Charles County Maryland DUI/DWI Defense Attorney

In Maryland, drunk driving can be called driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI), but the two terms are not interchangeable. DUI is when your blood alcohol content (BAC) is more than 0.08%, but DWI is when your BAC is at least 0.04% but less than 0.08. You can also get criminal charges for DUI if the drug that is impairing your ability to drive is something other than alcohol, even if it is a legally prescribed drug. If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges for drunk driving or drugged driving, contact a Charles County Maryland DUI lawyer.

Experienced Charles County Maryland DUI Lawyer

The penalties for DUI and DWI in Maryland vary according to your BAC at the time of the traffic stop, but another factor that affects the penalties you can face is how many previous drunk driving convictions you have on your record, if any. For a first offense, the maximum sentence for DWI is up to two months in jail and a fine of $500, whereas for first offense DUI, it is up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. For a second DWI offense, the maximum penalty increased to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. For a second offense DUI conviction, the maximum sentence possible is two years in jail and a $2,000 fine. For a third offense of either DWI or DUI, the maximum penalty is three years in jail and a $3,000 fine. Of course, a Charles County Maryland DUI attorney can help you avoid the maximum sentences for drunk driving.

Even if the attorneys at your Charles County Maryland DWI law firm are able to help you avoid jail time, and even if they can help you get into a pretrial diversion program that allows you to get the charges dropped once you finish the program, you will need to show the court that you can go for an extended period of time without getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol. DWI and DUI almost always result in a period of driver’s license suspension or of keeping an ignition interlock device installed in your car. An ignition interlock device is a breathalyzer attached to the ignition of your car, so that the car will not start unless your BAC is below the acceptable limit.

The consequences for DUI are more serious if you cause an accident, especially if it involves injuries and fatalities. In that case, your sentence could include a long prison term if you are convicted of all your charges. Your Waldorf, Maryland DUI lawyer can help you even if you face additional criminal charges for an alcohol-related traffic accident.

Robert R. Castro has been representing defendants in DUI and DWI cases for over 29 years. The Law Office of Robert R. Castro is located at 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD 20601. You can also call us (301)870-1200 or contact us online.