Maryland DUI Attorney - Drunk Driving Penalties for Offenders

In Maryland, driving while under the influence of alcohol is a very serious offense. If you are arrested for suspicion of DUI there will be two cases brought against you; a criminal case brought by the state of Maryland for your DUI and an attempt by the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend or revoke your driver's license.

What is the legal limit for intoxication in the state of Maryland? It is indeed .08 BAC (blood alcohol content). Even if your blood alcohol content is below .08 you could may still be arrested for DUI if an officer suspect you of reckless driving. In Maryland anyone under the age of 21 operating a vehicle with a .02 percent blood-alcohol level or higher are also subject to DUI penalties.

Your drivers license will be suspended or revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles as part of a DUI penalty. In Maryland, for the first DUI offense the mandatory suspension is 90 days; for the second offense it is one year and for the third offense it is three years. Keep in mind that Maryland is one of 45 states that participate in the Interstate Drivers License Compact. This means that if you are convicted of a DUI in Maryland, your information will be shared with the other 44 states.

Anyone arrested for DUI in the state of Maryland may face complicated criminal procedures. Therefore it is advised that you find a DUI attorney who is experienced in these types of cases to represent you.

Lawyers tend to specialize in trying certain types of cases. If your lawyer represents only DUI offenders, he or she is likely to know the laws very well, have access to technical experts, and have full knowledge of police procedures. If your lawyer takes on a wide variety of cases, both civil and criminal, then you are probably talking to a lawyer who does not specialize in DUI cases. Improper representation by a general practice attorney could result in the courts coming down very hard on you.

A reputable DUI lawyer will also settle the fees and expenditures in advance. When getting a contract down on paper, make sure you check if the fee covers charges for DMV hearings. Also, find out if the attorney is a member of the National College of DUI Defense. You can also get a rating on your prospective lawyer through the Martindale-Hubbell International Directory of Attorneys.

If you have been arrested for DUI in the state of Maryland using specialized DUI lawyer to represent you is the best step you can take for your successful defense.