Rockville DUI Lawyer
Facing a Maryland DUI charge can be an intimidating experience, but with the help of an experienced Rockville DUI lawyer you can rest assured that you are well protected. A DUI arrest is not the same thing as a DUI conviction. Even when confronting challenging blood alcohol analysis results, a skilled Rockville DUI attorney can uncover sound options for your successful defense.
Rockville DUI Laws
In most cases, Maryland DUI is charged against drivers who are found to be driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. However, there are special circumstances in which a driver with a much lower BAC may be charged with DUI:
- Commercial vehicle drivers are considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of 0.04 or greater.
- Drivers under the age of 21 are considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of 0.02 or greater. The state of Maryland shows no tolerance for underage drinking and driving.
Drivers with a BAC of 0.07 may be charged with the lesser offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Though penalties are not as severe for a Maryland DWI conviction as they are for a Maryland DUI conviction, DWI is still a serious offense best handled by a reputable Rockville DUI lawyer.
Rockville DUI Penalties
Most Rockville DUI charges are prosecuted as misdemeanors, but certain conditions are considered aggravating factors which can lead to enhanced penalties and may result in a DUI being charged as a felony.Generally, Rockville DUI cases are heard at the Montgomery County District Courthouse located at 191 East Jefferson Street. Whether you have been charged with misdemeanor DUI or felony DUI , finding a DUI lawyer in Rockville should be your priority. Even if you are sentenced for conviction of Maryland DWI, the lightest offense, you face jail time and a $500 fine as possible consequences.
A first DUI conviction in Maryland can lead to a fine of up to $1000 and a jail sentence of up to one year. If you were found to be transporting a minor at the time of your arrest, fines and jail time are increased significantly. Other circumstances with exacerbate the crime include repeat offenses and accidents involving significant property damage, injury, or death.
Barring any aggravating factors, a second DUI conviction within five years of the first can lead to up to $2000 in fines, a jail term of up to two years, a one-year suspension of the driver’s license, and installation of an Ignition Interlock device at the driver’s expense.
A third or subsequent Maryland DUI conviction is a felony DUI punishable by up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, and a suspension of the driver’s license for eighteen months.
In addition to the legal penalties of a DUI conviction, one faces administrative penalties of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). If you are arrested for DUI in Rockville, Maryland, your license will be confiscated and your driving privileges suspended pending the outcome of your case. You have only ten days from your arrest to request a hearing with the MVA to maintain your driving privileges. By quickly hiring a Rockville DUI attorney, you can meet the hearing request deadline and be confident that you have adequate legal representation at your MVA hearing.
Rockville DUI Attorney for Quality DUI Defense
If you have been charged with DUI in Rockville, Maryland, fight to protect your driving record and avoid a criminal record by finding a Rockville DUI attorney equipped to handle your case. Whether you are charged with a first offense or a subsequent offense, whether you are charged with misdemeanor DUI or felony DUI, you have defense options that can help you avoid or minimize the damage associated with a DUI arrest. For an evaluation of your case, schedule an appointment with a DUI lawyer in Rockville.
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