Finding out that your child is facing a DUI charge is a stressful situation for any parent. Regardless of their age, if this is your child’s first criminal charge, they are likely reeling from the incident. From future implications to social stigma, this event can have a significant impact on their self-image during key developmental years. As a parent, your child needs your support and guidance during this challenging time, even though frustration is an understandable first reaction.

If your child is facing charges of driving under the influence, whether they are of legal age to drink or not, you want to move quickly. Securing an experienced DUI defense lawyer is your first step to helping protect your child’s future.

Why you want to hire a DUI defense lawyer for your child

If your child is a minor, then hiring an attorney is your choice. But if your child is over the age of 18, he or she can legally make decisions about hiring counsel. We also understand that, in all likelihood, you may be the one paying for counsel.

So allow us to explain why you want to hire an attorney for your child.

The penalties for a DUI conviction in Maryland are severe

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime in Maryland. That means there are criminal penalties. Those penalties vary based on different factors

• First offense: up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Second offense: up to two years in jail and a fine up to $2,000.
• Third or subsequent offense: up to three years in jail and up to $3,000 in fines.

Was your child driving around with a minor in the car? If so, a first offense conviction could mean up to two years in jail and up to $2,000 in fines. These penalties will increase for subsequent offenses.

Did someone get seriously hurt? A conviction can mean up to two years in jail and up to $3,000 in fines. If there’s a prior conviction on record, that may increase to five years in jail and $10,000 in fines. If a person dies as a result of a drunk driving incident, it’s up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Unlike other DUI offenses, this one is a felony.

There are also administrative penalties:

• If your child is arrested for DUI, their driver’s license may be suspended for up to 270 days. In addition, a DUI conviction is a 12-point offense which can result in the revocation of their driver’s license.
• Also, depending on the result in court, your child may be required to install and use an Ignition Interlock device.

Remember that Maryland’s DUI laws can be complicated, and the specific penalties can vary depending on the circumstances and any prior convictions. Now that you can communicate these basic facts to your child, it is time to seek legal help.

DUI convictions cause a lot of collateral damage

Is your child attending college on a scholarship? Is he or she seeking employment in a field that requires a professional license, a permit to carry or a security clearance? Is he or she hoping to work in local, state, or federal government?

A DUI conviction can cost all of these dreams. It can lead to revoked grants, loans, and benefits, affect your ability to move up in rank as a member of the armed forces, and in some cases, it may cost your child his or her right to vote.

We know how the laws, and the justice system, work

Unless you or your child is also a criminal defense attorney in Bowie, Crofton, and Owings, we assume that all of this is new to you. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have knowledge of the law, because the State, the judge, and the arresting officer do.

At Carey Law Office, we guide you and your child through the legal process so that you both, as a team, can make important decisions throughout the legal process.

For example, we know how to argue that certain evidence should be suppressed because:

• The stop was illegal.
• The chain of custody was broken for any “evidence.”
• Your child’s Constitutional rights were violated.

We also know that breath tests and field sobriety tests can be inaccurate, and we know how to challenge those results. Even if we cannot have them thrown out, we may be able to show that your child should be facing a lesser charge, like DWI, which comes with reduced penalties and fines. We can also work with the judge to grant your child a PBJ, or probation before judgment. This deferred adjudication program may keep the DUI off your child’s record entirely, as well as help him or her avoid any administrative penalties.

We can also represent you in any and all hearings, including those with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The MVA does not automatically schedule a hearing for individuals charged with DUIs. If your child is facing a DUI charge and wants to keep their license, you and your lawyer must take action within a narrow timeframe to set up an MVA hearing. Your child only has 10 days from the date of your traffic stop to request an MVA hearing and pay the $150 fee to avoid having their license suspended before the hearing.

Considering the significant duration of license suspension (45 days or longer), it is crucial to take immediate action and consult with a DUI defense lawyer at Carey Law Office. We can guide you through complex legal procedures and help develop a strong defense strategy. Act promptly to ensure the best possible outcome for your child.

From challenging the legality of the traffic stop to examining the validity of a field sobriety test to negotiating plea agreements, an experienced attorney will safeguard your child’s rights and work toward the best possible outcome for your family. Read our testimonials to see how we have helped support your neighbors as they face and overcome similar family challenges.

With locations in Bowie, Crofton and Owings, Carey Law Office has extensive experience advocating for the rights of individuals and families in difficult situations like yours. Call our offices or contact us today for your initial consultation and let us fight to preserve your rights. Also serving all of Calvert County.