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Md. high court weighs language barrier’s effect on DUI case
A police officer’s failure to advise a Spanish-speaking motorist of his rights in his spoken language and give directions in his native tongue should have rendered his failed breath alcohol and field sobriety tests inadmissible at his drunk-driving trial, a defense attorney said Monday in urging Maryland’s top court via videoconference to overturn the man’s […]
Md. high court opens term, will hear tax, debt-collection cases
Maryland’s top court on Thursday opens the public sessions of its 2019-2020 term, during which it will consider among its approximately 75 appeals whether the state’s remedy for an unconstitutional tax it imposed on out-of-state income is similarly unconstitutional. During its September Term 2019, the Court of Appeals will also weigh if creditors seeking delinquent […]
When is the person at the wheel not the driver?
The Court of Appeals has agreed to consider how much deference judges owe to a police officer’s conclusion that the person sitting in the driver’s seat was indeed the driver.
Md. lawmakers plan bill to close ‘Noah’s Law’ loophole
ANNAPOLIS – Accused drunk drivers who are not convicted but receive probation before judgment in a Maryland court would be required to use ignition interlock devices for six months under coming legislation. Sponsors say the measure will close a loophole in the state’s landmark 2016 law named for a police officer struck and killed by […]
Police need not specify breath, blood test, Md. high court says
Police need not specify whether they want a suspected drunk motorist to take a blood or breath test for the presence of alcohol, Maryland’s top court unanimously ruled last week in overruling a lower court’s reinstatement of a commercial driver’s license because the officer had not stated the two options. In its 7-0 decision Thursday, […]
Maryland might have accelerated ‘red flag’ trend
Welcome to Monday, the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Frontiero v. Richardson decision striking down as unconstitutional the denial of benefits to women in the military that are provided to their male colleagues. Here are some news items to get your week started. — “Red flag” gun restrictions gain support following Maryland’s enactment. […]
Insurers seek brakes on comparative negligence for cyclists
ANNAPOLIS — Cycling organizations urged legislators Tuesday to establish a comparative negligence standard for when they or pedestrians are struck by vehicles, drawing opposition from insurers, defense attorneys and local governments. Sen. Susan C. Lee, D-Montgomery, proposed a “comparative negligence carve-out” similar to one that went into effect in Washington, D.C. in 2016. Senate[...]
Fourth DUI could soon lead to up to 10 years in jail
The bill also makes a fourth drunken-driving conviction a felony in addition to the increased penalty.
Study: Md.’s alcohol tax increase led to drop in drunken driving accidents
The increase in Maryland’s alcohol tax in 2011 has saved lives, advocates said after a new study showed a decrease in alcohol-related car crashes in the last six years. The study, by researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, showed a 6 percent decrease in alcohol-involved car incidents that lead to an injury or fatality. […]
Supporters of Md. ignition interlock law push for changes
ANNAPOLIS — Supporters of expanding ignition interlock requirements to all drunk drivers in Maryland are criticizing changes made to the measure by lawmakers. The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill to the House floor last week, but supporters said Thursday the measure has been watered down. The bill would require all drivers with blood alcohol […]
Md. panel Oks measure to allow prison for hosts of underage drinking parties
Spurred by the drunken-driving related deaths of two teenagers in June, Montgomery County police officers urged lawmakers Wednesday to pass legislation to allow judges to imprison adults who host underage drinking parties.
Montgomery County deaths spur Maryland drunken-driving bills
The drunken-driving-related deaths in Montgomery County last year of two recent high-school graduates and a police officer have spurred legislation to allow judges to imprison adults who host underage-drinking parties, permit drunken-driving victims to get punitive damages and increase the punishment for drunken motorists who kill people.
