Frederick County Driving While Impaired Lawyer

If you are facing alcohol-related driving charges, a Frederick County driving while impaired lawyer can give you the assistance you desperately need at this time. Facing these charges can be an overwhelming and painful experience and causes a lot of stress in your life. Having legal counsel from a Frederick County Driving While Impaired lawyer will relieve a portion of your stress by helping you to get the least severe penalty possible for your charges. When faced with this kind of situation in your life, it is so important to have the best advocate possible to defend your position. A DUI attorney in Frederick County knows the pressure you are under and is committed to helping you.

Frederick County

Frederick County still places public safety as a top priority and promotes responsible driving. The long-standing history and manufacturing of alcohol do not mean that the authorities will overlook a breach of the law when it comes to DWIs. However, having a Frederick County Driving While Impaired lawyer defend you in court may help lessen the consequences you face or get your case dismissed altogether.

Driving While Impaired Defined

It is important for motorists to understand that a driving while impaired charge is different from driving under the influence. Operating a vehicle under the “influence” means that a person’s normal balance, function, and coordination is substantially impaired by alcohol or some other controlled dangerous substance. To be convicted of this offense, a blood alcohol test needs to read above 0.08. The charge carries a $1,000 fine, 12 points on a driver’s license, and up to a year of incarceration.

Meanwhile, a driving while impaired charge refers to testing in a lower threshold. If someone takes a breath test and scores between 0.05 and 0.079 blood alcohol content, they could be charged with driving while impaired. These regulations aim to prevent people who are affected by a substance in any way, even slightly, from operating their vehicles and endangering others.

The consequences for driving while impaired in Frederick County are still quite steep, although lower than driving under the influence. On conviction, it carries up to 60 days incarceration, 8 points, and up to a $500 fine. Therefore, it is best for anyone arrested for this offense to seek legal representation as soon as they can.

If a breath test is refused, an individual can still be charged with driving while impaired or under the influence, although that will depend on other factors and observations by law enforcement that the State could rely on.

Charges for DWI in Frederick County

Charges for DWI in Maryland are divided into two categories: Those that are incurred from driving while impaired by alcohol or a combination of alcohol and drugs, and those that from driving while impaired by controlled dangerous substances. The sentences for DWI by controlled dangerous substances have longer incarcerations and greater fines. First offenses for these violations usually carry a lighter sentence than subsequent charges, but DWIs that occur with a minor in the vehicle usually carry a heavier sentence.

  • Driving while impaired by alcohol and any combination of alcohol and drugs carries these penalties:
    • First offense—Up to two months in jail and up to a $500 fine
    • Successive offenses—Up to one year in jail and up to a $500 fine
    • First offense with a minor in the vehicle—Up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine
    • Second offenses involving a minor in the vehicle—Up to one year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine
    • Third offense if a minor is in the vehicle—Up to four years in prison and up to a $4,000 fine
  • Driving while impaired by other controlled dangerous substances carries these penalties:
    • First offense—Up to one year of jail time and up to a $1,000 fine
    • Second offense—Up to two years of prison time and up to a $2,000 fine
    • Third offense—Up to three years in prison and up to a $3,000 fine
    • First offense if a minor is in the vehicle—Up to two years in prison and up to a $2,000 fine
    • Second offense if a minor is in the vehicle—Up to three years in prison and up to a $3,000 fine
    • Third offense if a minor is in the vehicle—Up to four years in prison and up to a $4,000 fine

DWIs involving minors are taken especially seriously. If you find yourself in any of these situations, a Frederick County Driving While Impaired lawyer may be able to help you get the least severe conviction possible under the circumstances.  These charges can profoundly impact your entire life. Your finances, job, and family will all be put under tremendous pressure by the possibility of incarceration and fines.

Finding a Frederick County DWI Lawyer

A Frederick County Driving While Impaired lawyer will understand that this is a very difficult time in your life. The stress of facing these kinds of charges is very overwhelming. Navigating these legal procedures and getting the least severe penalty possible is your top priority, and a Frederick County Driving While Impaired attorney can help you make the best decisions for your situation. Contact us today to discuss your specific situation confidentially and find out what your next best steps could be. Here is information on other traffic violations in Frederick.