Caught Driving Without a License? How to Get a Maryland License Without Immigration Papers

Charges for driving without a license are one of the most common issues new immigrants to the United States face. Many recent arrivals don't realize that a license from their home country does not operate as a valid driver's license in the United States. At Portner & Shure, we help our clients fight these charges. If you've been charged with driving without a license in Maryland, the best thing you can do in your defense is to get a valid license. Since 2013, Maryland law has provided a pathway for individuals without proof of legal residency in the United States to obtain a driver's license. Here's how:

1. File and pay Maryland income taxes for two full years before applying. Then obtain a certification letter from the Comptroller  of Maryland to prove it. If you've already paid two years of taxes, you can request the letter here: http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Individual_Taxes/Individual_Tax_Types/Income_Tax/Obtain_MVA_Tax_Certifications/ 
2. Make sure your passport is current and valid. If you do not have a valid passport, other official ID may be sufficient, however, an unexpired passport is your safest option.
3. Obtain two separate forms of proof of residency in Maryland. These documents can be in the form of a residential lease, a phone or utility bill, or a bank statement.
4. Study the Maryland Drivers Manual, which you can find here in English: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/drivers/maryland-drivers-manual.htm and in Spanish: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/drivers/rookie-driver/tutorial/tutorial-intro.html 
5. Schedule your written test and driving exam with the MVA

Don't get caught driving without a valid driver's license in Maryland and make sure you follow those steps above to get a Maryland driver's license. If you've been charged with driving without a license in Maryland, call the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000, (410) 995-1515. 

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/ 

Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer: MVA Guidelines on Revoked Driver’s Licenses

            The point system used by MVA in Maryland is confusing for everyone.  It is important to know of the important point thresholds and how they affect your Maryland driver’s license. 

If you accumulate 3-4 points, MVA will send you a warning letter to notify you of the point accumulation. 

If you receive between 5-7 points, driver improvement classes will be required. 

Once you accumulate between 8-11 points, your license is suspended.  This can happen either from an accumulation of points based on several driving offenses, or it can result from an alcohol or drug violation while driving. 

Once you have 12 or more points, your license is revoked.  In order to have your driving privileges reinstated, you must wait a certain amount of time depending on your case.  For a first revocation, there is a 6 month waiting period.  However, with 4 or more revocations on your driving record, there is a 2 year waiting period.  This waiting period begins the day that you turn in your driver’s license to MVA. 

Once the waiting period has finished, you may apply for reinstatement with MVA’s Driver Wellness and Safety Division.  Once MVA has made a determination for your license, you will be notified whether it has been granted or denied.

If you have been charged with a crime in Maryland, call us today to speak to one our experienced Maryland criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation or if you would like more information please feel free to contact our office at (301) 854-9000 and schedule an appointment at our office in Baltimore or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Maryland-Criminal-Defense/

Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer: Legislators Want Jail Time for Adults Hosting Underage Drinking Parties

            As we wrote about last month, legislators in Maryland’s General Assembly are working towards passing legislation to increase the penalty for adults that “knowingly and willingly” host underage drinking parties at their home.  Currently, anyone convicted of violating this law are only required to pay a maximum fine of $2,500 per offense.  The call for stricter penalties comes after a devastating accident last summer in which two Potomac teens died in a car accident after attending an underage drinking party.  The bill, which is referred to as “Alex and Calvin’s Law,” is named after the two who died in the accident.

            

            Last month, both the Senate and House passed their respective versions of the bill nearly unanimously.  Both versions of the bill would include a jail sentence of up to one year for a first offense and up to two years for each subsequent offense of “knowingly and willingly” hosting an underage drinking party.  Both bills would also increase the fines for a first offense and every subsequent offense.  There are slight differences in the two versions, however.  The two bodies of lawmakers are trying to hammer out certain details in order to get one uniform bill passed into law.  The biggest difference between the Senate and House versions is that one requires jail time for both furnishing alcohol to underage teenagers and for hosting an underage drinking party, while the other version only requires jail time for hosting an underage drinking party. 

            

            If the Senate and House can come together and create a unified bill, it would then go to a vote, and if passed, could be signed into law by Governor Hogan.

              

            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 Laurel or throughout Maryland, or visit us on the web at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Criminal-Defense/DWI-DUI/