Drinking and Walking Is Not a Crime, But Can Still Lead to Trouble in Maryland

March 5, 2012 by Jonathan Smith

DWI and DUI Defense in Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County, MD

While Driving While Impaired (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) are crimes in Baltimore, and throughout Maryland, drinking and walking is not. However, recent events demonstrate that you must always be careful if you go out drinking, and it is best to have a designated driver or cab fare.

In December of 2011, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Route 924. The pedestrian was only 23 years old and his death marked the 23rd highway fatality in Harford County in 2011. The pedestrian who was killed was suspected of being drunk and walking in the driving lane of the highway.

One common mistake many pedestrians make is they think because they can see cars and other motor vehicles clearly, that the oncoming vehicles can see them just as clearly. For those who drive, we know that is not the case. If you are walking or bicycling along a road or highway, you should wear bright clothing, reflective clothing if possible, so drivers can see you more easily.

If you go out drinking, be careful and appoint a designated driver, or at least think ahead and make taxi arrangements. If you do drive, remember, DUI and DWI charges are serious in Maryland.

If you are charged with drunk driving, it is important to retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after being charged with a DUI or DWI, or other alcohol or drug related charge, in Maryland.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith is a top rated former criminal prosecutor, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. He has handled thousands of drunk driving cases. You can see what many satisfied clients have to say about the job he did for them. In addition, you can check the results in real cases he has handled.

Contact Our Office

To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at 410-740-0101. Put the skill and experience of a former prosecutor to work for you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith represents clients in criminal defense matters, DUI / DWI, MVA Hearings, and traffic offenses charges throughout Maryland, including the cities of Columbia, Clarksville, Sykesville, Fulton, Elkridge, Frederick, Mt. Airy, Ellicott City, Laurel, Westminster, and Baltimore. Lawyer Smith also provides experienced legal representation for clients in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Prince Georges (Prince George) County, Howard County and Montgomery County, MD.

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, criminal defense lawyer, criminal lawyer, defense attorney, District Court for Howard County, Drunk Driving, DUI, DWI Tagged With: administrative license revocation, alcohol, alcoholic beverage, alcoholism, attorney, breath tests, breathalyzer, drives, driving, driving under the influence, Drunk Driving, drunk driving defense lawyer, drunk driving law, drunk driving laws, drunk driving lawyer, dui defense lawyer, howard county, impaired driving, jonathan scott smith, law, maryland, maryland drunk driving, maryland laws, md, road transport, sobriety checkpoint, traffic collision

Choosing a DUI Lawyer

May 13, 2011 by Jonathan Smith

dui-arrest
A drunk driving arrest creates substantial risks involving loss of your driver’s license, and perhaps even your freedom. It is critical to select and hire an experienced Maryland drunk driving lawyer to advise you and to represent you aggressively.

Choosing a DUI Lawyer – Howard County, Columbia, Ellicott City, Maryland

Many people who are charged with drunk driving receive a pile of solicitation letters in the mail from attorneys they have never met. There are companies that review court filings on a daily basis and then sell lists of names to attorneys. These attorneys then mail form letters soliciting their services. These solicitation letters often include absurdly low legal fees, and mislead the public regarding the true cost of experienced and qualified lawyers.

Top Rated Attorney

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in DUI/DWI and drunk driving charges, and other criminal cases— has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. Attorney Smith is considered to be one of the best criminal lawyers in Howard County.

Points of Distinction

Over 30 Years of Courtroom Experience
Former Prosecutor
Author of Criminal Law Books for Lawyers
Lectured and Trained Prosecutors
Highest Rating for Legal Ability and Professional Ethics

Former Criminal Prosecutor

Jonathan Scott Smith was employed as a prosecutor (Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore County) from 1980 to 1984. He prepared and prosecuted thousands of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. This included an extensive number of jury and non-jury trials in Maryland district courts and circuit courts.

As a prosecutor in the circuit court, Mr. Smith prepared and tried a wide range of criminal cases. He was responsible for handling all aspects of criminal cases. Mr. Smith personally handled an extensive number of criminal jury trials. The charges included murder (including death penalty), rapes and other sexual offenses, armed robberies, burglaries, kidnappings, extortion, embezzlement, thefts, assaults, and drug offenses. He tried numerous non-jury trials as well. Mr. Smith prosecuted cases involving mandatory sentences and death penalty proceedings, and handled felony charge screenings; grand jury proceedings; and preliminary hearings.

As a prosecutor in the district court, Mr. Smith handled all aspects of thousands of cases until their conclusion, including an extensive number of non-jury trials. The cases included drunk driving and other serious traffic cases, thefts, assaults, drug possession, handgun charges, violation of probation hearings, and bail hearings.

DUI Penalties in Maryland

May 13, 2011 by Jonathan Smith

A driver who refused to submit to a breath test or a blood test also is subject to an additional penalty. If the court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver knowingly refused to take a test arising out of the same circumstances as the violation, the driver is subject to a fine of $500.00, or imprisonment for not more than 2 months, or both.

The penalties, based upon a first offense, for violating Maryland’s drunk driving laws are as follows:

Driving under the influence of alcohol: $1,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Driving under the influence of alcohol per se: $1,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Driving under the influence of alcohol while transporting a minor: $2,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
Driving under the influence of alcohol per se while transporting a minor: $2,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
Driving or attempting to drive while impaired by alcohol: $500.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than two months, or both.
Driving while impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the driver cannot drive a vehicle safely: $500.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than two months, or both.
Driving or attempting to drive while impaired by alcohol while transporting a minor: $1,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Driving while impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that the driver cannot drive a vehicle safely while transporting a minor: $1,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Driving or attempting to drive while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance: $1,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Driving or attempting to drive while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance while transporting a minor: $2,000.00 fine, imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.

Read More about DUI Penalties in Maryland

Filed Under: Criminal Defense, DUI, DWI Tagged With: columbia, dui penalties, dwi penalties, ellicott city, howard county, maryland, md

Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm