In Maryland, any driver who chooses to drive while under the influence gives implied consent, which’s ruling allows law enforcement officers the right to perform chemical testing. Any refusal to submit to testing incurs additional criminal charges. A DUI lawyer in Cambridge, MD defends drivers accused of driving under the influence.
What Constitutes a DUI?
In Maryland, DUI charges are defined by a blood-alcohol reading of at least 0.08 percent. Officers have the right to arrest any driver they suspect is driving under the influence. They may perform field sobriety tests including the administration of a breathalyzer, which is used to identify the blood-alcohol reading.
What Are the Penalties for a First Offense?
The first offense for DUI begins with a license suspension for no longer than six months. The fine for this infraction is $1,000. The accused faces a jail sentence that won’t exceed one year. The driver incurs no less than twelve points on their driving record.
What Are the Penalties for a Second Offense?
The second offense incurs a one-year driver’s license suspension. The state requires these drivers to install an ignition interlocking device into their vehicle. The fine for this infraction is $2,000, and the prison sentence begins with five days and won’t exceed two years. These drivers incur an additional twelve points on their driving records. The state also requires alcohol abuse treatment approved by the court.
Defining Driving While Intoxicated
Driving while intoxicated is a reduced charge. The driver is guilty if they have a blood-alcohol reading of 0.07 percent. The penalty for the first offense is a sixty-day driver’s license suspension, long with a fine of $500. The driver receives a jail sentence of no more than two months, as well as eight points on their driving record.
In Maryland, the blood-alcohol content reading defines a DUI or DWI. The state can increase these charges based on the circumstances of their arrest. These circumstances include the presence of a minor, additional traffic violations, and the influence of controlled substances. Drivers who are facing these charges should hire a DUI lawyer in Cambridge, MD by visiting Domain for more details.
