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Portner & Shure

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Testmonials

• Dear Mr.Ruby, Mr. Shure, Mrs. Horseman and Mrs. Linton: I would like to express my appreciation to your professional support and guidance during the 3 overwhelming years. I was involved in a car accident. Mr. Shure came to my home and provided assistance the day after the accident. Then, your paralegals, Sandy and Dawn assisted me on each steps and kept me updated. Mr. Ruby answered my questions and phone calls. He tried and settled my case successfully. Your team professional services is the key in the success of my case. I will recommend your firm to my friend Thanks again!
  
  -Lisa Zhang
• I got into a really bad car accident and had no clue what to do. Luckily I called Portner & Shure. Thanks to them I did not have to experience the stress of talking to the insurance company's, or the hassle of gathering additional information about my case. Portner & Shure did it all. They handled all of my medical bills, and even provided a convenient chiropractor that was amazing and made me feel like myself again. They also offered a settlement that I was very pleased with.The staff were friendly and respectful. My questions were answered promptly and in great detail. I felt like I was in good hands throughout the entire process Portner & Shure is top notch. They exceeded my expectations. I recommend this law firm to anyone who refuse to settle for less.. Thanks again Portner & Shure for making this tragic experience a stress-free process and providing a satisfying result.
  
  Jessica Tabron, Montgomery County, MD
• First of all I thank God to be alive and I thank you for helping me with my case.  God bless you all.  It was a great pleasure.  Thanks.
  
  Angel Regina Reyes de Hernandez
• Pam Brown was the paralegal that was handling my case. She was wonderful. She was always pleasant to speak with on the phone and she always kept me updated on my case. I think her professionalism is a testament to the entire team of Portner and Shure. Thank you guys for everything. Jun Jie Liu

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Maryland DUI Lawyer / Maryland DWI Lawyer
VIRGINIA DUI LAWYER / VIRGINIA DWI LAWYER

Driving Under the Influence / Driving While Intoxicated

If you drive while intoxicated (DWI) or drive under the influence (DUI) you run the risk of killing or seriously injuring yourself and someone else. In addition you run the risk of losing your license, going to jail, losing a security clearance, a job and damaging your reputation.   The most serious charge carries a maximum penalty of three (3) years incarceration or a $3,000 fine.  Additionally, if charged with a Maryland DUI or DWI, you can lose your privilege to drive for up to one (1) year or more.  Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia all not long ago lowered the legal limit for driving while intoxicated.

Links

• Eight things you need to know if you have been arrested for a DUI / DWI

DUI, / DWI, LAWS IN MARYLAND

The difference between driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol is a difference in blood alcohol percentage.

DUI (driving under influence) is the more serious offense and requires a breath alcohol content (BAC) (link below) of 0.08 or higher. If a field sobriety test was not performed, the State of Maryland must prove that the alcohol substantially impaired the driver’s normal coordination. Maximum penalties areas follows:

1. First offense: 1 year and/or $1,000 fine

2. Second offense: 2 years and/or $2,000 fine

3. Third offense: 3 years and/or $3,000 fine

In addition, MVA may assess 12 points and revoke the operator’s drivers license.

DWI (driving while impaired) requires a breathalyzer test result between 0.07 and 0.08. If a field sobriety test was not performed, the State of Maryland must prove that the alcohol impaired the drivers normal coordination to some extent. Maximum penalties are as follows:

1. First offense: 60 days and/or $500 fine

2. Subsequent offenses: 1 year and/or $500 fine

The remainder is only an estimate of the % of alcohol in your blood

Many defenses to DWI or DUI, such as, an unauthorized stop by the police are losers. Usually a good criminal lawyer, however, does know which defenses may lead to an acquittal.  If you are driving in an unusual fashion, i.e. swerving the police have the right to stop your vehicle. Arguing later, in Court, that you were not swerving, is not even possible. Further, the police have the right to stop your vehicle at a sobriety check point. Upon being stopped, if the officer suspects that you were intoxicated, (in other words if you demonstrate any of the signs such as slurred speech, blood shot eyes or alcohol smell) you can be asked to perform certain field tests. Field tests include a test involving your eyes, speech (the alphabet), and physical ability (walking a straight line). You may also then be asked to take a chemical sobriety test. Our advice is to take the test and cooperate.

In the event you are charged with, driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI), you will be given certain documents. One paper is a temporary license and motor vehicle hearing request form. This form; a long with the appropriate hearing fee should be mailed to the MVA immediately so you obtain a license hearing. If it is your first offense and you took the Breathalyzer test and you did not blow too high, the hearing should enable you to obtain a restricted license instead of a suspension.

In addition to a Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) hearing you will have a hearing in the District Court in the county where the Maryland offense occurred. At trial the outcome will depend on actions that you have taken since the DWI or DUI. Prior DWI or DUI convictions are taken very seriously and may result in some jail time. On the other hand, if you have not been arrested before and have enrolled in an out-patient Court approved alcohol rehabilitation program, the Court will look more favorably upon you. In Maryland, if you follow certain Court imposed restrictions you may obtain a probation before judgment. Probation before judgment means that if you are not arrested again during the probationary period and follow the Court's restrictions and/or requests you will have no criminal record for this offense. A probation before judgment means there is no conviction, therefore MVA can impose no points and your insurance rates will not go up.

If you are convicted of a DUI or DWI the Motor Vehicle Administration may take action against your license seeking to suspend, revoke or otherwise restrict driving privileges.  In certain cases one offense may lead to suspension or revokation.  Prior to having your driving privileges suspended or revoked you are entitled to a hearnig.

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