Is Counseling Helpful In Mitigating A DUI Case In Maryland?

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A lot of times, people say, “Why should I go to treatment if I’m saying to the judge that I’m guilty?” Just because you went into treatment does not mean we have to turn that letter into the judge. It is certainly a tool we want to have in the toolbox when going to court. In our jurisdiction, you must get an evaluation and have an alcohol education treatment program. The sooner you do it, the better you look in the eyes of the court. I highly recommend my clients to be proactive and do it as soon as possible.

Common Mistakes Detrimental To A Favorable Resolution Of A DUI Case

One simple mistake is to think that if you are going to talk to the police, then you are going to get arrested. Be nice and polite to the police officer. Do not yell; it makes a huge difference to what the outcome is. If there is a chance to get something dismissed because there is an evidentiary issue, but you were a jerk to the police officer, they are going to appear in court. The state is always going to ask the police officers about the conduct of who was arrested. The court will often ask, “Were they polite and cooperative?” Therefore, you should be polite and cooperative.

Once you get arrested, you do not have to answer any questions, you do not have to give any evidence and you can be polite and cooperative. More often, in the last twenty-two years, if you have been arrested and they tell you do not drive, do not get in the car or walk to the car and drive. More than one time I have had the same person gets two DWIs the same night. Do not do that. Do not go back to the car, call a friend, Uber, call a cab, walk home, and do not go back to the car until the next morning.

Unique Attributes Of Attorney Marc Ward In Handling DUI Cases

We try to give personal attention. It is an hourly rate deal. It is not that you pay every time you call me. Sometimes you do in some cases, but we try to do it with a flat rate and we try to encourage people to come in and bring their questions to us. If you can call, fine, but if you want, you can come in and sit down and ask me the questions and let me help you go through it. We try to refer you and give you choices in terms of the treatment to make it easier with your schedule. We try to be available in the evenings or at night to see people. We see a lot of people after work.

It is personal attention, attention to detail, time and our experience. We also try to know where we are going and we try to know who we are going to be in front of and really anticipate what the outcome might be. That will take away some of the anxiety if I could tell the client this. This is exactly what is going to happen because based on my experience, my knowledge and based on doing this many times, I will tell you this is what the outcome is going to be. The last thing anybody wants or I want is any surprises. So if you get to court and they bring a visiting judge from another county somewhere else and we cannot make a phone call and figure out what that judge does, then we try to figure out a way not to do that case that day.

For more information on Counseling As A Mitigating Factor, a free case evaluation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (301) 662-2911 today.