Bowie DUI Lawyer | What Can They Do for You?
Getting a DWI or DUI charges can be scary for most people. Most people don't expect to be charged with driving under the influence of any substance at all; however, they must be prepared to face criminal charges even when they feel sober.
Keep in mind that anyone facing DUI charges in Bowie is vulnerable to legal consequences and administrative licenses suspension under Maryland law. In these cases, the best thing to do is to hire a criminal defense attorney.
DUI and DWI attorneys are trained to help their clients understand their rights and responsibilities as drivers in Bowie, MD, as well as fighting and avoiding a DUI conviction whenever possible. Drunk driving is illegal in Maryland and any other state in the U.S.; however, it may be possible for a Bowie DUI defense attorney to overcome the State's case or reduce the criminal penalties a person gets.
Our DUI lawyers are ready to help with any type of DUI case you may have on your hands. If you're facing these charges, you may contact our law offices for more information on your case. The following page contains more information on what DUI and DWI lawyers can do for you.
What Is a DUI?
A DUI (also known as 'Driving Under the Influence charge') is a criminal offense where a person drives or operates any kind of vehicle while they're under the influence of any drugs or alcoholic substances. Overall, these substances can render the person incapable of driving these vehicles safely, putting themselves and any other thing nearby at risk.
It's important to note that a person doesn't have to be actively driving a vehicle when approached by a police officer to get a MD DUI. The State must prove a person is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence.
Are DUIs the Same as DWIs?
DUIs and DWIs share some of the same elements, but they are two different criminal charges in Maryland. A DWI stands for "Driving While Impaired" Here, the person's normal motor function is "impaired" by consuming alcohol or drugs. A DUI, by contrast, requires the State to show substantial impairment of a person's normal motor function as a result of alcohol or drugs.
Blood-Alcohol Content
The Maryland Motor Vehicle administration measures whether residents may lose their licenses for DUIs or DWIs through their Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) taken by an intoximeter. In Maryland, the BAC limit for a commercial motor vehicle driver is .04% for people over 21 years old. As for underage people, the BAC limit is .02%.
Finally, the general limit for Maryland drivers is .08%. If you're found to have .08% of BAC or higher in your body, you're considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol perse, so the state doesn't have to provide any other kind of evidence that shows you were drunk other than admitting a breath alcohol result.
In cases where the a person refuses a breath alcohol test,
prosecutors must rely on other pieces of evidence, such as field sobriety tests, statements of defendants, body worn camera, witness statements, and the presence of alcohol in a vehicle.
What Are Some Common Penalties for DUIs in Bowie, Maryland?
The penalties for those charged with a DUI can vary depending on prior convictions.
F Some of these penalties include getting an Ignition Interlock Device, getting stripped of your driving privileges, getting a strike on your driving record, or even serving jail time.
It's also vital to note that DUIs come with hefty fines, so hiring attorneys for this job is likely the best course of action you can take.
Here's a list of the most common criminal and administrative penalties people can face based on a intoximeter result:
First Offense DUI
A first offense is always going to be softer on the person. In some cases, a good attorney may be able to even get the charge dropped to a payable traffic citation, which ensures there is no possibility of jail time.
Overall, you can get up to one year in jail and fines that go up to $1,000 for a DUI. In the case of a DWI, you may get a lower sentence of up to two months in jail and $500 in fines.
Second Offense DUI
A second offense DUI can get land you up to two years of jail, as well as up to $2,000 in administrative fees.
In the case of DWIs, the second (or any other subsequent offense) can give the person up to one year in jail and up to $500 in fines.
Third Offense DUI
Finally, the third offense with a DUI can get you up to three years in jail and up to $3,000 in fines.
What Happens if There Were Kids in the Vehicle While You Got Charged?
Logically, if you were had children in your vehicle while you were driving under the influence, you can be exposed to higher fines and jail time since you were exposing them to the same risks you were exposing yourself to.
Administrative Penalties
As a general rule, a DUI conviction can give you up to 12 points on your driving record. Keep in mind that getting from eight to 11 points in your record can make the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) revoke your driver's license or suspend your drivers license. Moreover, it can take up to two years to take those points off your record.
Other Penalties
There are other DUI consequences that you must be aware of. Here's a list of some of the most common ones:
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Alcohol abuse treatment programs
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Insurance policy consequences
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Community service
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Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device
How Does Implied Consent Apply in Maryland?
Maryland drivers must know that the state currently has a law regarding taking chemical tests to look for intoxication levels. This law is known as the "Implied Consent Law." Here, if you refuse to take a chemical test from approved law enforcement agencies, you can get an automatic license suspension, and a requirement that you enroll in the ignition interlock program.
Regardless of the case you were involved in, may not be in your best interests to comply with the authorities requests during a DUI investigation. In DUI Accident cases a person's actions could land them in serious troble. Still, you can contact our attorneys to get more information on how you can go through those cases in Maryland.
What Can a Bowie DUI Defense Attorney Do for You? | Call Our Criminal Defense Attorney Law Offices Today!
Overall, our attorneys can help you in each step of your DUI or DWI case. Our goal is to create a solid attorney-client relationship so that we can achieve the best outcome possible for your case.
Some of the things we can help you with include:
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Investigating your case
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Gathering as much evidence as possible
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Talking to the appropriate authorities and witnesses
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Challenging BAC levels taken without approved specialists
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Letting you understand your rights and responsibilities as a Bowie citizen
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Representing you in court
If you want to get started with your DUI case, you can schedule a free consultation with our legal experts today!