Annapolis being Maryland’s state capital contains numerous places to go out and enjoy drinks. If you had a night out on the town and had a few too many, you need an Annapolis DUI lawyer.
When you are charged with driving under the influence you need a skilled attorney to stand on your side. If you are convicted of a DUI, there will be a continuing impact on your life. Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras to let us help you with your DUI charges.

Penalties

Under Maryland law, there are five impaired driving offenses. Each of these offenses carry their own penalties under Maryland Transportation Code §21-902.

  1. Driving while under the influence of alcohol
  2. Driving while under the influence of alcohol per se
  3. Driving while impaired by alcohol
  4. Driving while impaired by a drug, combination of drugs, a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol
  5. Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance

First Offenses

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol per se carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding $1,000.
Driving while impaired by alcohol carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding two months and/or a fine not to exceed $500.
Driving while impaired by drugs or drugs and alcohol carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding two months and/or a fine not to exceed $500.
Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance carries a punishment of imprisonment not to exceed one year and/or a fine not exceeding $1,000.

2nd Offenses

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol per se carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding two years and/or a fine not exceeding $2,000.
Driving while impaired by alcohol carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding one year and/or a fine not to exceed $500.
Driving while impaired by drugs or drugs and alcohol carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding one year and/or a fine not to exceed $500.
Driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance carries a punishment of imprisonment not to exceed two years and/or a fine not exceeding $2,000.
All of these penalties will have a great impact upon your life. However, the penalties can be even harsher for third or subsequent offenses. The penalties are also often increased if there was a minor in the car at the time. The idea of jail time and large fines are frightening. Don’t let the idea of these punishments loom over you, contact an Annapolis DUI lawyer to talk about how we can help you.

DUI v. DWI

Many people use the terms DUI and DWI interchangeably. But in Maryland DUIs are different from DWIs. To begin, DUI, stands for driving under the influence, meanwhile, DWI is driving while impaired.
So, what are the differences? The main difference is that a DUI is typically charged if the blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or above. DWIs are normally charged for BACs that are between .04 and .08. This means that DWIs are normally a less harsh charge to receive but can still impact your life none the less.

Life Impacts

When people are charged with or convicted of a DUI or DWI, there can be major effects on their lives. People who have jobs may lose them. People who are looking for jobs may have a more difficult time getting hired. However, people can also be affected in their everyday lives.
Once convicted of impaired driving there are several administrative penalties that can greatly impede on your everyday activities. Points, an ignition interlock and even suspension of the license can all be effects of a DUI conviction.
Points added to a person’s license may make insurance impossible to afford. Suspension of a license means that you will not be able to drive for months or even a year. For someone who is accustomed to driving everywhere, a suspended license can mean an impediment to your freedom. Don’t let a DUI conviction change your life. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras to talk about what we can do to help you.

Students facing DUI or DWI charges

Oftentimes students who are charged with a DUI are underage. This means that in order to be charged for impaired driving the BAC only need to be .02. When students are facing DUI charges, there are not only reputational impacts, but can also cause impacts through the school.
If the impaired driving was on campus, then there can also be college disciplinary hearings on top of criminal charges. This can result in academic probation, expulsion from school or even counseling through the school. When students are facing DUI charges, there can be a lot on the line for the student’s future. That makes an Annapolis DUI lawyer even more important.

DUI Defenses

If you have been accused of DUI, there is are defenses that can be established to negate the possibility of a conviction. The first defense is that there was no probable cause for arrest or the arrest was not by the book. You may be able to challenge the initial stop if the police searched your vehicle and did not have probable cause.
You may also challenge your arrest if no Miranda warnings were given at the time of arrest. If the police violated these requirements then any evidence, including the DUI, can often be suppressed, leading to the case to be dropped.
However, if the police did everything by the law, you may still have a defense. There are affirmative defenses, that claim yes, I broke the law, but I had a good reason to.
These affirmative defenses include entrapment. This means that the police offer required the person to drive under the influence. Another defense may be involuntary intoxication. This defense is where a person claims that they had been intoxicated without their knowledge.
Any type of defense to a drunk driving charge can be difficult to establish in court. Don’t face DUI or DWI charges alone. Have an experienced Annapolis DUI lawyer by your side to help get you the best outcome.

Call an Annapolis DUI Lawyer for Help

Being charged with a DUI can cause a lot of confusion for you in your life. You may not know which steps to take next or who to talk to. When you come to Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we walk you through the process and fight for you. We understand that your future is on the line; job prospects, fines and even reputation. Don’t risk it going to court alone. Call an Annapolis DUI Lawyer immediately.