Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious personal safety and public health issue. Over a recent five-year period, drivers operating a motor vehicle while impaired accounted for roughly 1 in 3 deaths on the road in Maryland, according to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. On average each year, there are approximately 7,884 impaired driving accidents across the state, resulting in 4,026 injuries and 171 deaths.

Driving under the influence defined

If you are charged with a DUI in Maryland, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) has been recorded at a level of 0.08% or higher. BAC is the quantity of alcohol present in a 100 mL volume of blood. Various factors can influence blood alcohol levels after alcohol consumption. These include body weight, gender, quantity of alcohol in the drinks consumed, and any food eaten along with the alcoholic drinks consumed.

Penalties for DUI in Maryland

A DUI charge in Maryland subjects you to both criminal penalties (such as jail time and fines) as well as administrative penalties (such as license suspension). The penalties applied depend on whether the violation is a first or repeat DUI offense.

A first offense DUI in Maryland includes:

  • Fine up to $1,000
  • 6-month license suspension
  • 12 points against the driver’s license
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device on the driver’s car
  • Mandatory participation in the Alcohol Education Program

No mandatory minimum jail time is required with a first offense DUI in Maryland, but the potential of up to one year of incarceration for the offense exists.

An ignition interlock device (IID) prevents the vehicle from starting if the device detects a specified level of alcohol on the driver’s breath. The device also requires the driver to retest at random locations while operating the vehicle. The driver convicted of a DUI is responsible for the expense of the IID as well as a monthly monitoring fee.

A second offense DUI in Maryland includes:

  • Fine up to $2,000
  • Jail time up to 2 years
  • Up to 1 year license suspension
  • 12 points against the driver’s license
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device on the driver’s car
  • Mandatory participation in an alcohol abuse assessment program

A third offense DUI in Maryland includes:

  • Fine up to $3,000
  • Jail time up to 3 years
  • 18 month minimum license suspension
  • 12 points against the driver’s license
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device on the driver’s car
  • Mandatory participation in an alcohol abuse assessment program

If a police officer stops you under suspicion of driving under the influence, the officer may ask you to submit to a portable breath test or field sobriety test. If the test indicates your BAC is above the legal limit, the officer will issue you an Order of Suspension with your traffic citation. At this time, the police officer may take your Maryland driver’s license and provide you with a 45-day temporary paper license.

An experienced DUI attorney may be able to reduce your charges, or have them dismissed altogether.

For more than four decades, our Maryland DUI defense attorneys at Carey Law Office have been advocating strongly on behalf of the accused. We understand how law enforcement and the prosecution operate in DUI cases and can work intelligently to contest their actions as necessary to ensure your rights are protected. Our team will fight to achieve the best possible outcome on your behalf. We offer our legal services in Bowie, Crofton, and throughout the state. To set up a free consultation, call us today 301.464.2500 or complete our contact form.