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Step-by-step from the DUI checkpoint in Baltimore, Maryland, to court

Written by
ruxandra
June 17th, 2016

One of the most common tactics police agencies use to apprehend people who are driving under the influence is with the use of the DUI checkpoints in Baltimore, Maryland. These sobriety checkpoints are constantly conducted, especially during weekends and holidays such as Memorial Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Labor Day. In this article you will learn everything there is to know about DUI checkpoints. If you were caught while intoxicated, you should contact your personal injury lawyer from Baltimore, Maryland, to aid you in your case.DUI checkpointsYour Baltimore injury lawyer will tell you that these police checkups need to follow some rules for them to be considered legal. There are a lot of cases when the police agencies did not follow all the steps and the people who were caught in them, were declared innocent. These rules are:

  1. The DUI checkpoint must be selected by a high ranking officer, and not by the same officers who are manning the checkpoint.
  2. The DUI checkpoint should be notified before (for example in a newspaper of general circulation).
  3. The DUI checkpoint needs to be placed in a location where the driver can have an opportunity to turn around.
  4. The DUI checkpoint needs to be signalized on the roadway with special signs ahead its position
  5. The police officers are not allowed to stop a vehicle just because they turned the direction (and respected the law). If you think you are innocent, contact your Baltimore injury attorney.
  6. The police officers have to wear their uniform and have at least one police vehicle to inform the public of their presence.

There are more rules the police agencies have to follow for a valid DUI checkpoint, and your personal injury attorney from Baltimore, Maryland knows them. Unfortunately, in many cases, the police try to bend the rules, and if this had happened when you were stopped, the judge can dismiss your case. To gather all the evidence needed to prove your innocence, contact your Baltimore injury lawyer and ask them what to do. A Even if your BAC levels were higher than .08 and got arrested, your personal injury attorney from Baltimore, Maryland, may get you out.A DUI jury trialIf your Baltimore injury attorney decided that you were stopped by a valid checkpoint, then your case will go to trial. In this instance you have a series of rights, including:

  • The right to have a speedy trial
  • The right to receive a trial by jury
  • The right to have an effective assistance of counsel
  • The right to remain silent

Before the start of the trial, your lawyer is allowed to file a series of motions, to suppress evidence such as the results of the DUI blood test. All motions files are either granted or denied. After this, the trial will start, and if you pled guilty or if you are found guilty of driving under the influence, the sentencing phase will begin (where the judge determines your punishment).For more information about DUI checkpoints, contact the best personal injury lawyer from Baltimore, Maryland, at (443) 569-3950 or send us an email: chris@annapolisaccidentattorney.com.

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