If you are charged with drunk driving, there are a myriad of decisions you will need to make. One of these decisions is whether you should plead guilty and pay your price to society or fight the charges.
The decision to plead guilty or fight the DUI charges largely depends on the strength of your case. If the arresting officer pulled you over without probable cause, for instance, or if they broke some protocols while collecting evidence, then you may have strong grounds for fighting the charges. However, if the police played by the book from start to finish then you might have very limited room for fighting your charges. In this case, pleading guilty or entering no contest in exchange for a better bargain may make perfect sense.
So what defense options do you have if you are charged with drunk driving in Maryland?
If this is your first offense, and no one was hurt, then you might have a number of defense options at your disposal. Subject to the circumstances that lead to your DUI stop and arrest, here are some of the defense options you can raise in court:
- The police pulled you over on frivolous grounds.
- The police did not subject you to a standard sobriety test
- The police failed to follow the right procedure when administering the sobriety and breathalyzer tests
- The breathalyzer equipment was faulty (was not licensed or properly calibrated)
- The police coerced, tricked or coerced you into giving a statement
Drunk driving is a serious offense with far-reaching legal and personal consequences. Knowing your legal rights can help you defend yourself and protect your rights when charged with DUI in Maryland.