Prince George’s County Third Offense DUI Lawyer
As opposed to first and second DUI charges, a third-offense DUI is going to be treated very aggressively and a significant period of incarceration is likely going to be imposed. A third-offense DUI charge carries up to three years’ incarceration instead of just one on a first offense or two years on a second offense.
Therefore, it can be critical to speak with a Prince George’s County third offense DUI lawyer about how to defend your third charge. A capable driving under the influence attorney can help you fight for your rights after multiple DUI accusations.
Expected Treatment of Multiple DUI Charges
On a tertiary offense, a Prince George’s County third offense DUI lawyer may suggest an in-patient residential alcohol treatment may likely be appropriate in order to minimize a person’s exposure to incarceration. The associated penalties will depend on how recently the two priors occurred because there are certain options that may be available depending on when the prior offenses occurred as well as the blood alcohol content or whether someone refused. There are things that can be done to have someone retain their license.
On a third-offense DUI, one may implicate what is called a medical advisory board, or MAB. If they get involved, they can call in a more extended restriction or suspension of someone’s license or additional requirements to the extent of interlock if the person wants to keep driving because they are considered a much more serious threat on the roadways.
Cases Involving Minors
If minors are in the vehicle driving the car and then get pulled over for a DUI charge, that is an additional charge that can carry additional incarceration. It is seen differently because it is one thing to put oneself and those in the roadway at risk but it if it is a minor, a person is responsible for their well-being. A Prince George’s County third offense DUI lawyer knows it is difficult to prove that an adult was forced into a car. Whereas, a child cannot refuse to get in a car with an adult if the adult makes them go somewhere and intentionally puts them in harm’s way.
Challenging the Suspension of a License for a Third DUI Offense
When challenging the suspension of a license after a third-offense DUI charge, the options are far more limited. On a first-offense DUI, someone may have certain options available to them, restricted licenses or things of that nature. On a third offense, the options may be even further limited but it often really depends on the nature of the incident, such as whether there was a refusal or what the blood alcohol content was. Someone on a subsequent offense who blows a 0.09 may actually have more options than a person for a first offense who blew 0.16. There are a lot of factors that go into the equation.
Some of the penalty enhancements or aggravating factors for third-offense DUI charges in Prince George’s County include a subsequent offender enhancement, which increases the maximum penalty. Also, if it is a refusal, a person could be subject to additional incarceration just by virtue of refusing the breath test regardless of which offense it is.
Importance of Retaining an Attorney
A person facing a driving under the influence charges after previous charges should speak with a Prince George’s County third offense DUI lawyer. A local lawyer has the specific knowledge of how prosecutors and judges treat these very specific and delicate offenses. A lawyer will understand their preferences, what strategies do and do not work and what expectations to have leaving the courtroom. These are all things that only a local attorney will have the inside knowledge to understand and be able to communicate.