Wicomico County DUI Attorney

If you have received DUI or DWI charges in Wicomico County, Maryland, the consequences can be severe. In order to ensure that you go into the defense process with accurate information and aggressive advocacy, contact a Wicomico County DUI lawyer today. There are a number of services that a defense attorney in Wicomico County can offer to clients, both local and out-of-state, and the sooner the attorney can begin his or her investigation of your case, the better.

The following is a basic overview of Maryland DUI charges and policies, as well as what a Wicomico County DUI attorney can do to help clients.

Maryland DUI and DWI Standards

If you’re pulled over and asked to take a breathalyzer test – and it reveals a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08 or higher – the state of Maryland views your offense as a “driving under the influence of alcohol per se violation. [MD Code, Section 21-902(a)(2)]” In this state, there are five types of offenses involving drunk driving or driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other dangerous substances. The other four are:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol [MD Code, Section 21-902(a)(1)]
  • Driving while impaired by alcohol (this indicates a BAC of at least 0.07 but less than 0.08 [MD Code, Section 21-902(b)]
  • Driving while impaired by drugs or drugs & alcohol [MD Code, Section 21-902(c)] and
  • Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance [MD Code, Section 21-902(d)].

Fortunately, there are a number of defenses that may be available to challenge the accuracy of the breath test results in your case. Speak with a Wicomico County DUI lawyer to learn more about which chemical test defenses may be available to you.

Additional Facts Regarding Maryland’s Alcohol/Drug Charges Tied to Driving a Vehicle

  • If you have a restriction on your driver’s license because you’re under the age of 21 or have been cited for a prior DUI or DWI in this state (and you’re pulled over, and a test shows your BAC is 0.02 or higher), your Wicomico DUI Lawyer will tell you that you’ve provided the police with prima facie evidence that you were driving a motor vehicle with alcohol in your system. In other words, you’ve violated the alcohol restriction on your license and will likely face some type of fine and/or other punishment for your offense.
  • Driving with a minor in your car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Like many other states, Maryland greatly frowns upon anyone who has a minor in the car while driving under the influence. Your Wicomico DUI Lawyer can explain the serious consequences of this act to you [Section 21-902 (a) (3)].
  • Distinctions in Maryland law made between “drugs” and “controlled dangerous substances.” The latter term refers to “Schedule I through Schedule V controlled substances,” while “drugs” are simply any substances other than alcohol that are “not included in the federal DEA and FDA’s controlled substance Schedules I through V.
  • If there’s no restriction on your license, you’re in good shape if your BAC tests below 0.05. This result should increase your Wicomico DUI lawyer’s chances of proving your innocence of any charges regarding alcohol impairment. This test result means that there is a presumption that you were not impaired by alcohol or under the influence.

Possible Consequences of Being Convicted of DUI or DWI in Maryland

  • First offense. If you’re convicted of DUI, you could be required to spend up to one year in jail or pay a fine of up to $1,000.
  • First offense, with a minor in the car. Although you’ll need a knowledgeable Wicomico DUI County lawyer for any DUI or DWI charge brought against you, this type is especially serious. If convicted, you might have to spend up to two years in prison and/or pay a fine of up to $2,000. [Section 27-101 (q) (1)(i)].
  • If you have committed one or more prior DUI or DWI offenses in Maryland. You will not only need the immediate help of a Wicomico DUI County lawyer but you will also need to inquire about the specific penalties you may face – especially if you had one or more minors in the car at the time of your offense. For example, if you had two prior drunk-driving related offenses, and at least one minor was riding in the car when you were pulled over for a third infraction, you may have to spend up to four years in prison and pay a fine up to $4,000. [Section 27-101 (q) (1) (iii)].
  • Mandatory penalties. These nearly always involve lengthy incarcerations and large fines. For example, if you had two prior DUI convictions within the past five years, a judge can sentence you to an additional mandatory minimum of five days in jail. This is only one of the many mandatory penalties you may face, so be sure to ask your attorney what other punishments may apply to your case.

Local Courthouses

Should you need to visit the Wicomico County District Court, it’s located at 201 Baptist Street in Salisbury. The Wicomico County Circuit court is also in Salisbury and can be found at 100 North Division Street.