The crackdown on drunk driving that took place in Harford County Maryland during Labor Day weekend resulted in four arrests. According to a news report in The Baltimore Sun, a DUI checkpoint was set up on Route 152 near Stockton Road in Joppa overnight between August 31 and September 1. Harford County officers arrested a 24-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI).
An 18-year-old man from Pennsylvania was charged with possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the checkpoint as well. At the same time as the checkpoint was being conducted, deputies were patrolling the surrounding area for drunk drivers. They arrested a 55-year-old driver from Fallston on suspicion of DUI.
The sobriety checkpoint was part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. During the checkpoint, 387 vehicles passed through and nine were pulled out. It is not clear what signs, if any, inspired officers to further question the nine drivers, or if the officers simply followed their predetermined plan of stopping vehicles.
There are a number of rules and regulations that must be followed by officers during a sobriety checkpoint. Many drivers make the mistake of accepting drunk driving charges, agreeing to a plea deal and failing to consider fighting the charges. If officers failed to follow strict procedural guidelines before, during, or after the arrest, it may be possible to have the charges dropped.
When a skilled attorney is not able to have evidence thrown out or charges dismissed, it may still be possible to negotiate for reduced penalties. First time DUI offenders can face a six-month license suspension, a fine of up to $1,000, and a jail sentence of up to one year in length. A skilled DUI defense attorney, however, will fight to help motorists avoid jail time and avoid unnecessarily harsh punishments.
If you have been arrested during a DUI crackdown, make sure you consider all of your options before making any legal decisions. The DUI criminal defense team at the law offices of Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys provides free case evaluations at (301) 262-7005 to anyone facing charges in Maryland.
Contact the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys in Maryland for Help Today
For more information, contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys to schedule a confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Annapolis, and Lexington Park, Maryland.
We proudly serve Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Charles County and the surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys – Lanham Office
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste 201 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 262-7005
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Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys – Frederick Office
25 E Patrick St #200 Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 381-1993
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Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys – Rockville Office
11140 Rockville Pike 550-J Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 364-3195
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