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Experienced Representation From A Baltimore DUI Lawyer
In Maryland, a DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, arrest means you are alleged to have operated a vehicle while significantly impaired by alcohol or other mind-altering substance. On the other hand, a DWI, or Driving While Impaired, arrest means you are alleged to have lost some level of coordination due to alcohol or other drugs. As a result, DUI convictions carry longer sentences and higher fines than DWI convictions. However, both are serious criminal charges in Maryland. If you, or a loved one, has been charged with DUI, you need an experienced Baltimore DUI lawyer to protect your rights and ensure a fair outcome.
It is vital that you contact a Baltimore DUI attorney immediately after a DUI arrest. If you failed a breathalyzer test (i.e. a BAC of .08 or higher) or refused the breathalyzer test, you may lose your ability to drive while your case is pending. You must request a review hearing within 10 days of your arrest, or your license could be suspended, even before a verdict. Further, Maryland law allows for up to one year in jail, a $1000 fine, suspension of driver’s license, and up to 12 points on your driving record for a first-time DUI offense. If transporting a minor while driving under the influence, you could face additional jail time. Penalties also increase after your first offense. Contacting a Baltimore DUI lawyer directly after your DUI arrest will drastically improve your ability to avoid the harshest penalties.
DUI Penalties In Maryland
Like other states, Maryland considers DUI and DWI offenses as serious crimes. If convicted of a DUI or DWI charge, you could be facing punishments ranging from monetary fines to jail time. Not to mention, the negative impact a DUI or DWI can have on your personal and professional life can be devastating. In Maryland, a DUI is classified by a BAC above .08 percent, while a DWI is classified by a BAC of .06 to .07 percent. Detailed below you’ll find the common penalties associated with first, second, and third DUI charges in Maryland. To better understand how these penalties are determined and how they relate to your DUI case, contact our skilled DUI defense attorneys at Hyatt & Goldbloom right away.
First DUI Offense In Maryland
A first DUI offense in Maryland includes a driver’s license suspension. However, if you’re not properly represented by a DUI lawyer in Baltimore then there could also be a maximum fine of $1,000, imprisonment for up to one year, and 12 points added to your driver’s license. Contrary to common belief, your first DUI offense is not a slap on the wrist, you could do jail time depending on the circumstances of your case.
Second DUI Offense In Maryland
A second DUI offense in Maryland also leads to a driver’s license suspension. Additionally, if enhanced penalties are requested by the State’s Attorney’s Office, then the potential fine and jail time escalates to $2,000 and two years. Depending on the circumstances of your last DUI conviction, you could also be subject to a minimum of five days of incarceration.
Third DUI Offense In Maryland
A third DUI offense in Maryland is a very serious matter and without skilled legal representation, could cost you more than you might think. Penalties for a third-time DUI in Maryland can include up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to $3,000, 12 points may be assessed with the MVA, and your driver’s license may be revoked.
Defenses to DUI Charges in Maryland
There are several technical defenses to DUI charges in Maryland. An experienced attorney will look for procedural and evidentiary violations by law enforcement involved in the DUI arrest. Moreover, these errors would likely go unnoticed by someone without a thorough understanding of the related DUI laws and regulations. For this reason, it is extremely important that you contact a Baltimore DUI lawyer right after a DUI arrest. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to spot one of these defenses if present, which can provide grounds for dismissal of DUI charges in Maryland.
An Unlawful Stop
Police must have proper grounds to make an initial traffic stop. If the police officer did not have a reasonable articulable suspicion that you were committing a crime or traffic violation when he or she pulled you over, then the stop was illegal and the resulting arrest unlawful. A Baltimore DUI lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom will request the police report and body/dash camera footage, to determine whether you violated a traffic law or exhibited other behavior that would justify the traffic stop.
Improper Field Sobriety Test
There are multiple ways to attack the validity of Maryland Field Sobriety Tests. The police may not have had legal grounds to ask you to perform the test. There can also be environmental factors that jeopardize the test’s validity. Most notably, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets regulations for the Field Sobriety Tests, which police must follow for the test to be valid.
Improper Breathalyzer Test
An experienced Baltimore DUI attorney may be able to challenge how the test was administered, the accuracy of its results, whether the particular equipment functioned properly, whether the breathalyzer was certified, or whether the equipment underwent proper maintenance.
Police Failed to Read Miranda Rights
If you were not read your Miranda Rights at the time of arrest, then anything you said after the arrest or while in custody will not be admissible.
Successfully establishing one of these defenses can provide grounds for dismissal of DUI charges in Maryland, or otherwise disqualify evidence that the prosecution needs to prove their case. It is not uncommon for police to get careless and commit one of these mistakes during an arrest. The Baltimore DUI lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom have successfully argued these defenses for countless past clients. We will diligently review your arrest records to determine if grounds for one of these defenses exist and act accordingly in your best interest.
Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) For A Baltimore DUI Charge
Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) is a benefit offered to first-time offenders of certain Maryland crimes. Receiving a PBJ in Maryland means you are being placed on probation prior to a judgment being entered in your case. This is significant because if a judgment is not entered in your case, you will never have been found guilty of the DUI charge.
PBJs are generally available to first-time DUI offenders, although other circumstances of the arrest will be considered. If you are offered a PBJ, you must adhere to the terms of the probation for the designated period. This is a valuable opportunity for first-time offenders, allowing them to avoid many of the consequences associated with a conviction. So long as you successfully complete the PBJ period, you will NOT have to: report the conviction on employment documents, get points added to your driving record, have your insurance premiums increased.
The opportunity to get a PBJ is a major reason first-time DUI offenders hire a qualified Baltimore DUI defense lawyer. Successful criminal defense attorneys have experience working with prosecutors to negotiate PBJs for eligible clients. The Baltimore DUI lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom have over 30 years of experience working with State’s Attorney’s Offices throughout Maryland’s jurisdictions. We always attempt to negotiate PBJs for our eligible clients. If this is your first DUI offense in Maryland, call Hyatt & Goldbloom today to discuss your PBJ options.
Cost of a DUI Conviction in Maryland
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI charge in Maryland, you can expect to pay numerous fees and penalties that can add up to an alarming amount. Potential costs include court fees, lawyer fees, interlock installation, alcohol education classes, and more. If ordered by the Maryland courts, you will have to pay for DUI education classes if convicted of a DUI charge. If you have your license suspended, you will likely have to pay reinstatement fees. You can also expect to pay higher insurance premiums after you’re arrested for a DUI charge in Maryland. A DUI conviction will mark you as a high-risk motorist, resulting in higher car insurance premiums.
A DUI can cost you more than just money. You may find that it interferes with your future education prospects. Some colleges frown upon accepting students with a DUI conviction on their records. You may also find that it interferes with future job opportunities. If convicted of a DUI charge in Maryland, you can expect to have to checkboxes on a job application related to felony convictions.
The financial consequences of a DUI are enough as it is, but DUI charges can also damage your reputation and how others view you. There is a widespread stigma for drunk driving in Maryland. It’s common for those convicted of a DUI to feel that the people in their lives have lost faith in them. That’s why it’s vital to speak with a strong Baltimore DUI lawyer immediately after the incident. If there is an opportunity to have DUI charges dropped or expunged from your criminal record, the attorneys at Hyatt & Goldbloom will do all that they can for you to make that happen. We understand how devastating a DUI or DWI charge can be, that’s why we work so hard for our clients to make sure their life is not permanently affected.
Baltimore DUI Charge And Court Certified Alcohol Education And/Or Treatment
Under Maryland law, if you are convicted of a DUI, then alcohol education and/or treatment is required unless the judge finds it unnecessary. Maryland judges will almost always require at least some type of alcohol education course following a DUI conviction. Courts consider these requirements a matter of public safety to help lower risks of continued drunk driving.
In general, you should never wait for a judge to order alcohol education or treatment. If you will be going to trial or be in front of a judge for any reason, you should complete the applicable program and submit your certifications ahead of time. (Note, there are also other times when completing a program will be beneficial. Call us to learn more.) The Baltimore DUI lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom can help you schedule the correct alcohol program and ensure you complete your certification prior to any trial or hearing.
Speak With An Experienced Baltimore DUI Lawyer Today
The Maryland DUI lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom know how to assess the unique facts of each impaired driving case. Your lawyer will perform an analysis of the initial traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and other mitigating factors. While we understand the seriousness of this crime, we also understand that one lapse in judgment does not define you.
As your lawyers, our job is to require the State to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. We will attack any procedural, evidentiary, or otherwise relevant gaps in the prosecution’s case. If there is any defense in your favor or argument against the State, we will persuasively raise it on your behalf. Alternatively, if there are other options, such as a PBJ, our legal team will use its resources to help obtain the most beneficial outcome.
Hyatt & Goldbloom will always fight to protect its clients’ best interests. For a free consultation regarding your Maryland DUI charge, please call us at (410) 385-3180 right away. During your consultation, we can explain the potential consequences you may be facing and how our Baltimore DUI lawyers can help.