Harford County DUI FAQs

You can represent yourself, however it would be to your detriment. “Drunk driving” is a very complex field with increasingly harsh consequences. There is a minefield of complicated procedural, evidentiary, constitutional, sentencing and administrative license issues.

A qualified attorney can review the case for defects, suppress evidence, compel discovery of such things as calibration and maintenance records for the breath machine, have blood samples independently analyzed, negotiate for a lesser charge or reduced sentence, obtain expert witnesses for trial, contest the administrative license suspension, all while counseling you so that the impact on your daily life is minimized.

DUI

• 1st Offense : maximum 1 year incarceration and/or $1,000 fine, 12 points on your driving record and revocation of your driving privilege
• 2nd Offense : maximum 2 years incarceration and/or $2,000 fine and revocation of your driving privilege
• 3rd Offense: maximum 3 years incarceration and/or $3,000 fine and revocation of your driving privilege

DWI (Driving While Impaired)

• First Offense : maximum 60 days incarceration and/or $500 fine, 8 points on your driving record and suspension of your driving privilege
• Second Offense : maximum 1 year incarceration and/or $500 fine and revocation of your driving privilege

In Maryland, DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is a more serious offense than DWI (Driving While Impaired). A DUI is typically charged when a driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, while a DWI is for a BAC of 0.07% or less or for circumstances where it is more difficult to prove a DUI.

The penalties vary depending on whether it's a first or subsequent offense.

• First Offense: Up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, 12 points on your driving record, and license revocation.

• Second Offense: Up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine, and license revocation.

• Third Offense: Up to three years in jail and/or a $3,000 fine, and license revocation.

• First Offense: Up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine, 8 points on your driving record, and license suspension.

• Second Offense: Up to one year in jail and/or a $500 fine, and license revocation.