The State of Maryland has some very strict laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are pulled over and suspected of driving under the influence, you will be tested and can face restrictions on your freedom, as well as financial penalties. They have two separations of penalties. A BAC of .07 means that you will be facing a charge of DWI and a BAC of .08 and higher will mean that you are facing a DUI. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above is the measurement for normal drivers, but if you are a commercial driver this benchmark will be .04 and if you are a minor, no alcohol should be in your system at all.
First DWI Offense
If you are arrested for a DUI in Maryland, you will lose your license for a minimum of 6 months. Jail time will be from a minimum of 2 months and up to 6 months if you were arrested with a minor in your car. Fines will be from $500 to $1000, depending upon the aggravating factors of your arrest.
First DUI Offense
A DUI conviction will result in you losing your license for up to 6 months, which can severely impact your freedom. Your jail sentence can be anywhere from no time required up to 2 years, depending upon your arrest. One year is the maximum offense, but if you were arrested with a minor in the car, you can be facing up to two years. Fees can range from $1000 to $2000, depending upon your sentence and whether or not you had a minor in the car with you.
Second DWI Offense
If you are arrested for a second DWI within five years of the first, your punishment and penalties will be increased. You license can be suspended for a period of up to 1 year and you will be facing up to 1 year in jail, plus a fine of $500 to $2000 will be levied. If you had a minor in the car with you when you were arrested with a DWI, you will be facing more than double the penalties and punishments.
Second DUI Offense
The second time you are convicted of a DUI will be a minimum of 1 year in jail and you can apply for restricted reinstatement with the installation of an interlock ignition device after a period of 45 days. As far as jail time, you will be looking at up to 3 years in jail, depending upon whether you had a minor in the car with you and other aggravating factors. Fines of $2000 to $3000 will be mandated as well, so be sure that you keep that in mind when choosing to drive under the influence.
Third DUI Offense
A third DUI offense will result in you losing your license for a minimum of 18 months and this can be a long time to do without your license. This suspension will begin after you fulfill your jail sentence of anywhere from 3 to 4 years. Fines from $3000 to $4000 will be levied against you as well. If you have a minor in the car, you will be facing stricter penalties, so the best answer is to just not drive under the influence.
Maryland is not light on the penalties and punishments for people driving under the influence. Whether you get a lawyer or not, you will want to realize that you have a choice whether to get in the car or not when you are drinking or taking drugs. Make the right choice and keep your freedom and your money.