a result, the parents were recently charged with child neglect and reckless endangerment and arrested. Though, the same day they were arrested, they were both released.
Local Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop In Westminster
If there is anything that we learned from 2020 and the beginning of 2021, it is that bad can always go to worse, even if we already think we are at the bottom. This is what one local is facing after his bad day of traffic stop turned into a devastating day marred by an arrest.
The traffic stop
The Annapolis man, aged 32, was driving last Tuesday when he was pulled over by the police. According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the traffic stop was initiated on the eastbound lane of Md. 140 near Old Westminster Pike. CCSO claims that the man was speeding.
The search
During the stop, CCSO claims that they "observed" indicators of controlled substances and/or criminal activity. As a result, they searched the vehicle, and this is when they allegedly discovered capsules containing white powdery residue, which they "suspected" was heroin.
During the initial contact, the man allegedly told the officer that there was a piece of an AR-15 rifle in the trunk of the vehicle. After a search of the trunk, police claim they found AR-15 pieces, a handgun and ammunition.
Man Faces Charges For Theft Assault On A Police Officer And More
Any criminal charge in Annapolis and across Maryland can result in severe consequences. Of course, some will be harsher than others. This depends on the circumstances. Often, one small incident like shoplifting items of limited value can escalate into serious charges if the person who is accused commits other acts like assault and resisting arrest. Even with the stigma attached, there could be extenuating circumstances and avenues to explore a plea agreement or getting an acquittal. A key is to have legal assistance from the start.
Man accused of shoplifting said to have assaulted law enforcement officer
Officers were called to investigate a man who was allegedly shoplifting shortly after 5 p.m. When they arrived, they confronted the man and tried to bring him into custody. He is said to have resisted arrest, assaulted the officer and tried to take her weapon. As other officers tried to help her, the man was eventually subdued and arrested. The officer was taken to the hospital where she was diagnosed as having minor injuries. The man was charged with theft of items worth less than $1,500, resisting arrest, and first-degree and second-degree assault.
Be Aware Of These Four Types Of Internet Crimes
The Internet has become so common place that many people in the Annapolis area search the Internet for information, send emails and post messages on social media platforms without thinking much about whether doing so is safe. However, there are a variety of Internet crimes that can be committed, leading to serious consequences for those accused of them. The following is a brief overview of four types of Internet crimes.
Data breaches
A data breach occurs when data is moved from a secure location to an untrusted location. Generally, this involves protected information being copied or stolen by a person who does not have the authority to access this information.
Malware/Scareware
Malware/Scareware is software that is developed do cause damage to computer systems or disable them. Oftentimes the perpetrators of such crimes use scare tactics to try to obtain funds from the victims of their alleged attack.
Phishing/Spoofing
Spoofing takes place when an email is forged to look like it was sent by a person other than the spoofer. Phishing takes place when an email is sent that falsely claims to come from a legitimate business with the intention of making the recipient of the email to provide the phisher with personal information after being directing to visit a specific website that is not genuine.
Defense Options For Indecent Exposure Charges
Maryland law prohibits a number of actions and behaviors as criminal and punishes violators with serious sanctions like jail time and fines. Indecent exposure, a type of sex crime in the state, is one such action that can change the course of a person’s life if they are convicted of such a charge. This post will explore what constitutes indecent exposure and how individuals can be punished if they are convicted of their alleged crimes. This post does not offer any specific legal advice.
What is indecent exposure?
The charge of indecent exposure is made up of 3 elements. First, the accused individual must have revealed a private part of their body, such as their buttocks or genitals. Second, the alleged exposure must have occurred in a public place and not at a private property. Finally, there must have been at least one other person present when the alleged exposure happened. When prosecutors can prove these elements in court, they may be able to secure convictions against indecent exposure defendants.
Two Men Arrested On Drugs And Weapons Charges In Wicomco County
Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division arrested two people on suspicion of committing firearms and drug-related crimes. Ordinarily, such news would not be especially surprising because such crimes are common. However, these two arrests are noteworthy because the suspects had already appeared in court on virtually the same charges and were free awaiting trial.
The allegations
According to a report from a preliminary investigation, the two suspects were in possession of firearms and were distributing heroin while they were on a pre-trial release from drug and firearms arrests in July 2020. On Oct. 23, troopers from the MSP Firearms Enforcement Unit, the MSP Gang Unit and other units of the MSP obtained a search warrant for the house where the two suspects were allegedly staying. The troopers found firearms, ammunition, and a quantity of heroin, which were seized at the scene.
The two suspects were also present in the house, and they surrendered to officers without incident. In addition to the drug and firearms charges from the July 2020 incident, one of the suspects had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear on a DUI charge. Both suspects were incarcerated in the Wicomico County Detention Center. One suspect was released on a $50,000 no security bond, while the other man was being held on a no bond status.
Off Duty Cop Found Passed Out, Arrested For Dui
Allegations of driving under the influence can be lodged against anyone throughout Maryland. That includes those who are tasked with enforcing the law. While drunk driving is undoubtedly serious, it is important to remember that simply being arrested for DUI does not automatically mean the person is guilty. Regardless of the circumstances, it is imperative for those who are arrested to have a solid defense not just to try and avoid the legal penalties, but the professional and personal consequences as well.
Off-duty officer faces DUI charges after passing out
A police officer who was found outside a convenience store lying next to his vehicle was arrested for driving while impaired by alcohol and driving under the influence. He had gotten sick and passed out. His off-duty handgun was also missing. Investigating officers searched the area for the gun, but were unsuccessful in locating it. The officer had a previous incident in which he had been arrested for DUI nearly three years ago. However, those charges were dropped because of an issue with the breath test. He has been suspended from his job, but will be paid while the investigation moves forward.
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