I’m looking at my sister’s auto insurance policy here in Columbia, Maryland and I need help in understanding it because I will buy my own auto insurance soon. How would I know how much liability coverage she has on her policy?

Tara

Columbia, MD

It would be easy to find out how much liability coverage your sister has on her auto insurance in Columbia, Maryland. This is typically shown as three numbers which are written like this – 25/50/25. This would mean that it would pay $25,000 for physical injury or medical costs per person, $50,000 for physical injury or medical costs per accident and $25,000 to cover for property damage for every accident she may have.

You must realize though that if you will be involved in a serious car accident, the minimum liability auto insurance coverage would likely not cover all the costs. It would be a good idea to purchase more so that you could be sure to have the appropriate coverage in case of a serious accident, which generally means major bills. It would also be a wise decision to buy more than the minimum especially if you own a home, have a huge savings account or have a real estate. The injured party can sue you if you were the one who caused the accident, and if they do, you can keep the courts from going after your personal financial business if you have enough liability insurance.

My sister would have to do community service and drug rehabilitation/sober living environments because she was convicted for her DUI case in Columbia, Maryland. What does she have to do with that and how do those programs work?

Kenneth

Columbia, MD

Community service and drug rehabilitation/sober living environments are two of the alternative DUI sentencing programs in the state of Maryland. Instead of going to jail, your sister would just have to do the conditions of the programs as part of her conviction for her DUI charge in Columbia, Maryland. In doing the community service, she would have to work in an approved program to substitute for her jail time or fines. Community service is commonly not hard physical labor, and it would be particularly desirable for someone with injuries or other limitations.

When ordered as a condition of release pending the resolution of the DUI case or as part of a DUI sentence, drug rehabilitation/sober living environments offer an attractive alternative to serving time in jail for those who are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. The time spent in the rehabilitation could count as time spent in jail, but it would likely require the efforts of a DUI attorney to make sure that the proper credits are awarded.

I know that just like breath testing, police officers in Columbia, Maryland require some kind of certification in conducting field sobriety tests for a DUI arrest. But if they don’t pass the exams, are they allowed to re-take the exams?

Efren

Columbia, MD

Field sobriety testing in a DUI investigation is a very interesting topic that you might just want to try and experience conducting it to someone who is suspected for DUI. But yes, just like the breath testing, field sobriety testing requires training and certification before police officers, including those in Columbia, Maryland, could actually be able to administer the tests in DUI suspects. Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) training should be 16 hours and must include at least two controlled drinking sessions utilizing volunteer drinkers.

In order to validly complete the classroom portion of the training, SFST candidates should complete a final examination with a score of not less than 80%. Candidates who scored less than 80% on the final exams may be retested one time under the supervision of a SFST instructor. The retest should be done not less than 15 nor more than 30 days following the completion of the classroom training. The exam used should not have been administered to the candidate previously. If the candidate doesn’t achieve a passing score on the re-examination, the candidate must re-take the classroom portion of the training and pass the final exams.

I was convicted for DUI here in Columbia, Maryland. Part of my punishment is to enroll in DUI alcohol education classes. How much would this cost me and what is the objective of these classes?

Aliya

Columbia, MD

Since you have been convicted for DUI in Columbia, Maryland, you would face DUI alcohol education. The judge will take into account certain factors such as your DUI record, your blood alcohol content when you were arrested and other specifics relevant to your case before he/she orders you to enroll in such classes. The classes that you will take must be approved by the court and will be paid by you. The cost ranges from under $100 to a few hundred dollars. The court should also receive documentation when you have finished your course work.

In Maryland, the court views successful completion of alcohol education as a reason to reinstate your driving privileges. Your insurance company can also lower your insurances rates upon successful completion of such course work. The objective of DUI alcohol education is to discuss the effects that alcohol and/or drugs can have on a person’s body. There may also be open and frank discussions centered on the consequences of drinking and driving and how it can affect other people’s lives.

A friend of mine was charged with DUI here in Maryland. He suggested that we stay at another’s friend house after a big party but I insisted on going home. He didn’t let me drive because actually, both of us had a few drinks. I want to help him as much as I can because I feel that I owe him a lot. Is there a way that he can get out of his DUI charge?

Eunice

Columbia, MD

There is no easy answer to that question of getting out of a DUI charge because DUI is a criminal offense. Your friend would have to go through a criminal trial and even administrative hearings about his driving privileges if he’s not able to make a plea bargain. Handling these proceedings on his own is probably the quickest way to lose his case but if he chooses to work with a Maryland DUI lawyer who knows the in’s and out’s, he could successfully defend himself against the DUI charge.

He may be able to plead guilty to lesser charges and be sentenced to lesser penalties. If he’s not able to make a plea agreement, his case will proceed to trial.

Having an expert Maryland DUI lawyer on his side, he may have access to expert witnesses and specific information that can be a great help during his trial. These witnesses can be used to refute testimony or show that chemical test results were unreliable or invalid.

He’ll most likely need to attend administrative hearings held to determine the status of his driving privileges after he has been arrested for DUI. His DUI lawyer can work with him to prepare for the appeal hearing. The lawyer can also speak on his behalf during this hearing so that he has a better chance of getting his driving privileges reinstated. His DUI attorney would know what to say and how to handle his case because of the experience they have in the field of DUI law.

I know you might not want to hear this but if your friend will be convicted of DUI, there is no way to get out of the DUI itself. Good news is that he can minimize the penalties that are imposed upon him. His DUI lawyer can speak on his behalf before sentencing takes place so that the judge can hear and consider all of the circumstances in his case.

Working with a Maryland DUI lawyer is the best answer to the question of how to get out of a DUI. These experienced professionals have a great deal of experience in handling DUI cases and have a high level of knowledge and know how to best present your friend’s defense for your specific situation. No one can guarantee that he will win his case, but having a DUI lawyer on his side can make the difference between winning and losing.

Hi. I’m very much concerned about the premium on my car insurance. I was just recently charged with DUI here in Maryland. How will my DUI charge affect my premium?

Peter

Columbia, MD

It sometimes can be surprising how having a DUI charge in Maryland can immensely affect a driver’s life. Aside from the substantial amount that DUI convicts would have to pay and possible jail time, they give high regard about their car insurance premium.

It is possible that nothing will happen for some time if you already have a policy in effect. Your current insurance company may not find out that you have a DUI charge in Maryland. However, insurance companies sometimes randomly check driving records of their customers. In an instance of a DUI charge, many companies will non-renew your policy at expiration. Should that happen, there are several non-standard, commonly cited as high-risk, companies that would take you. It will not be unusual for your premium to triple with a non-standard insurance company. You should sit tight and not make any waves if you are currently getting your insurance from a preferred company.

I strongly suggest you pay your bills on time and more importantly, do not let it cancel. Also, do not change companies because any insurance company writing a new policy will order your driving record and find out about your DUI charge.