Is there a Special Punishment for Recurring DUI Offenses in Maryland?

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.