Annapolis and Baltimore Motor Vehicle Administration Hearings Attorney
If you are arrested on suspicion of DUI in Maryland, you face suspension of your driver's license before you are even convicted of drunk driving. You have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to request a hearing with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) to protest this suspension. Most people don't realize how important it is to hire an attorney to represent them at this hearing.
My name is Jim Crawford. For the past 18 years, I have represented people in Baltimore, Catonsville, Annapolis, Bel Air and throughout Maryland in both MVA hearings and criminal court actions related to drunk driving charges.
What Is an MVA Hearing?
An MVA hearing is a administrative action authorized under COMAR and various Maryland Statutes that gives the Motor Vehicle Administration the ability to sanction you for offenses such as a DUI arrest, too many points, suspensions, revocations, etc. Under the current laws your driver's license can be suspended even if you are later cleared of the criminal charge of drunk driving.
MVA hearings are very difficult to win if you represent yourself. An experienced attorney can advise you how to prepare and present evidence favorable to you. An attorney can also use the hearing as an opportunity to review and challenge the Motor Vehicle Administrations case against you. For example, as your lawyer, I may have an opportunity to cross-examine the police officer who arrested you and find out if the stop was legal according to administrative procedures. If police did not have a reasonable belief that you operated a motor vehicle while under the influence then the M.V.A. may not be successful in their case against you.
- If your B.A.C was .15 or higher there are additional potential sanctions against you
- Even if your B.A.C. was below a .05 there still could be potential criminal sanctions
- If you have an "out of State license" there could still be sanctions against you
- C.D.L. licenses need to be protected because of enormous consequences
- Test refusals carry potential additional consequences and can be used in the criminal charge against you
- Police incorrectly advising you regarding test procedures can potentially lead to a "not guilty"
Contact Me
To protect your driving privileges, contact me, Maryland MVA hearings attorney Jim Crawford, before you talk to police or anyone else. I am available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To contact me, call 443-701-4525 or 866-635-0623. I offer a free initial consultation.
