Maryland Defense Attorney for 2nd + 3rd (Multiple) DUI Charges

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

Anyone convicted of impaired driving in Maryland faces jail time. The more convictions you have, the more jail time you face. It sounds simple, but many are surprised to learn that there is a lot of leeway in state sentencing guidelines. Often, the amount of time an offender spends behind bars varies depending on which jurisdiction handles the case.

Impaired driving can be charged as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) due to alcohol, drugs or a controlled dangerous substance. DUI is considered more serious under the law so the penalties are more severe compared to DWI. 

A first-time DUI conviction can result in up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Those penalties double for a second offense, along with the potential to lose your license for a year.

A first-time DWI conviction can result in up to two months in jail and a $500 fine. The fine remains the same for a second offense, but the potential jail time increases to a year.

A range of factors figures into sentencing. For example, a driver impaired by an over the counter drug such as a sleep aid may get a more lenient sentence than a driver who is drunk or high on heroin. A skilled defense attorney who knows the nuances that influence a sentence can mean the difference between losing your license over a DUI or not

If you’re facing DUI in Maryland, you should seek the help of an experienced Maryland DUI lawyer. First and even second offense DUI convictions can be resolved without jail time but may take extra work and time on the part of your lawyer to find the right judge and work out the best deal in your favor.

Judges have a lot of leeway in determining the sentences for impaired driving in Maryland. Often, the average fines or jail time vary by jurisdiction. For example, a repeat DUI offender is likely to get a harsher sentence in Harford County as opposed to Baltimore County. That tendency does not always apply, but veteran defense attorneys can attest that each bench has different sentencing inclinations. Here is a breakdown of sentencing trends our attorneys have noted in their experience:

Getting Multiple DUIs in Baltimore County 

Baltimore County is seen as a middle-of-the-road jurisdiction when it comes to DUI and DWI sentencing and penalties. Jail time for first offenders depends on a host of factors the veteran defense attorneys are skilled at navigating. However, most judges in Baltimore County are known to incarcerate an individual for a second offense DUI. 

Getting Multiple DUIs in Howard County

Howard County is much like Baltimore County in that the judges are typically conservative with sentencing. However, there are always outliers who impose lighter or stiffer sentences than their peers on the bench. This is where an experienced DUI lawyer is essential in helping you decide which judge is best suited to resolve your case.

Getting Multiple DUIs in Harford County

Harford County is known as one of the toughest jurisdictions for driving under the influence. The judges, as well as the prosecutors, are very tough on DUI and DWI cases and the individuals that commit the crime. 

Generally speaking, a second offense DUI in Harford County will likely land the defendant in jail for at least 30 days. If the facts of the case are egregious, such as an accident that injured others or disrespect towards the arresting officers, the offender may receive a longer jail sentence.

Getting Multiple DUIs in Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County has two district courthouses. Each is very different in the way its judges tend to sentence DUI offenders. Glen Burnie judges are typically a bit more lenient than their counterparts in the Anne Arundel County Annapolis District Court. The judges in Annapolis District Court generally sentence second-time DUI offenders to some period of jail time, which may include weekends. 

Getting Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for DUI

In Maryland, you are eligible for Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) if it’s your first DUI, or if your previous DUI is more than ten years old. 

Enhanced Penalties for a Second DUI Charge in Maryland

If you received a prior probation before judgment (PBJ) for DUI, the State’s Attorney’s office cannot seek advanced penalties for a second offense. In other words, a prior PBJ is not a conviction, so your case is subject to the standard sentencing guidelines referenced above.

Anyone found guilty of DUI or DWI, both of which are violations of 21-902 of the transportation article, faces the possibility of enhanced penalties. This gives prosecutors the ability to seek more jail time than the recommended guidelines for a repeat offender.

Multiple (3rd & 4th) DUI Offenses

If you have been arrested and charged with your 3rd or 4th DUI in Baltimore, you are likely already aware that you are facing very serious consequences.  Lawmakers in Baltimore and the State of Maryland have cracked down on drunk driving in the past couple of years.  You may rightfully be concerned about what a 3rd or 4th DUI charge may mean for you in the long-term.

The penalties available for people convicted of driving under the influence elevate with every successive violation.  However, Baltimore courts do not treat every defendant the same way.  Sentencing will depend greatly on the circumstances of the violation and the background of the defendant.  In some circumstances, defendants may be able to participate in the state’s Ignition Interlock program in order to retain their license and driving privileges.

Serious consequences deserve the attention of serious professionals.  The Baltimore lawyers for multiple DUI offenses at Rice, Murtha & Psoras have the experience and resources to present you with the best options available to you.  No matter the circumstances, you should never go through such a serious legal proceeding without the assistance of counsel.  Call our offices for a free consultation on your options.  We can be reached at (410) 694-7291.

Possible Penalties for 3rd DUI in Maryland

If a person is convicted of a 3rd DUI, the court must sentence that person to a minimum of 10 days in jail.  That figure, however, only represents the minimum.  Maximum penalties may include any of the following:

  • Up to three years of jail time
  • Fines of up to $3,000
  • As many as 12 additional points on the driver’s license
  • Revocation of the driver’s license
  • Mandatory participation in an alcohol or drug abuse counseling program

Possible Penalties for 4th DUI in Maryland

The potential penalties for a 4th DUI in Baltimore are the same as those available for a 3rd DUI.  However, courts are much more likely to assess the maximum sentences available after a 4th DUI.

Further, there is a high degree of likelihood that a 4th DUI charge accompanies a charge of driving with a revoked license.  Penalties for driving with a revoked license include 12 additional points on the driver’s license, up to one year in jail, and an additional $1,000 in fines.

Administrative Appeals After License Suspension for Multiple DUIs in Maryland

Following a DUI charge, the state may determine that an offender’s license should be revoked.  The offender will be notified of this change in licensure status through what is called an “order of suspension,” a letter that indicates the reasoning for the state action.  The offender has 30 days from the issuance of the order of suspension to request an administrative hearing on the decision.  Without the request for an administrative hearing, the license suspension takes effect 46 days after the issuance of the order of suspension.  Typically, the administrative hearing will be scheduled within three to four months of the initial arrest.

If you miss the 30-day deadline for requesting an administrative hearing, there is nothing that you can do.  If you receive notice that your license will be suspended, you should contact one of our Baltimore lawyers for multiple DUI offenses immediately.  We can help you prepare your appeal request and represent you at the administrative hearing.  You do not have much time, so it is imperative that you act immediately.

Ignition Interlock Program After Multiple DUIs in Maryland

Maryland law allows for some people who have been convicted of multiple DUIs to opt into the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP).  The IIP is a voluntary option for those individuals who hope to avoid a full license suspension as a result of their transgressions.  By opting into the IIP, the defendant agrees to employ a breathalyzer device which connects to their vehicle’s ignition and requires a successful result in order to start the car.  This can be a beneficial option for those individuals who require their license in order to keep their job and are determined to remain within the bounds of the law.

Our Maryland DUI Defense Attorneys Can Help You Fight a Second, Third, or Fourth DUI Charge

Hiring a veteran defense attorney who has relationships with prosecutors and understands the inner workings of courthouses in each jurisdiction is essential. Often,  experienced lawyers can arrange a better deal for you without even going to trial, based on their knowledge of resolving hundreds of similar cases. Call DUI attorney Randolph Rice now for a free consultation at 410-288-2900.