Greenbelt DUI Defense Attorney

Skilled Lawyers Representing Clients for DUI in Greenbelt, MD

The ramifications of a DUI conviction in Maryland can disrupt your life for a long time. You could face a prison sentence lasting months to years; you could be fined thousands of dollars; and you will almost certainly lose your driving privileges for the foreseeable future. All of these punishments can contribute to a downward spiral, depriving you of work and affecting your day-to-day life until you can get your license back. If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Greenbelt, DUI defense attorney can protect your best interests during criminal proceedings. When you work with Salvado Law Offices, our lawyers will bring full knowledge of the law to defend your innocence in court, as we keep you informed of your rights at every juncture.

First-Time DUI Offenses

Maryland law treats first-time DUI charges less seriously than repeat offenders, but a conviction can still come with harsh repercussions. If you are convicted of a first DUI offense, you could be jailed for up to a year and be fined up to $1,000, along with a six-month suspension of your license. In most cases, a judge is unlikely to sentence a first offender to time in jail, but the judge can still exercise that authority if the circumstances behind the arrest call for it.

After a conviction, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). This device monitors alcohol on your breath and will not start unless you blow under the legal limit: drivers are financially responsible for this device's installation and maintenance, which can prove to be quite expensive.

Blood Alcohol Content and Sentencing

The severity of a DUI charge often depends on your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the arrest. BAC can be measured through blood or breath testing, and the legal limit is .08%: at that percentage or above, you can be charged with DUI per se, which means your blood alcohol content alone can be used to convict you. If you refuse to submit to blood or breath testing at a police station, your license could be suspended for longer than if you had submitted to the test, but it could also give the prosecution less direct evidence against you. In addition, refusing a chemical test can also come with a mandatory IID installation in your vehicle for a year.

If a police officer determines that you are driving drunk, but finds that you are below the legal limit, you could still be charged with driving while impaired (DWI), a less serious offense. On a conviction, you could be jailed for 60 days and fined $500, along with a license suspension for no more than six months.

Maryland's Point System

Separate from the legal consequences of a DUI, you could also have points added to your driving record by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration for DWI and DUI. These points come with every traffic infraction, with minor offenses like speeding or failure to yield only counting as one point each. A conviction of DWI is worth eight points, which will result in suspension, and a DUI incurs 12 points, which will result in immediate revocation; you can contest the revocation at an MVA hearing or request an IID to avoid revocation.

Contact a Greenbelt, MD DUI Lawyer Today

A DUI conviction can be a massive burden to shoulder, with real consequences for your employment and daily transportation. A Greenbelt lawyer at Salvado Law Offices can provide you with a strong defense, challenging the methods used to charge you and bringing all the evidence into question. To schedule a free consultation, contact us at 301-933-1814 today.