| As of October 2009, things got much more difficult for | | | | If it is your first offense within a ten-year period, you |
| drivers charged with operating a motor vehicle under | | | | may be eligible for what is known as probation before |
| the influence of alcohol - and the typical Maryland DUI | | | | judgment (PBJ). If you agree to a year of probation |
| attorney is finding him/herself busier than ever. | | | | and attend an alcohol abuse education and |
| Here's a fact: almost one-third of all traffic fatalities in | | | | rehabilitation program, your record will be cleared. |
| the U.S. involve alcohol. Before new laws went into | | | | Refusal to Take a Blood Alcohol Test |
| effect in the state of Maryland, DUI penalties were | | | | You have the right to refuse a blood alcohol test, but if |
| relatively mild compared to the rest of the nation. Now, | | | | you do refuse, you may lose your driving privileges for |
| offenders face license suspension for up to a year, | | | | four months - or up to a year if it your second offense |
| harsher fines - and even jail time if one furnishes | | | | within ten years. In addition, you may face criminal |
| alcohol to a minor. | | | | penalties if someone was injured as well as substantial |
| Drivers under the age of twenty-one who are | | | | fines if a minor was in the vehicle at the time you |
| charged with DUI also face possession charges. | | | | were stopped. |
| The Legal System In Maryland | | | | Again however, this may be appealed before an |
| Under Maryland state law, DUI cases are handled by | | | | Administrative Law Judge, who may modify the |
| county courts under a two-tier system. If the offender | | | | suspension, allowing the offender to drive to work, |
| had a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of less than | | | | school or alcohol treatment on the condition that an |
| .08, it is considered an "A" offense. If you are charged | | | | "alcohol interlock" - a device that requires the driver to |
| with DUI, you have the right to what is known as an | | | | blow into a breath analyzer before an automotive |
| administrative per se (APS) before an Administrative | | | | engine can be started - is installed in the vehicle. |
| Law Judge (ALJ). This judge has a fair amount of | | | | Penalties |
| discretion when if comes to suspension of driving | | | | If you are convicted of either DUI or DWI, new laws |
| privileges; s/he can dismiss the suspension altogether, | | | | provide for fines of up to $3000 and jail sentences of |
| or make exceptions for driving to a place of | | | | up to three years in addition to loss of driving privileges. |
| employment. | | | | Much of this depends on the circumstances |
| The second tier involves a BAC level of over .08. This | | | | surrounding the offense. Second and third offenses as |
| is actually called "driving while intoxicated" (DWI), and is | | | | well as those involving a minor, carry larger fines and |
| classified as a "B" offense. | | | | longer sentences. |