The Penalties for Drunk Driving in Maryland

The Potential Sanctions When You Have Been Convicted of DUI/DWI

the-penalties-for-drunk-driving-in-maryland The penalties for conviction of drunk driving in Maryland will depend on a number of factors, including the type of charge and whether you’ve had any prior convictions. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is considered a lesser offense than driving under the influence (DUI), carrying the following potential sentencing:

No prior convictions—Up to 60 days in jail and $500 in fines
One prior conviction—Up to a year in jail and $500 in fines
Multiple priors—Up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines

For the more serious charge of driving under the influence, the potential penalties include:

No prior convictions—You can expect up a year in jail, as well as the potential of $1,000 in fines
One prior conviction—The potential incarceration is up to two years and fines can reach $2,000
Multiple prior convictions—You could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines

Aggressive Baltimore DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than three decades of experience to criminal defendants across the Baltimore metropolitan area and the state of Maryland, including people charged with domestic violence or abuse. He has been received an AV-rating (the highest rating possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System from his colleagues in the Maryland bar for more than 34 years. He has been ranked among the top 100 lawyers in Maryland listed by SuperLawyers and was named a Top-Rated Lawyer by The American Lawyer Magazine. He has also earned Martindale-Hubbell’s Client Distinction Award, awarded to less than 4% of all lawyers nationwide.

Over the past three decades, attorney Smith has successfully protected the rights of individuals facing all types of criminal charges, including prosecution for domestic violence or abuse. He will work hard to protect your constitutional rights, fully investigating your case to verify that law enforcement officers and prosecutors follow proper procedures when gathering evidence. He’ll question all potential witnesses and preserve all relevant evidence, so that he can prepare and present the most compelling arguments for your acquittal.

Attorney Smith has been listed among the top 100 attorneys in Maryland by the National Trial Lawyers Association, a “by invitation only” professional organization. He holds a 10.0 (Superb) rating as a trial attorney from AVVO, as well as AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.

Proven Frederick County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Contact our office by e-mail or call 410-740-0101 for a free initial consultation. We represent criminal defendants in Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Maryland’s Drunk Driving Laws—An Introduction

What Is the Difference between DUI and DWI?

Like all other states, Maryland takes a serious approach to drinking and driving. Under state law in Maryland, a person may face either a DUI (driving under the influence) charge or a DWI (driving while intoxicated) charge if convicted of drunk driving.

What Is the Difference between a DUI and a DWI in Maryland?

In Maryland, a DUI is the greater offense of the two. You can be charged and convicted of driving under the influence if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 8% or higher. You can also be charged and convicted if it can be proven in court that you were driving while substantially impaired by either alcohol or drugs.

You can face charges for driving while intoxicated in Maryland if your BAC is 7% or greater, but less than 8%. There must also be evidence that your driving was affected by your level of intoxication.

It’s important to understand that you can be charged with either a DWI or a DUI in Maryland, even if your vehicle is not traveling along the road. The statute allows you to be prosecuted if you were in “actual control” of the vehicle. Accordingly, you may be charged with drunk driving while sleeping in a running vehicle or while having the motor running while in a parked car.

Experienced Prince George’s County Criminal Defense Attorney

Attorney Jonathan Scott Smith brings more than three decades of experience to persons facing criminal prosecution in Maryland, including people charged with drinking and driving. SuperLawyers has listed him as one of the top 100 lawyers in Maryland and The American Lawyer Magazine has also named him a Top-Rated Lawyer.

Attorney Smith has held an AV-rating (the highest possible) under Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating System for more than three decades. He has also received Martindale-Hubbell’s coveted Client Distinction Award, an accolade earned by less than 4% of all attorneys nationwide. He carries a 10.0 (Superb rating) as a trial lawyer from AVVO and has also earned AVVO’s Client’s Choice Award, with an average client review of 5 stars.

A highly experienced trial lawyer, Jonathan has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Maryland criminal law and procedure. He knows how to effectively gather and preserve evidence and will take all necessary measures to ensure that law enforcement officers did not violate your constitutional rights.

Contact a Results-Oriented DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer in Maryland

At the law offices of Jonathan Scott Smith, we aggressively advocate for criminal defendants throughout the greater Baltimore area and across the state of Maryland. Contact us online or call 410-740-0101 to arrange a meeting. We handle cases throughout Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland.

Jonathan Scott Smith Criminal Defense Firm