Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges are serious offenses.
Our defense lawyers know a DUI conviction has a severe impact on a person’s ability to lead a normal life. These criminal charges can result in driver’s license suspension, heavy fines, jail time, higher car insurance premiums, and difficulty obtaining employment or education prospects. A Maryland state court may require you to pay for and attend alcohol education classes, and being convicted of such an offense categorizes you as a high-risk motorist.
Finding a trusted Baltimore DUI lawyer to explain and protect your rights should be your first priority when facing criminal charges such as these.
At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we offer expert legal representation to Maryland drivers facing drugged and drunk driving charges. So, if you’re in need of an attorney to defend you against the criminal charges you’re facing, contact us for help.
Getting in touch with us immediately after your drunk driving arrest can significantly increase your chances of avoiding the harshest punishments or a wrongful conviction. This is why it’s important that you contact us for a free consultation right away.
How Can a Drunk Driving Lawyer Help Me?
You can count on us at Belsky & Horowitz, LLC to have the skill and experience to win your case. We’ll examine the circumstances of your DUI traffic stop, your blood alcohol content test results, your past driving records, and the specifics surrounding your charges.
We offer consultations at our Baltimore, MD criminal defense law firm to discuss your drunk driving charge. We don’t let any confidential or sensitive information leave this meeting. As a law office experienced in handling DUI defense cases, we know how severely this type of charge can shatter your life.
Our attorneys will study the facts of your DUI or DWI case to identify any defense in your favor. We’ll look into any alternative options that could lessen any potential penalties you’re facing and help you keep your driver’s license, reduce fines, or avoid a jail sentence.
What Are the Penalties for a DUI or DWI in Maryland?
The Maryland laws for DUI and DWI offenses are:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Blood alcohol content (BAC) test results of 0.08% or higher
- Driving While Impaired (DWI): BAC test results between 0.07% and 0.08%, or a lower reading if the driver is impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol
Under Maryland’s “Zero Tolerance” law for underage drinking, any driver under 21 who has a BAC test result of 0.02% or higher can be charged with a DUI offense.
Under Maryland state law, DUI and DWI penalties can range from driver’s license suspension to fines to jail time. All driving under the influence convictions must also be reported to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Below is a brief outline of the penalties that frequently accompany an offense in our state.
First DUI Offense Penalties
Motorists with a blood alcohol content (BAC) test reading of 0.08 or above can be charged with a DUI. Drivers who test below 0.08 but above 0.05 can also be charged with a DUI or DWI. Penalties include:
- Imprisonment for up to one year
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Twelve points on your driving record
- Driver’s license revoked for up to six months after the drunk driving conviction
Penalties Associated With Secondary DUI Offenses
Penalties for a second offense are stricter. Getting the help of a lawyer is imperative if you are facing a repeat DUI charge in Baltimore. If you are convicted of your second offense, penalties may include:
- Fines up to $2,000
- Two years in jail
- Suspended driver’s license for up to one year or more
- Jail time of up to three years and a fine of up to $3,000 if transporting a minor
A district court judge will usually order that you participate in a number of programs, like the Maryland Drinking Driver Monitor Program (DDMP). An ignition interlock system will also likely be mandated.
Third DUI Offense Penalties
A DUI lawyer is absolutely necessary if you are facing a third conviction. The more recently your other convictions occurred, the more severely Maryland courts may punish you. The circumstances of your previous drunk driving cases will be weighed heavily by the judge when sentencing. Consequences can include:
- Three years’ jail sentence
- Up to a $3,000 fine
- Twelve points on your license
- Revoked driver’s license
Other consequences affecting your reputation and livelihood will be applied if you are convicted. These may include mandatory incarceration periods, probation periods, the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID), alcohol and drug education and rehabilitation, insurance penalties, and more.
It cannot be understated how important it is to be represented by an experienced lawyer if you face DUI charges in Maryland for a third time. So, if you’ve been charged with this serious offense, make sure you prioritize reaching out to our office. Discussing your case with a lawyer will cost you nothing.
What Are Other Consequences of a Conviction?
In Maryland, a DUI conviction will stay on your driving record for at least five years. Employers, insurance providers, law enforcement, and others will have access to these records. However, the consequences of a conviction extend beyond your driving record.
It could have an impact on finances as now you will have to pay higher insurance rates. You might even lose out on potential employment opportunities.
Along with that, the points associated with the DUI will remain on your driving record for three years from the violation date before they can be removed.
Get Powerful Representation After DUI Charges in Maryland
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling criminal law cases in all of our state’s court systems. Since each of our lawyers is authorized to practice law statewide, we often represent clients facing DUI charges from the following areas:
- Baltimore City
- Baltimore County
- Glen Burnie
- Rockville
- Columbia
- Hagerstown
- Greenbelt
- Montgomery County
- Harford County
- Howard County
- Prince George’s County
- Anne Arundel County
Our attorneys are ready to defend you in a Maryland district court or circuit court. We offer legal advocacy to protect our clients from lifelong adverse consequences associated with a DUI conviction.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a DUI Lawyer in Baltimore?
If you’re facing DUI charges in Baltimore, you might be worried about the potential costs associated with legal representation. While these costs can put a financial burden on you, think of hiring an attorney as an investment in your future.
For a first-time DUI offense, most legal fees fall within the range of $1,500 to $3,000. Keep in mind that these fees may or may not include representation at an MVA (Motor Vehicle Administration) hearing.
If you’re dealing with a second DUI offense, the cost increases. Lawyers may charge between $2,500 and $4,000 for their services.
For repeat DUI offenses (third or subsequent), legal fees tend to be higher. You might expect to pay $4,000 or more for legal representation.
Remember that these estimates are approximate. All lawyers may have varying fee structures. If you are worried about the costs, remember that we offer a free initial consultation to help you understand your options and potential expenses associated with your case.
Defense Strategies Applicable in Baltimore DUI Cases
Without a deep understanding of the laws that apply to DUI cases in Baltimore County and Maryland, it’s impossible to identify the violations, errors, or mistakes that may be present in the way your case was handled. We’ll analyze the records of your traffic stop and arrest to pinpoint any gaps that may be used in your criminal defense.
Based on the answers to questions like the ones below, your Baltimore DUI lawyer may employ one or more technical defense strategies to help you defend your rights in a DUI/DWI case.
Who Was in Control of the Vehicle?
A court must determine whether the accused was in “actual physical control” of the vehicle. Courts in Maryland generally look to the six factors established in the 1992 Atkinson v. Maryland case:
- Whether or not the vehicle’s engine is running or the ignition on
- Where and in what position the person is found in the vehicle
- Whether the person is awake or asleep
- Where the vehicle’s ignition key is located
- Whether the vehicle’s headlights are on
- Whether the vehicle is located in the roadway or is legally parked
One of these factors alone is not sufficient to make a judgment regarding whether the defendant was in actual physical control of the vehicle—all factors must be given consideration. Your Baltimore DUI attorney may be able to craft a defense proving that you were not in actual physical control of the vehicle at the time you were arrested on drunk or drugged driving charges.
Other Questions Criminal Defense Attorneys Handling Drunk Driving Cases Ask
Aside from asking who was driving your car when law enforcement stopped you, you can expect your attorney to also inquire about the following or independently investigate if:
- Did a police officer make an unlawful stop?
- Were field sobriety tests administered lawfully and equipment properly maintained?
- Was the breathalyzer certified?
- Did the police have legal grounds to ask you to perform a test?
- Were you read your Miranda rights at the time of your arrest?
- Did the police commit any other errors during your arrest or at the police station?
Call the DUI Lawyers Who Advocate for Baltimore Residents
After a drugged or drunk driving arrest in Baltimore, MD, you know your first step should be to build an attorney-client relationship with a lawyer you can trust. At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we offer the representation you need. We are members of the Maryland State Bar Association and have built a reputation as top defense lawyers in our state.
Don’t wait. Contact us today to discuss your case with a top Baltimore DUI lawyer.
