People across the United States are gearing up for one of the biggest sporting events of the year – Super Bowl Sunday. Even if your team isn’t in the big game, you may be planning to host or attend a watch party, which will often involve eating a lot of food and having a few beers. While millions of Americans enjoy watching the Super Bowl, too many people have the evening end on a frightening note if they are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
Law enforcement agencies across Maryland know that drunk driving can substantially increase on certain weekends involving holidays or major events like the Super Bowl. You can be sure to see an increase in police officers patrolling the streets, especially near sports bars and other popular entertainment areas. Officers may even set up roadblocks to conduct sobriety checkpoints, which will allow them to briefly stop every driver or drivers
at random to detect signs of possible intoxication. No matter where you are driving, the chances of getting pulled over increase dramatically on days like Super Bowl Sunday.
DUI Traffic Stops
Police cannot simply pull you over whenever they want. Instead, they must have
reasonable suspicion that you violated some type of law. This can include erratic driving, but can also include something as small as having a headlight out. Once you are pulled over, the officer can approach your vehicle and will certainly be on the lookout for signs that you’ve been drinking.
If an officer believes you may be drunk, they can request that you submit to a breath test to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC). If your BAC is over 0.08 percent, the police automatically have probable cause to arrest you for impaired driving. While you can refuse a breath test, always know that there are serious consequences for doing so, including the immediate suspension of your driver’s license.
Even if your BAC is less than 0.08, the police can still find other ways to support probable cause for your arrest. This can include observing obvious signs of intoxication or failing field sobriety tests. Many people get arrested and face DUI charges whether their BAC was above the legal limit or not.
What to Do After an Arrest
If you’re arrested on suspicion of DUI in Maryland, it is likely that the prosecutor will issue criminal charges against you. You should never wait to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who handles DUI cases, as you only have a very short time to challenge an administrative license suspension by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) by requesting an administrative hearing. While the consequences of a DUI conviction can be serious, know there are many ways the right attorney can defend against your charges and try to get your case dismissed.
Contact a Maryland DUI Defense Lawyer as Soon as Possible
On Super Bowl Sunday, we hope everyone makes the safe decision and gets home without traffic stops or arrests. If you do get arrested for any reason, contact a defense lawyer at Falodun & Associates for help. Call 301-289-7737 or contact us online to discuss your case right away.