Baltimore Ignition Interlock Program

An ignition interlock is a handheld breath testing device. It is usually attached under the steering column of an individual’s vehicle. The individual must blow into the ignition interlock every time they start the car and then randomly blow into the device while they are driving the car. If the individual blows alcohol into the machine, the machine stops the individual from being able to operate their motor vehicle until they can provide a sample that does not contain any alcohol. A Baltimore DUI lawyer can help challenge a Baltimore ignition interlock program order to install an ignition interlock device, or smooth out the process for a client.

When Ignition Interlock Devices are Used in Baltimore

There are two situations where an individual must have an ignition interlock device. The first is for a high blow situation where an individual blows a .15 BAC or higher. The suspension for the driver’s license on that is ninety days of no driving or one year of participation in the ignition interlock program.

The other situation is when an individual refused to cooperate in the completion of a Breathalyzer test. In that case individuals, choose between 270 days suspension of their license or one year participation in the ignition interlock program. There are occasionally circumstances where an individual is ordered by the court to install an ignition interlock device as a condition of their probation. Those are more rare than the administrative ignition interlock.

Generally, the device is in an individual’s car for one year. There may be exceptions, for example, if it is a court-ordered ignition interlock that may be for the entire period of probation. If an individual has probation for six months, the device is in the car for six months. If an individual has probation for three years, it is in the car for three years.

Installation is around $200 plus a monthly rental fee for the ignition interlock between $70 and $100 a month. There is also a fee for removing the device from the vehicle at the end of the lease.

Installing the Device to Get a Restricted License

If the case can’t be defeated at the office administrative hearing and the individual can’t find a way to live without a license for the period of their hard suspension, their only choice to continue driving is to install the ignition interlock device in their vehicle.

Other Alcohol Measuring Devices Used in Baltimore

Very rarely the court may order an individual to wear a SCRAM bracelet. This is a bracelet that measures alcohol content through the skin. It is extraordinarily rare in comparison to ignition interlock. For every thousand ignition interlock devices installed in Baltimore, there may be one case where an individual is ordered to wear a SCRAM bracelet.

How a Baltimore DUI Attorney Can Help

A Baltimore DUI attorney can challenge the administrative suspension of a license. If that challenge is successful; there would be no requirement for the installation of ignition interlock. Nobody wants to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. It is an extraordinarily embarrassing and unpleasant experience, so if there’s any way to beat the requirement to install the ignition interlock, everyone prefers that.

If an individual is required to have the interlock in their car, then a Baltimore DUI attorney can help the individual in selecting a provider for the device. There are some significant quality differences between the different providers, so it makes sense to talk to an attorney who has experience in this area of law prior to choosing who will install the ignition interlock device.