Archives for October 2020

The Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired in Maryland

Conviction for the Lesser Offense of DWI in Maryland

The Penalties for Driving While Intoxicated/Impaired in MarylandIn Maryland, you can be convicted of driving while intoxicated/impaired if it can be shown in court that your ability to drive was affected to some extent by the consumption of alcohol or controlled substances. As a general rule, you may be charged with DWI if your blood alcohol level (BAC) is .07 or higher. (A DUI charge, which carries stiffer penalties, requires a BAC of .08 or higher.) You can be charged with a DWI even though your vehicle is not on the road or in motion, provided you are in the vehicle and the ignition is engaged.

Because DWI is considered a lesser offense than driving under the influence (DUI), the penalties are less harsh. For a first conviction, the maximum jail term is two months, and the maximum fine is $500. Prior convictions for DWI or DUI, however, can lead to stiffer sentences. A second conviction can bring a jail sentence of up to a year, and a third conviction can result in five years in prison. You also can face up to $5,000 in fines for a third conviction.

An Experienced Maryland DWI Defense Attorney

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has successfully protected the constitutional rights of people across the Baltimore area and throughout Maryland for almost 40 years, including people charged with driving while intoxicated or impaired. He’s been named a Top-Rated Lawyer by American Lawyer Magazine, as well as a Maryland SuperLawyer. His fellow attorneys have consistently given him an AV-rating (the highest possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System). He has a 5-star average rating (the highest possible) for all client reviews with AVVO, earning him the prestigious Client’s Choice Award. He also has a perfect 10.0 (Superb) AVVO rating as a litigator.

Attorney Smith will work hard to gather and preserve evidence in your defense, so he can present the most persuasive arguments for your acquittal. He will be at your side throughout a criminal prosecution, from investigation and arraignment to trial, if necessary. He brings extensive trial experience to every case he handles and will make every effort to protect your rights before a judge and jury.

Experienced Carroll County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Contact Maryland criminal defense attorney Jonathan Scott Smith by email or call us at 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We handle DUI defense in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County in Maryland.

The Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in Maryland

Conviction for the More Serious Offense of DUI in Maryland

The Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in MarylandUnder Maryland law, you can be charged with and convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) if there’s evidence that your blood alcohol content exceeded .08%, or that you were substantially impaired by alcohol or a controlled substance. The car doesn’t need to be in motion for you to be charged with a DUI, but the car must be running.

If convicted of DUI in Maryland, you can face jail time and fines, even for a first offense. Penalties increase if you’ve had prior DUI convictions within the last 10 years. For a first-offense conviction of driving under the influence, you can serve up to a year in jail and pay a potential fine of up to $1,000. A second conviction carries the potential for double the jail time and fine. A third conviction may cost you up to five years and as much as $5,000.

Proven Maryland DUI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith has successfully defended people in Baltimore and across Maryland on drunk driving charges for nearly 40 years. The American Lawyer Magazine named him a Top-Rated Lawyer and his colleagues in the legal profession have consistently given him an AV-rating (the highest possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System. A longtime Maryland SuperLawyer, he has a 5-star average rating (the highest possible) for client reviews with AVVO, earning him the prestigious Client’s Choice Award. He also has a perfect 10.0 (Superb) AVVO rating as a litigator.

Jonathan Scott Smith aggressively defends men and women charged with a wide range of criminal matters, including DUI. He provides thorough legal counsel throughout a criminal prosecution, from investigation to arraignment to trial. He’s a highly-respected trial attorney with extensive experience obtaining positive results in court. He’ll work hard to gather and preserve evidence in your defense and present the most persuasive arguments for your acquittal.

Experienced Carroll County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Contact Maryland criminal defense attorney Jonathan Scott Smith by email or call us at 410-740-0101 to set up an appointment. We handle DUI defense in Howard County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County in Maryland.

ADDRESS :

  • Jonathan Scott Smith 10490 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 200 ,Columbia, MD 21044-4960

  • Call for consultation 410-740-0101