While representing people accused of driving offenses, it is come to our attention that occasionally the records the police rely on while apprehending suspects contain some pretty serious errors that can result in prejudice to the driver. Here are a few examples.
One of our clients was recently charged with driving on a suspended license. A review of the driving record showed that his license had been suspended for 270 days, but for some unknown reason the suspension remained on his record for more than 270 days. The MVA should have noted the withdrawal of the suspension on the driving record. However it did not, and when the driver was stopped on the 274th day, the officer charged him, among other charges, with driving while suspended. This can be a pretty serious charge, if the defendant has previously been found guilty of this offense. It also creates potential immigration issues. Upon calling the MVA, they corrected the record, and it can now be proven using a certified copy of that record that he is not guilty of driving while license suspended.
Another client moved to Florida and obtained a Florida driver’s license. He turned in his Maryland driver’s license. But the MVA did not record this. When visiting Maryland, he received a charge of driving in violation of a license restriction because all Marylanders under 21 have an alcohol restriction on their driver’s license. As a result his license was suspended for one year. However, as a Florida licensee, he should not have been suspended or charged. After contacting the MVA, they searched for and confirmed that the Maryland license had indeed been surrendered and removed the suspension.