Most states impose different penalties and punishments for DUI charges. In Maryland, there are two reasons that you can be arrested and possibly convicted for DUI. Unlike in most states where a BAC of .08% is the legal limit for a DUI arrest, the state of Maryland legislates lower level to count an arrest. That is, a person can be arrested for drunk driving if his blood alcohol content is .07% or higher. If the BAC shows a result running between .07% and .08%, the driver will be charged for DWI. Any value beyond .08% of BAC carries heavier penalties and punishments, which falls for DUI conviction. In addition to the BAC result, impaired driving is another ground for a DUI arrest.
DUI Arrests in Maryland
Once a police officer pulls you over for DUI suspicion, you are required to undergo a BAC test to determine the level of your alcohol toxicity. The result also determines what particular case will be filed against you. It can either be a DWI or a DUI, where the former carries more severe charges over the latter case. You can refuse to undergo the BAC test but your refusal will mean greater consequences once convicted. For anyone being arrested with drunk driving, it is vital hire a DUI lawyer at the earliest time.
A Maryland DUI conviction can trigger two separate cases: a court case and an administrative case. You are only given 10 days following your arrest to request the administrative case with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. For this reason, you certainly need the help of a DUI lawyer to file the case as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, your license will automatically be suspended.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
As mentioned earlier, a DUI conviction carries stricter penalties compared to a DWI case. First time offenders who are accused of DUI can expect to serve the following charges:
On the other hand, a DWI conviction has the following consequences:
Repeat drunk driving offenses follows tougher consequences.
License Suspensions for Maryland DUI
Aside from the court charges, you are also risking your license for a drunk-driving arrest and conviction. Typical length of the license suspensions are as follows:
If you earlier refused to undergo a BAC test with your first DUI arrest in Maryland, your license is immediately suspended for up to 120 days. For a DWI conviction, you are not allowed to drive for 45 days without your license. Subsequent DWI arrests will only lengthen your suspension time up to 90 days.
Insurance Consequences
For a DUI conviction in Maryland, not only that you will have to face all mentioned charges, you will also have to battle tough times with your insurance and your insurance carrier. You may either lose your existing coverage, or you may have to pay higher premiums as a result of your conviction. If you desire to shift carrier, you may find it just as tough as paying hefty rates with your existing carrier.