In Maryland, there are two types of drinking and driving offenses.

The first, and most severe offense, is called driving while under the influence (commonly called DUI).  A person who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater is assumed to be under the influence of alcohol.  Maryland law calls a BAC of .08 or above “under the influence per se.” 

The second is called driving while impaired (commonly called DWI). A person who has a blood alcohol concentration of .07 is assumed to be impaired by alcohol.

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It is also crime to drive while impaired by drugs (even legal drugs), drugs and alcohol, or controlled dangerous substances like marijuana. Driving with any combination of drugs and/or alcohol that prevent you from driving safely is illegal.

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A person under the age of 21 who drives with any alcohol in their system is breaking the law. If that person is caught, they will be arrested and charged with a DUI.

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MD Drunk Driving LawyerPENALTIES FOR DUI IN MARYLAND
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) is a criminal charge in Maryland that can potentially carry a wide variety of penalties. 

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If a person has been arrested for a DWI or DUI, he or she will be charged with a crime and must go to court. Drunk-driving offenses are misdemeanor crimes in Maryland.

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If the DUI or DWI occurs when transporting a minor, the length of jail terms are much longer.  The punishments for DUI or DWI increase with each subsequent conviction. First offenders face up to one year in prison, fines of up to $1,000, suspension of your driver’s license, and 8 points on your driving record. Second time offenders face the possibility of up to two years in jail, $2,000 in fines, driver’s license suspension or even revocation, and 12 points on your license. Offenders with three or more DUIs face up to three years in jail, $3,000 in fines, and driver’s license suspension or license revocation.

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In addition to the above penalties, a DUI/DWI conviction can lead to increased auto insurance premiums, decreased credit ratings, travel restrictions, and various other costs. Any driver in Maryland who has been charged with either offense should consider hiring an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer to help defend against this charge and even beat the case.

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Attorney Morales will evaluate your traffic case and develop a specific legal strategy to beat the charges or minimize the potential consequences. Call The Law Office of Morales now for your DUI, to schedule a free consultation.