Know Your Legal Rights If Stopped By the Police
by
Randolph Rice on May. 13, 2017
Summary: If you’re stopped by the police, will you know your legal rights? Maryland DUI lawyer Randolph Rice has prepared this helpful guide if you are stopped for a DUI investigation in Maryland.
Stopped For a DUI Investigation in Maryland
If you are stopped by the police, and questions goes beyond a request for your driver’s license and registration card, you should hand the attached card to the officer. Remain silent until the officer has read the card. Make sure that you have read the eight points on this card so that you will understand your rights at the time of the stop.
Keep This Handy in your Car – Driver’s Rights Card
If you are stopped by a police officer and suspected of drunk driving, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Notice to Police Officer:
This constitutes an official notification and should be retained for your records and use by the court:
- I hereby tender my driver’s license and vehicle registration.
- I have committed no crime and request that my papers be returned to me and that I be allowed to depart immediately.
- If you are not going to allow me to leave at this time, I will assume that this is more than a brief investigatory stop and I will consider myself under arrest.
- I invoke my RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, and do not wish to make any statements, nor do I wish to answer any questions relating to consumption of alcohol. I rightfully, and voluntarily, CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE ANY FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS (NOTICE: THIS CASE RESULT IN MVA ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES, SUCH AS LOSS OF PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE IN MARYLAND), including the ABC’s, touch-nose, balancing tests, etc., and further refuse to be tested with the hand-held preliminary breath test..
- If I am in fact under arrest, I DO CONSENT to a test of my urine, or breath at the police station or other properly authorized location. I do not waive any deficiencies in the procedures or advisement that you provide during this arrest and the tests incident thereto.
- If I am served with an “Administrative Order of Suspension”, I hereby preserve my right to request a hearing on the proposed administrative suspension.
- I DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH of my person, vehicle, or any other property without my written permission.
- I immediately INVOKE MY RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY and request that I be allowed to call ATTORNEY G. RANDOLPH RICE, JR. at (410) 288-2900. I will not answer any further questions until my attorney, G. RANDOLPH RICE, JR. is present.
Let this information speak for you. If you don’t feel comfortable remembering, print this page and keep in your glovebox at all time.
DO NOT READ ALOUD TO THE OFFICER.
These information won’t prevent a drunk driver from being caught if sufficient VISABLE proof of impairment exists (such as staggering, belligerence, etc.) so please do not expect this information to solve all problems.
If you have been in an accident, call Attorney G. Randolph Rice, Jr. immediately.
NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
This information shown is intended to educate members of the Maryland public as to their rights under the law and to help the presumptively innocent citizens in properly asserting those rights. It is not intended to aid drunk drivers in evading punishment.
Maryland DUI attorney Randolph Rice
Attorney Randolph Rice is a Maryland DUI lawyer. He is a former Assistant State’s Attorney and has been defending clients charged with DUI since 2009. He is recognized by Super Lawyers, Avvo as a 10 out 10 Superb Lawyer and he is Lead Counsel Rated in Maryland for DUI law.