Drinking on the Beach in Ocean City Maryland?

As we all begin to head to the beach, we should take note of the laws surrounding drinking on the beach.

Open containers of alcohol in public in Ocean City Maryland are illegal.  Ocean City Ordinances prohibit drinking alcoholic beverages on any "street, avenue, alleyway, sidewalk, beach, parking lot and vehicle in any of those areas."  The exception is within the few hotels that offer bars/restaurants on the beach.

Side Note: Grilling is also illegal. As is, sleeping on the beach after 10 p.m!

If you are caught with an open container of alcohol this offense can lead to an arrest.  Ocean City Police believe that being strict on this policy will "change the mentality" of beachgoers.  This local ordinance gives police officers the ability to arrest people caught drinking outside In the state of Maryland, public drinking is considered a misdemeanor. This type of offense incurs a fine of up to $100, up to 90 days in jail, and sometimes both.

Many believe this  tourism, ambiance, and the overall atmosphere of this beautiful beach. On the contrary, others believe this is a necessary step for law enforcement, after increases in alcohol violations throughout Ocean City.

If you are arrested in Ocean City Maryland- Contact Portner & Shure, P.A. (410)-995-1515

Noah’s Law Signed into Law by Governor Hogan, Will Take Effect October 1st

           Noah’s Law is new DUI legislation that was aptly named for Officer Noah Leotta, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver while initiating a traffic stop.  It was later revealed that the man who struck and killed Officer Leotta had several prior dui arrests, yet was still able to drive.  Governor Hogan, last Thursday, officially signed this bill into law.

Maryland’s DUI laws are known to be quite lenient, especially for first time offenders.  Many states have moved in the direction of requiring ignition interlock devices for all DUI offenders.  There is no such requirement in Maryland.  Currently, if a driver refuses the chemical breath test or takes the test and the BAC is 0.15 or more, the only option the driver has if he or she wants to continue driving is to participate in the ignition interlock program for a one year period.

Noah’s Law will become law starting October 1, 2016, and any person arrested for DUI on or after that date will be subject to stricter penalties, including participation in the ignition interlock program.  First time offenders and subsequent offenders will all be required to install an interlock device in their car in order to continue driving.  “I was proud to strongly support Noah’s Law, and I want to thank everyone involved who helped get it passed,” said Governor Hogan.  Lawmakers are hoping that with this new law that drivers in the future will think twice about driving drunk so as to avoid facing much more severe penalties.

If you or a family member has been charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on DUI or DWI please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 and schedule an appointment at our office in Laurel or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/  

Portner & Shure Named 2016 American Institute’s Top 10 DUI Law Firm in Maryland

We are honored to have been named a Top 10 DUI/DWI attorney for 2016 based on our success in defending our Maryland clients in drunk driving cases.  For more than 20 years, our team of experienced attorneys has been working tirelessly to achieve the best outcome possible for our DUI/DWI clients.  Drunk driving cases are taken very seriously by the Courts, therefore, in order to get a favorable result for a client, defense arguments need to be skillfully crafted.

American Institute’s DUI/DWI Division looks for Attorneys that have achieved unparalleled success, but most importantly have done so for the benefit of their client. Very few Attorneys can do so and our organization recognizes this significant achievement.

If you or a family member has been charged with an alcohol-related offense in Maryland and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on these types of offenses please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 and schedule an appointment at our office in Columbia or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/ 

Maryland DUI Attorney: Driving Within 12 Hours of a DUI Arrest is Against the Law

               In Maryland, there is a law related to DUI/DWI arrests that is often forgotten.  In many cases, people had no idea that a law existed that forbid them from driving within 12 hours of a DUI/DWI arrest.  In a majority of drunk driving cases, the arrests are made late at night or early in the morning.  After the DUI/DWI arrest, many people want to figure out how to protect themselves from facing serious consequences associated with drunk driving.  Driving to the police station to find out more information about their case, driving to the courthouse, or driving to an attorneys office are all places that many people will think to go after being arrested for DUI/DWI.  That is a mistake.

              Yes, it is important to take action quickly after a DUI/DWI arrest.  However, you will risk getting another DUI/DWI-related arrest by driving within 12 hours of your arrest.  This law is in place for safety reasons because if you are arrested for a DUI with a BAC of 0.14 early in the morning, then you go home and go to sleep, and then wake up and try to find an attorney for your case, it is likely that there is still alcohol in your system.  Have somebody else drive you around, or wait until later in the day when the alcohol has been completely absorbed.

              If you or a family member has been charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland and would like a free legal consultation or if you would like more information on DUI or DWI please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 and schedule an appointment at our office in Laurel or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/