Prince George’s County DUI Lawyer

 

If you have been arrested for DUI in Maryland, it is important to contact a Prince George’s County DUI lawyer who can handle your case for the minimum impact on your life. If not handled properly, a DUI arrest can lead to a conviction that carries not only significant financial expense, but also heavy personal costs. From the loss of a driver’s license to time in jail to a criminal record that can plague future opportunities, the consequences of a DUI conviction can be hard to bear. Call a Prince George’s County DUI attorney to build a defense that helps you avoid or minimize these consequences.

 

DUI in Prince George’s County Maryland

 

Maryland DUI laws, like those in other states, consider a driver to be under the influence of alcohol if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration (0.08) or greater. When it comes to DUI, the state of Maryland has little tolerance for commercial vehicle drivers and zero tolerance for underage drivers. A commercial vehicle operator can be charged with DUI with a BAC as low as 0.04; a driver under the age of 21 is considered to be driving under the influence with a BAC of only 0.02.

 

Additionally, the state enforces the lesser alcohol-related driving offense of DWI, or driving while impaired, for drivers with a BAC of 0.07.

 

When charged with DUI or DWI, turn to an experienced Prince George’s County DUI lawyer who can provide sound legal counsel and help you fight your criminal charge.

 

Consequences of DUI in Prince George’s County

 

A Prince George’s County DUI arrest can lead to the immediate termination of your driving privileges. Your license will be confiscated and suspended immediately, even before you have had your say in court. Finding a DUI lawyer in Prince George’s County is the first step to reinstating your driving privileges pending the outcome of your case. You have only ten days from the time of your arrest to request a hearing from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Your attorney can make this request for you and can represent you at the administrative hearing.

 

If you are subsequently convicted of DUI in Maryland, your license will be suspended for a period of time dependant on the severity of your offense. You also face a heavy fine and possibly jail time if convicted.

 

A first offense of DUI in Prince George’s County can lead to a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1000 fine. Certain conditions, such as transporting a minor or causing a serious accident, can enhance the penalties even further. As a first offense, misdemeanor DUI is rarely punished to the maximum extent. A skilled Prince George’s County DUI lawyer can help increase your likelihood of a minimal sentence.

 

Subsequent DUI offenses are charged as felonies rather than misdemeanors, leading to longer prison sentences, heavier fines, longer license suspension, and other restrictions:

 

• Fine of up to $2000 for a second DUI offense or $3000 for a third DUI offense
• Prison sentence of up to two years for a second DUI offense or three years for a third DUI offense
• License suspension of one year for a second DUI offense or eighteen months for a third DUI offense
• Ignition Interlock required to reinstate driving privileges

 

DUI cases are generally heard at one of two locations of the Prince George’s County District Court: 14735 Main Street in Upper Marlboro, or 4990 Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville.

 

Whether you are facing probation as a first offender or significant jail time as a repeat offender, your Prince George’s County DUI lawyer can offer you the knowledge and experience necessary for a successful defense.

 

Prince George’s County DUIDefense Attorney

 

For those charged with DUI in Prince George’s County, Maryland, defense options include working for a dismissal or acquittal based on illegal procedures or faulty evidence and negotiating a lesser charge or reduced sentence. To find out which defense is right for you, call an experienced Prince George’s County DUI attorney for an evaluation of your case.