Harford County DUI Attorney
In Harford County, and throughout Maryland, DUI charges are no joke. Work with a Harford County DUI lawyer from our firm to learn about your defense options when facing up against some serious DUI or DWI charges and penalties. Our defense attorneys are here to help you defend yourself.
For any resident of Harford County, being arrested and charged with a crime is one of the most difficult experiences one can be put through. When the crime you are being charged with is Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Impaired (DWI), the situation can be overwhelming. Driving an automobile is so important to the daily life of most Americans that we cannot even imagine how we would get through the day if our driving privileges are taken away. Even more disturbing is the fact that the loss of your drivers’ license is not the most serious possible consequence of a DWI/DUI charge. Depending upon the circumstances, you could be facing jail time and thousands of dollars in fines and court costs. The best thing you can do for yourself in this situation is to seek the informed counsel of an experienced defense attorney. Contact a Harford County DUI lawyer today for a free initial consultation.
This article will provide an overview of Maryland law regarding DWI/DUI and explain those offenses as well as the possible penalties you could face if convicted. It will also discuss Harford County’s DWI/DUI statistics. Finally, it will give you an overview of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) administrative hearing process, which determines whether you will lose your license. Here you can find more information on:
DWI v. DUI
You should understand the difference between a DWI and a DUI. Which offense you are charged with depends upon how much alcohol is in your system when you are arrested. The police will use various testing methods (usually by using your breath or blood) to determine your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
Under Maryland law, if your BAC is .08 or higher, you will be charged with DUI. The penalties for a first DUI conviction are severe: up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, automatic license suspension and possible vehicle impoundment. In addition, if your BAC is .15 or higher, you are subject to having an ignition interlock device installed in your car. This device prevents the car from starting if your BAC is too high. The penalties increase if you are convicted of a second or subsequent DWI or there are “aggravating factors” involved in your arrest. Aggravating factors include circumstances such as being involved in an accident, driving with children in the car, vehicular manslaughter, or driving under the influence of drugs.
If your BAC is between .07 and .079, you will face a DWI charge. First-time DWI offenders could be sentenced to up to two months in jail and fines up to $500, with repeat offenders (or offenders with aggravating circumstances) facing greater penalties.
Of course, these laws are complex and the best explanation is only available through the advice of a Harford County DUI lawyer.
Harford County MVA Info
In addition to the criminal charges that you will be facing in the court system, the Maryland MVA will also institute proceedings to suspend or revoke your drivers’ license. The process automatically starts when you are charged with a DWI/DUI offense and you typically only have a short period of time (30 days from date of arrest) to request a hearing on your suspension. If you request a hearing, you will be scheduled for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), as the Office of Administrative Hearings handles the hearing.
Retaining Legal Representation in Harford County
Being convicted of a DWI or DUI offense in Harford County can have serious consequences on your life. You should consider retaining an experienced Harford County DUI attorney to represent you through the process. No two DUI cases are identical, the attorneys with the Maryland Criminal Defense Group has experience defending clients against a wide variety of charges throughout the state of Maryland. They will be able to provide extensive advice on what strategies and defenses may be open to you. Call today for a free consultation on how he can build your defense.