DUI litigation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Updated September 30, 2022.  As many of you are aware, courts and the MVA are now open.  Court hearings are back to normal for the most part, except that there is a backlog of cases that were postponed or delayed during the pandemic.  Some District Courts have two am and pm dockets.  Most have a single morning and single afternoon docket.  Face masks are now optional.  All MVA hearings are virtual for the time being – on the web-x platform.   Those of you who are facing DUI or other traffic charges and/or license suspension hearings need to know what is going on with your cases.  If you need to obtain a new driver’s license or modify it, you need to make an appointment at the MVA.

One thing you can always do is check the status of your court cases on Maryland Judiciary Case Search.  You can click on the link or google it.  Click the disclaimer.  Put in your last and first name and click.  Your tickets should be listed.  If you have a common name and the search results take more than one page, you can click on the filing date tab twice, and the most recent cases filed will be listed first.  You can also limit your search by checking the county where the charges were filed, and in most traffic cases, select District Court.  On the left side, the ticket or case numbers are listed and you will be able to see information about your case by clicking on the case number.  If you have a court date, it should be on the page.

If you have recently been arrested, and you either refused a breath or blood test, or failed one, the officer seized your license and gave you a temporary license that allows you to driver for 45 days.  If you asked for a hearing you can drive until your hearing.  If you want a hearing, you should send the hearing request to the Hunt Valley address indicated by certified mail, return receipt requested, with a check for $150 made payable to the Maryland State Treasurer.  This must be sent within 30 days of the issue date on the Order of Suspension, also included on the temporary license form.  If you elect to participate in the ignition interlock program without a hearing, read the next paragraph.

If you are subject to a restriction with an ignition interlock, in the past you could only get a driver’s license after installing the interlock, and could only remove the interlock after getting the license changed back to a regular unrestricted license.  As the MVA is currently only half-open, they have authorized the interlock providers to notify the MVA for you of your current status, and change their records accordingly.  Make sure you have all of the paperwork from the interlock provider with you while you are driving.  For our clients, we will send the paperwork to the MVA, but everyone must still schedule an appointment at the MVA to get the license changed.

If you want to see your driving record, if you have your driver license number (also called your soundex number) a credit or debit card with $9, and the last four of your social security number, you can get your driving record online.  Click here and follow the instructions.

If you are participating in an alcohol/drug education or treatment program, many of those are now being held telephonically or by Zoom.  A list of alcohol/drug programs certified by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene may be downloaded here.  If you have an alcohol or drug related charge you will want to select only programs that say: “Level 0.5 — Early Intervention – DWI Education.”

Our firm offers all prospective clients the option of telephonic, zoom, or in person free initial consultations.  If you have any questions, feel free to call Goldstein & Stamm, P.A. at 301-345-0122.  We will be happy to answer your questions.