| DUI laws vary by state, so it is important to understand | | | | Dangerous Substance |
| the laws specific to where you have been charged | | | | You do not need to be drunk to get a DUI. You will be |
| when going about your defense. Most states assess | | | | charged with Driving Under the Influence of a |
| different penalties depending on your level of | | | | Controlled or Dangerous Substance if you are impaired |
| intoxication. The state of Maryland is no exception. | | | | by something other than alcohol or common |
| Maryland DUI Charges | | | | non-prescription medication. This covers impairment |
| There are three different types of drug and alcohol | | | | from illegal drugs as well as prescription medication |
| related charges you can be convicted of in Maryland. | | | | that inhibits your ability to drive. |
| The penalties are more severe for your second | | | | The penalties for a first offense are: |
| offense than they are for your first offense. | | | | · Maximum one year in jail |
| In order to determine whether or not you are | | | | · $1,000 fine |
| intoxicated, the police officer will perform a series of | | | | · Suspension of your license for up to a year |
| field sobriety tests on you. If he suspects that you are | | | | The penalties for a second offense are: |
| impaired, he will ask you to submit to a breath test. If | | | | · Maximum three years in jail |
| you refuse the breath test, your license will | | | | · $3,000 fine |
| automatically be suspended for 120 days and it will be | | | | · Revocation of your license and referral to the |
| considered an admission of guilt in court. | | | | medical advisory board |
| Driving While Impaired | | | | The penalties for each of these offenses are greater |
| If your blood alcohol level (BAC) is between .07 and | | | | when you are transporting a minor. Your first and |
| .08, you will be charged with Driving While Impaired | | | | second convictions will be misdemeanors. On your third |
| (DWI). The penalties for a first offense DWI are: | | | | conviction, all subsequent DUI infractions will be felonies. |
| · Maximum 2 months in jail | | | | Keeping your License and Dealing with Insurance |
| · $500 fine | | | | Issues |
| · 8 points on your license | | | | If you have been charged with a DUI, you have ten |
| · Suspension of your license | | | | days to request a hearing with the Motor Vehicle |
| The penalties for a second offense DWI are: | | | | Association (MVA) to keep your driver’s license. If |
| · Maximum one year in jail | | | | you fail to request your hearing in this time period, your |
| · $500 fine | | | | license will automatically be suspended. |
| · 8 points on your license | | | | A DUI conviction may also cause problems with your |
| · Suspension of your license | | | | insurance company. Many insurance carriers will either |
| Driving Under the Influence | | | | drastically raise your rates or possibly cancel your |
| If your BAC is .08 or greater, you will be charged with | | | | policy once they become aware of your conviction. |
| Driving Under the Influence (DUI). The penalties for a | | | | It is important to consult an experienced DUI attorney |
| first offense DUI are: | | | | immediately after you’ve been charged. He will be |
| · Maximum one year in jail | | | | able to help you deal with hearings and insurance |
| · $1,000 fine | | | | company issues. Proper representation will greatly |
| · 12 points on your license | | | | increase your chances of reducing your sentence. A |
| · 45 day suspension of your license | | | | good attorney can sometimes get you a Probation |
| The penalties for a second offense DUI are: | | | | Before Judgment (PBJ), which would keep your DUI |
| · Maximum two years in jail, minimum five days if | | | | offense off of your driving record so that your |
| both convictions are within a five year period | | | | insurance company will never know about it. |
| · $2,000 fine | | | | If you have been charged with a DUI offense in the |
| · 12 points on your license | | | | Baltimore, Maryland area, please contact the law |
| · 90 day suspension of your license | | | | offices of Jimeno & Gray, P.A. today to schedule |
| Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled or | | | | an initial consultation. |