Carroll County MVA Hearing Lawyer

Driving is a privilege, rather than a right, of licensed drivers. A Carroll County MVA hearing lawyer can make sure you keep that privilege.  When traffic laws are violated, one’s driving privileges may be restricted, suspended, or even revoked.  In Carroll County, when serious violations such as DUI take place on the roadways, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has the authority to take action. If your facing serious DUI or traffic charges in Carroll County, an experienced Carroll County DUI attorney can guide your through the MVA hearing process.

If you have been arrested for a Maryland DUI, you need immediate legal help.  The processes, procedures, and penalties involved within a Maryland DUI case that lie ahead, including an MVA hearing, are serious matters best left to a legal professional.  A Caroll County MVA hearing attorney, you will secure an advocate who can provide you with legal advice and representation.  There are many facets and complexities involved with in a Maryland MVA hearing.

 

What Follows a DUI Arrest?

If you are stopped by law enforcement and suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol, you will likely be asked to submit to a breath alcohol test.  If this test indicates that you are legally intoxicated by registering a blood alcohol content equivalent of 0.08 percent or greater, your driver’s license will be confiscated and you will be issued an Order of Suspension.

At any time within the 30 days following the Order of Suspension, you have the right to request and administrative hearing to contest your license suspension.  To prevent suspension of your license until the time of your hearing, however, you must act within 10 days of the date of the Order of Suspension to be allotted temporary driving privileges until the hearing is held.  If you fail to submit a written request within this 10-day time period, your license will remain under suspension until your case is resolved.  Do not hesitate to submit your written request to the Office of Administrative Hearings at 11101 Gilroy Road, Hunt Valley, Maryland, 21031-1301.

The Office of Administrative Hearings will notify you of your hearing via mail within approximately 4 to 6 weeks of your request.  Your hearing notification will provide you with the specific location, date, and time of your hearing.

At your hearing, it is best to allow a Carroll County MVA hearing lawyer to advocate on your behalf.  Because timing is critical in the course of events that follow a DUI arrest, it is best to contact an MVA hearing attorney as soon as possible to be certain that you make no missteps or fail to meet deadlines throughout this legal process.  Call our law offices today to secure proficient legal counsel.

Maryland DUI Administrative Penalties

Separate from the DUI penalties imposed by Maryland’s criminal court system are the administrative penalties for driving under the influence.  In addition to the fines and incarceration that accompany a conviction, a DUI defendant faces the loss of driving privileges with or without a courtroom conviction.

The MVA has established administrative license suspension which varies in term length based upon BAC at the time of arrest, the number of prior alcohol-related driving offenses, and similar factors.

Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08 percent to less than 0.15 percent

  • Suspension term of 45 days with allowable modifications for a first offense
  • Suspension term of 90 days for a second or subsequent offense

Blood Alcohol Content greater than 0.15 percent

  • Suspension term of 90 days for a first offense
  • Suspension term of 180 days for a second or subsequent offense

Refusal to Submit to Testing

  • Suspension term of 270 days for a first offense
  • Suspension term of 1 year (12 months) for a second or subsequent offense

With the exception of a first time offense with a BAC below 0.15 percent, the only circumstance under which the MVA will allow for a modification of the suspension is through the offender’s willingness to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program for a full year.  The administrative law judge (ALJ) has the authority to determine whether or not to make this option available to an offender.

Find a Carroll County MVA Hearing Lawyer

For aggressive and experienced legal representation at your MVA hearing, contact our Maryland law offices today. In addition to the MVA hearings, our attorneys also provide DUI defense in Carroll County and can represent you in your criminal proceedings.

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