Maryland DUI Laws

by Robinson Rowe 

Maryland DUI Defense Lawyers is a highly rated law firm with focused knowledge, training, and experience in DUI/DWI defense. Headquartered in Rockville, MD, with offices in Greenbelt, MD and Salisbury, MD, our attorneys litigate cases in Maryland (Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George's County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and throughout the Eastern Shore), the District of Columbia, and Virginia.

Like other states, Maryland has very strict laws to curb drinking and driving. This means that you should be very careful to not get behind the wheel when there is any doubt that you might be above the limit. For drivers under 21, Maryland has a strict zero tolerance policy and your license will be suspended or revoked if you are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of above 0.02% For drivers over 21, a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08% or above is considered a DUI offense while anything between .04% to .08% can be used to prosecute for a DWI.

For first time offenders, above the age of 21, there may be up to a year in jail time for a DUI and up to 2 months for a DWI. A first offense can also carry a fine of up to $1000 for a DUI and a fine of up to $500 for a DWI. There is a minimum six month license suspension for both a DUI and a DWI but no Ignition Interlock Device installed after.

Second time offenders, above the age of 21, may receive up to 2 years in jail time for a DUI and up to 1 year for a DWI. A second offense can also carry a fine of up to $2000 for a DUI and a fine of up to $500 for a DWI. There is a minimum one year license suspension for both a DUI and a DWI and a Ignition Interlock Device installed after.

Third time offenders, above the age of 21, may receive up to 3 years in jail time for a DUI and a DWI. A first offense can also carry a fine of up to $3000 for a DUI and a DWI. There is a minimum eighteen month suspension for both a DUI and a DWI and a Ignition Interlock Device installed after.

The look back period in Maryland is five years which means that any DUI in the last five years will be taken into account when decided how many offenses to consider.

Additionally if you decide to not take the chemical test in Maryland you will have your license suspended automatically with your 1st offense resulting in a 120 day license suspension, 2nd offense resulting in a 1 year license suspension and your 3rd offense resulting in the same length of suspension.

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