While being charged with drunk driving does not guarantee that you will be convicted and face penalties, it does mean that you should be aware of your defense options. Also, you should fully understand the penalties you could face. If a person has a recurring history of DUI offenses in Maryland, the severity of the penalties may increase, making it critical to present a timely and aggressive defense.
Repeated Offender Penalties
if a person has a previous DUI record for the previous five years, they may face harsher penalties in Maryland. A first-time offender faces up to a year in jail, a $1000 fine, and a suspended driver’s license, whereas a repeat offender faces several years in prison. For example, two DUIs within five years could result in two years in prison. However, if a person receives a third conviction, considered the third strike, they may face up to 5 years in prison. Furthermore, if a person faces a fourth DUI charge, they could face up to ten years in prison.
DUI (driving under the influence) vs. DWI (driving while intoxicated) in Maryland
DWI and DUI are both charges that the state of Maryland can bring against someone accused of driving while intoxicated. A repeat offender faces far harsher penalties, as the maximum jail sentence for DUI with one prior conviction is two years. Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.07% or higher will face impaired driving charges under Maryland law (DWI). A person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher will face driving charges (DUI). DUI charges are thus the more serious of the two. While prosecutors may simultaneously charge a defendant with DUI and DWI, only one of these charges is possible.
In conclusion, defendants convicted of DWI, on the other hand, may not face conviction of DUI because the elements of DWI fall short of those of DUI. DUI offenses in Maryland are, thus, essentially a more serious DWI.
Arrests On The Eastern Shore Of Maryland The eastern shore of Maryland is known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant communities but the Eastern Shore of Maryland also has a fair share of criminal activity. Some believe that this is due in part to its proximity to major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., […]
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Proving That You Are Guilty In Maryland, prosecutors have the burden of proof in criminal cases. They must prove certain elements of a crime and if they fail to do so well, the case could end with a dismissal or a reduced charge. In burglary cases, three elements must be proven by prosecutors and an […]
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DUI Lawyers In Wicomico County, Maryland The DUI laws in Maryland are pretty straightforward, but there can be a lot of factors surrounding a DUI charge. Although a DUI is a criminal offense, DUI charges are brought against you by the state and not by your victim or anyone else that was harmed as […]
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Maryland Marijuana Laws & How They Affect You The laws on marijuana possession are changing. Marijuana was once illegal throughout the entire United States, regardless of state or local law. However, since 1996, 20 states have passed legislation removing state-level criminal penalties for either medical use, small-time recreational use, or both. Lately, there has been […]
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Felony Vs Misdemeanors Felony and misdemeanor offenses are two different offenses that attract other punishments or charges. However, they both belong to the criminal offense category in Maryland. It is essential to understand what crime you commit, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor. Then based on that information, you can consult a lawyer to […]
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5 Reasons You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer When Charged with Criminal Offense A criminal defense lawyer knows the correct protocol to follow when charged with a criminal offense. Contrary to popular opinion, you will spend less when you hire a defense lawyer than losing the case. Here, we shall discuss several other five reasons […]
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Not all criminal offenses are treated the same and if you’ve been charged with any kind of crime, it’s important to understand the differences between them and potential defenses for each. Below is a breakdown of the five different types of criminal offenses and what you can expect when you reach out to an attorney […]
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Even if you’ve never been to court before, you’ve likely watched a television show or movie where a criminal defense lawyer stood up during trial and shouted “Objection, your honor!” While entertaining in the aforementioned context, it’s important to understand objections, how they work, and under what circumstances attorneys can and do raise objections. What […]
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Probation is a potential penalty for defendants who have been convicted and found guilty of the crime they were accused of. Unsupervised probation is one type that may be imposed. Here’s what it is, what to consider, and how to get legal support after you’ve been charged with a criminal offense. What Is Unsupervised Probation? […]
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