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  • the concept for drink driving
    Hire Waldorf, MD Criminal Defense Attorneys to Avoid the Consequences of a DUI Conviction

    There are some serious personal consequences to being convicted of DUI (or DWI). These are related to both immediate criminal justice consequences and longer-term life consequences. This is why it is important to retain dedicated, top-rated, and successful Maryland criminal defense lawyers like the ones at the Law Office of Robert Castro. Our phone number […]

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  • 9mm pistol gun and cup whiskey cognac or brandy
    Will a DUI Conviction Prevent Me From Having a Firearm in Waldorf, Maryland?

    It depends on whether your DUI conviction is deemed a misdemeanor or felony. A first-offense DUI conviction is a misdemeanor in Maryland and, thus, should not impair your ability to own a firearm. This assumes the DUI was a “standard” DUI without any aggravating factors (like causing an accident while driving drunk that resulted in […]

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  • handsome young confident man drinking beer while resting on the yacht
    Drunk Boating in Southern Maryland: What You Should Know

    Just like driving drunk, boating while under the influence or while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs is a crime in Maryland. The definition of the crime and the penalties/punishments are similar to those involving road vehicles. However, boating DUI and DWI are contained in the Natural Resources Code rather than the Transportation Code. See MD […]

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  • cops getting out of the car start chasing criminal on foot through the dark city streets
    Criminal Defense in Waldorf, MD: What Happens if I Run From the Police While DUI?

    To begin, we recommend that you do NOT flee or attempt to evade the police if you are being pulled over for a traffic stop. Pulling over is wise even if you have been drinking or are otherwise impaired. Trying to flee only makes matters worse (and matters can become much worse). Here are some […]

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  • do not drink and drive
    Is DUI a Serious Crime in Waldorf, Maryland?

    Yes, but DUI in Maryland is not as serious a crime as in other states. DUI is still a misdemeanor crime in Maryland with a one-year potential jail term and a $1,000 fine for a first-time offender. If you have been arrested for DUI in Waldorf, Maryland, in Charles County, or in any other part […]

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  • a young man lit a cigarette driving the car and drinking beer selective focus
    Will I “Do Time” if Convicted of DUI in Charles County, Maryland?

    Many first-time DUI offenders in Maryland do not “do time.” Rather, many receive probation rather than being incarcerated. But, at the same time, violating the conditions of probation can and often does result in “doing time” because violating your probation will mean you will be incarcerated. Probation is often negotiated by your experienced attorney and […]

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  • a young woman is driving a car to prepare for the driver's license examination
    Charles County, MD DUI Conviction: How Will I Get to Work if My Driver’s License is Suspended?

    In some DUI cases, it is possible to obtain a “hardship license” if your regular driver’s license has been suspended because of a DUI conviction. Avoiding the suspension of your driver’s license is one reason that you should hire experienced Charles County, Maryland, criminal defense attorneys to defend your DUI charges. At a minimum, your […]

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  • commercial DUI accidents
    Commercial Driver DUI: The Long-Term Effects

    There’s nothing quite as daunting as dealing with the aftermath of a DUI accident, particularly one involving a commercial driver. DUI in a commercial vehicle often results in severe, life-altering injuries. These range from fractures and burns to spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. The impact of such injuries goes beyond immediate physical harm; […]

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  • drunk driver sitting in car with alcohol bottle and looking throw the window
    Out-of-State DUI: We Can Help Defend Your Rights

    The complexities of an out-of-state DUI in Maryland can make the situation nerve-wracking. The cross-jurisdictional implications can complicate your defense, and the potential penalties could include fines, imprisonment, or suspension of your driver’s license in both Maryland and your home state. Despite these challenges, hope is far from lost. This article will provide you with […]

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  • drugs, car keys, and sunglasses are strewn about in a pile
    Southern Maryland DUI/DWI and Prescription Medications

    In Maryland, it is a crime to drive while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and also a crime to drive while impaired (DWI) by the use of alcohol or use of drugs. In some cases, the laws of Maryland assume that you have been driving while drunk when, for example, your blood alcohol content […]

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  • drunk young man drives a car with a bottle of beer
    What if I Kill Someone While DUI/DWI in Charles County, Maryland?

    Driving under the influence (“DUI”) of alcohol or driving while impaired (“DWI”) by alcohol or drugs is a crime in Maryland. If you are DUI or DWI and there is an accident and someone is killed, that is also a crime under the laws of Maryland. If this happens, you will be charged with several […]

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  • a depressed woman drunk driving
    Waldorf, Maryland Criminal Defense: Crimes Involving Drunk Driving And Minors

    In Waldorf, Maryland, it is a crime to drive while under the influence of alcohol (“DUI”). The legal age for drinking in Maryland is 21 years old. As such, there are separate criminal statutory sections if you are caught drunk driving in Charles County, Maryland, when you are under 21. The punishments are less severe […]

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  • person driving under the influence of smoking marijuana
    Maryland Marijuana DUI/DWI Criminal Defense: “Weed Smell Test” Outlawed

    In Maryland, it is a crime to drive while under the influence of alcohol or any sort of drug like marijuana. Up until now, Maryland police officers have been allowed to use what is commonly called the “weed smell test” as a lawful reason to make a traffic stop. However, as reported here, a new […]

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  • policeman checking documents of suspicious man in car, fake driver license
    Waldorf, MD DUI/DWI With a Commercial Driver’s License

    If you have a commercial driver’s license (“CDL”) in Waldorf, Maryland, being arrested for a DUI/DWI will have serious consequences for your ability to drive. Indeed, your job will be at risk. This is true even if you were not driving a commercial vehicle at the time you were arrested. That is, even if you […]

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  • handcuffs and keys symbolizing drunk driving arrest
    What is a Waldorf, MD Substance Abuse Program, and Can it Help Me Avoid Jail Time for a Maryland DUI/DWI?

    If you have been arrested in Waldorf, MD, Charles County, St. Mary’s County, or any other part of Southern Maryland for DUI/DWI, you need an experienced and talented DUI/DWI criminal defense team to help. Maryland’s best criminal defense attorneys — like the ones at the Law Office of Robert Castro — can work the laws […]

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  • DUI Cases
    What is Hearsay in a Maryland DUI Criminal Case?

    Hearsay is a complicated legal concept about certain types of evidence that can be found in witness testimony and in documents. Generally, hearsay is a type of evidence that CANNOT be used in a Maryland criminal case. Tenacious and skilled Maryland criminal defense lawyers will fully understand what hearsay evidence is and object to it […]

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  • riding under the influence of alcohol at night
    Can I Get Arrested for a Motorcycle DUI in Waldorf, MD?

    Yes. Driving under the influence (“DUI”) (or driving while intoxicated (“DWI”)) applies to any sort of vehicle in Maryland, including motorcycles, tractors, all-terrain vehicles, boats, and even bicycles. If you have been searching for a DUI/DWI lawyer in St. Mary’s County or in Charles County, MD, call us here at the Law Office of Robert […]

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  • Driving Drunk
    Maryland Drunk Driving Criminal Defense: Can I Be Charged With Both DUI and DWI?

    Yes. If you are arrested in Waldorf, Maryland, or any other part of Charles County for drunk driving, you can be charged by government prosecutors with driving under the influence (“DUI”) AND with driving while intoxicated (“DWI”). Indeed, this is common. The main difference between the two charges is the person’s blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”). […]

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  • underage drinking
    Underage Drinking Crimes and Underage DUI in Charles County, Maryland

    In Waldorf, MD, and other parts of Southern Maryland, a person is legally considered an adult when they turn 21. Maryland criminalizes “underage drinking” (and drug use). In particular, in Maryland, it is a crime for those under the age of 21 cannot purchase, drink, and/or possess alcohol. Further, like anyone of any age, Maryland […]

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  • DUI, Driving while intoxicated
    Waldorf, MD DWI/DUI Criminal Defense: Is DWI/DUI a Felony or a Misdemeanor in Maryland?

    Most DWI/DUI cases are charged by Maryland prosecutors as misdemeanors. However, Maryland criminal statutes identify a significant number of circumstances where a DWI/DUI must be charged as a felony. These include circumstances where: The current arrest is the third DUI in 10 years An accident was caused an accident, and there were significant injuries or […]

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  • policeman showing on the road sign while writing out fine for violation of traffic rules for a female driver on the city road
    Maryland Traffic Violations Attorneys

    Each year, around 20 people tragically lose their lives due to Charles County traffic accidents, many of which result from serious traffic violations. If you’ve been involved in an accident where a traffic violation occurred, you could look at severe criminal charges, including large fines and extended prison time. Nobody wants to be involved in […]

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  • driving under the Influence concept
    Waldorf, Maryland DUI/DWI Criminal Defense: Facts About Ignition Interlock Devices

    If you have been arrested and convicted of DUI/DWI charges in Charles County, Maryland, one possible punishment that can be imposed (or that must be imposed) by the Maryland criminal court judge is the requirement that you install an ignition interlock device (“IID”) on your car/vehicle. Generally, if your blood alcohol level was higher than […]

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  • driver due to being subject to test for alcohol content with use of breathalyzer
    Can I Refuse to Take a Breathalyzer Test if Pulled Over for a DUI?

    If you ever find yourself in a precarious situation, requested to pull over by police on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), you may wonder: can you refuse a breathalyzer test? By law, it does not require taking a breathalyzer test in Maryland; however, refusing to do so can come with severe consequences. Only […]

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  • drunk young man driving a car with a bottle of beer
    Can I Beat a DUI/DWI Charge in St. Charles County, MD?

    Depending on the facts of your case, yes, it is possible to beat a DUI/DWI charge in St. Charles County Maryland. You will need the help of an experienced DUI/DWI criminal defense team like the ones at the Law Office of Robert Castro. If you have been arrested and charged with DUI/DWI in Waldorf, MD, […]

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  • drunk and driving a car
    Do the Police Need to “Catch You in the Act” of Drunk Driving?

    For many Maryland residents, a drunk driving charge is their first–and hopefully only–experience in dealing with the criminal justice system. A first-offense DUI in Maryland carries a maximum possible sentence of one year in jail and/or a $10,000 fine. Even if the court decides not to order any jail time, however, the DUI conviction will […]

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  • DUI
    Can I Get My Commercial Driver’s License Reinstated After a DUI?

    You are a commercial driver, which means you are highly regarded in more than a regular driver. If you face a serious traffic offense charge such as a DUI (Driving under the influence), your commercial driver’s license can be suspended or revoked. Having your CDL revoked can considerably limit your business. So how can you […]

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  • traffic ticket
    How Do I Fight My Traffic Ticket in Court?

    For many Maryland residents, their most common interaction with the legal system comes in the form of a traffic ticket. Most people simply pay the fine and do not give the ticket a second thought. But what if you want to fight the ticket? What are your options? Can you actually demand a trial over […]

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  • DUI in Maryland
    What is Considered White Collar Crime?

    The term ‘white collar crime’ is typically used to describe crimes that are nonviolent and are committed by professionals, primarily for financial gain. These types of crimes are often investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In Maryland, there are […]

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  • DUI in Maryland
    What to Know About Getting a DUI/DWI in Maryland

    If you or an immediate family member have been arrested for a DUI or DWI, it is important to speak with a Maryland criminal-defense attorney right away. A DUI stands for driving under the influence, while and a DWI stands for driving while intoxicated. The intoxication can be from drugs, alcohol, or some other type […]

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  • Criminal Defendant
    Noah’s Law and Driving Under the Influence in Maryland

    Like other US states, Maryland has its own drunk driving laws. It also has a special law called Noah’s Law, which helped make ignition interlock devices mandatory for all drivers who were recently convicted of a DUI or DWI. History of Noah’s Law Noah’s Law became effective in 2016 and is named after a 24-year-old […]

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  • DUI in Maryland
    Understanding Maryland’s Impaired Driving Laws

    Drinking and driving in the state of Maryland is illegal, as it is elsewhere in the United States. If you are arrested for an offense related to impaired driving in the state, you can face immediate administrative sanctions, as well as criminal penalties and driver’s license sanctions if convicted. Legal Limit on Blood Alcohol Concentration […]

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