Answer: There’s a number of consequences for getting a flat out conviction on your record. One of which, which is fairly unique, is going to Canada. When they find you have a conviction for DUI on your record, the Canadian border people will not let you in their country. You have to get special permission ahead of time to do that. But if you try to drive up or otherwise enter Canada with a conviction, they will check the records here in the States and in many, if not most, of the cases they will actually turn you around. So, if you have a conviction and you need to go to Canada, you need to get permission ahead of time.

The more obvious things, however—well, obviously there’s points associated with that and if you get those 12 points, you’re going to lose your drivers license and your insurance is going to go through the roof for the next three to five years or longer as a result of a conviction. In addition to that, it can threaten security clearances that you may have or want if you are a government employee or desire to become a government employee. One needs to be cognizant of security clearances. Here at Robinson & Associates, we defend a great deal of government employees, starting from the White House in Washington, D.C. through many, if not most of the three-letter agencies, such as the DOD, the CIA, the NSA. We actually have letters of recommendation on the wall from all of these agencies that I’ve enumerated here.

So, it’s important to know how the DUI is going to interact with one’s security clearances. Even if you’re not in one of these agencies, other things like NASA, other agencies like that for which we have a number of clients, can also have an impact. So, one needs to think about the long-range ramifications of professional licenses. Or if you’re a doctor or a nurse or a lawyer or a judge or things like that—for which we’ve represented all these people as well—there can also be potential ramifications. So, a DUI obviously, it goes without saying, is not something that you can or should take lightly. It’s important that you seek experienced counsel to handle these matters, which are far more complicated than normal practitioners are aware of.

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DUI/DWI Defenses and Court

› What are some common tactics that you use to get a DUI case reduced or dismissed in Maryland?

› Do you review the police report in preparing for a Maryland DUI case? Can you attack the police report as part of the defense?

› Why would an innocent person plead guilty to a DUI/DWI charge in Maryland?

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› DUI Charge & Pleading No Contest

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Penalties

› Can you explain the penalties for a first offense DUI in Maryland?

› What are some of the repercussions later in life from a DUI conviction in Maryland?

› Will a DUI/DWI conviction in Maryland affect my credit score?

› If my license is suspended due to a DUI arrest, can I get any type of restricted or limited driving permit in Maryland?

› Are there any places that I cannot drive to with a restricted driver’s license in Maryland?

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Roadside Test & Police

› What happens if you refuse the roadside breath test in Maryland?

› What should I say if a Maryland police officer asks if I have been drinking?

› Are Maryland police reports ever inaccurate?

› How will body cameras worn by police officers impact the way that Maryland DUI/DWI investigations are conducted?

› What is the difference between a hospital blood draw and a police blood draw in Maryland?

› How do police conduct drunk driving investigations in Maryland? What are they looking for?

› Can there be other causes for the physical signs of intoxication?

› What role does the police report play in a Maryland DUI/DWI case?

› Should I record a traffic stop with my smartphone? Can the video be used as evidence?

› Do police have to be within their jurisdiction to pull me over for DUI in Maryland?

› DUI Roadblocks or Checkpoints

› Odor of Alcohol & DUI Reports

Laws

› What does probable cause mean in Maryland?

› Can you explain what “per se” means in Maryland?

› What does implied consent mean in Maryland?

› Are there any recent or upcoming changes to the DUI/DWI laws that people should be aware of in Maryland?

› Can a Maryland DUI/DWI charge affect my right to vote, carry a weapon, or other rights?

› Noah’s Law Impact on DUI Cases

Field Sobriety Tests & Defenses

› Is refusing to take a breath test considered a criminal act in Maryland?

› Are there ways to contest the blood test in Maryland?

› What are the repercussions for refusing the official state breath test in Maryland?

› What is the impact of a BAC number whether it is above or below a .08 in Maryland?

› Can a fever affect a Maryland DUI blood or breath test?

› Can the way a person blows into the Maryland breath test machine impact the results?

› Is it better for my case if I to fail the breath test or if I refuse a Maryland DUI breath test?

› Can you explain the Maryland HGN test?

› What are some defenses you have used for a client who failed the horizontal gaze nystagmus test in Maryland?

› Can you explain the Maryland one leg stand test?

› What are some defenses you have used against the one-leg stand field sobriety test in Maryland?

› Can you explain the Maryland walk and turn test?

› What are some defenses for someone who failed walk-and-turn test in Maryland?

› What are some defenses you have used for a client who failed the roadside breath test in Maryland?

› Can I request an independent breath or blood test in Maryland?

› What are some medical conditions that could affect the breath alcohol test in Maryland?

› Can you explain the Maryland breath test observation period?

› Can you discuss the issues surrounding the Supreme Court case of Birchfield v. North Dakota and its implications for Maryland DUI cases?

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› Non-Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

› Refuse Field Sobriety Tests

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FAQ

› What is the first thing a person should do after a DUI/DWI arrest in Maryland?

› What can you do to be proactive about your pending DUI case in Maryland?

› Do I need to hire an attorney from the area in which I got the DUI?

› What are the potential penalties for boating under the influence (OUI) in Maryland? Could a conviction impact my regular drivers license?

› Can you explain a rising blood alcohol level in Maryland?

› What is mouth alcohol in Maryland?

› What happens if I plead guilty to DUI/DWI in court in Maryland?

› Can being nervous impair a person’s driving ability?

› Can I be charged with DUI if I am on private property in Maryland?

› What are the laws in Maryland regarding boating under the influence?

› Difference Between DUI and DWI

› DUI Reported Licensing Board or Commission

› DUI Charge Impacts Professional Licenses

› Represent Medical Doctor at Disciplinary Hearing

› DUI Charge but Live in another State

› Out of State DUI

› Anonymous DUI Call

Non-Driving DUI

› Do I have to be driving a vehicle to be charged with DUI in Maryland?

› What are the factors considered in a non-driving DUI case in Maryland?

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Drug Related Offenses

› Can you explain drugged driving in Maryland?

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About the Firm

› What sets Bruce Robinson & Associates apart from other DUI/DWI attorneys and firms in Maryland?

› What made you interested in practicing law and DUI defense specifically?

› Can you discuss several of your most recent Maryland DUI/DWI case wins?

› What sets Bruce Robinson apart from other DUI attorneys in Maryland?