Jun 16, 2011

Be Aware - Texting while Driving is a crime in Maryland


List of New Laws in Maryland: DWI Consequences Influenced


As the month of October begins at full-speed, Maryland residents must become aware of new laws that have been introduced in the State. These new regulations are being enforced to help prevent crime and injury, especially when it comes to being behind the wheel. According to a times-news.com report, one of the new laws will affect those arrested for DWI. The new law states that within a span of five years, if a person hits their second DWI arrest, he or she will face an obligatory license suspension for one year.

According to the article, another new law that has taken affect in Maryland is an official ban against texting while driving. If you are convicted of texting while driving, you may face a steep fine of $400 in addition to having one point added to your driving record. Considering that the law will make exceptions for emergencies, cases involving texting and driving may present some complications given that one person’s definition of an emergency may differ from another’s.

In relation to the new DWI law, having your license suspended can impose many inconveniences in limiting your ability to secure timely and reliable transportation to and from work, school, and other important locations. To face the chance of enduring this penalty for an entire year can add to an experience that is already overwhelming when an individual is arrested for DWI.

If you have been arrested for DWI in Maryland, you don’t have to go through this challenging time alone. In many cases, those facing DWI charges find that they benefit from seeking the assistance of a skilled Maryland DWI defense lawyer with experience handling such cases. Aside from facing a one-year license suspension, other DWI consequences may involve multiple points on your driver’s license, hefty fines that may compromise your financial stability, and even a prison sentence.

Especially if you have prior DWI arrests or convictions, it may be in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney. One of the things a DWI defense attorney can do is conduct a thorough investigation of your arrest to determine if law enforcement followed proper procedure when stopping you and conducting sobriety tests. The charges against you may be reduced or even dropped if it is found that your rights were violated or if the officer failed to adhere to required procedure.

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