When You've Been Pulled Over at a Sobriety Checkpoint in Baltimore, Maryland (Part A)

Every state has specific laws for controlling the occurrence of DUI. A Sobriety checkpoint in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the many methods of DUI prevention that is legal in Maryland. An arrest at one of these checkpoints means you should contact a Baltimore DWI defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Defining a Sobriety Checkpoint in Baltimore, Maryland

A sobriety checkpoint is an area of road where police set up a required review of all vehicles that pass through. When police establish a sobriety checkpoint they are evaluating drivers for signs of driving while intoxicated or impaired.

Maryland doesn't require law enforcement to alert drivers that sobriety checkpoints will be in operation until they actually approach the area. Some counties do extend this courtesy to their residents by announcing them on local radio and TV, but in many cases you'll approach a sobriety checkpoint without warning.

Holidays, high traffic weekends, and popular driving routes are all places where sobriety checkpoints are common. Police determine areas based on the likelihood that intoxicated drivers will pass through them. The purpose of the checkpoints is to prevent DUI accidents before they happen by making sure all drivers in an area are sober.

Approaching the Sobriety Checkpoint Safely

Each vehicle that passes through the sobriety checkpoint must be looked over by a police officer. This means there may be a bit of a line following the road signs that alert you to the checkpoint. It's important to remain safely inside your vehicle and comply with traffic flow to keep things moving and avoid suspicion.

Remember that officers are looking for erratic behavior that may be indicative of driving while intoxicated. The more compliant you are with the directions during the sobriety checkpoint, the less suspicion you'll raise. It'll be beneficial for you to contact a Baltimore DWI defense lawyer to learn more about approaching a sobriety checkpoint and your legal rights during this ordinance.

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