Maryland distinguishes between two types of charges that are normally considered under the umbrella of driving while intoxicated. Driving under the influence (DUI) usually applies to alcohol use, whereas driving while impaired (DWI) is a broader concept. Maryland’s DWI applies to behavior such as driving after using marijuana or other illegal drugs, or even legal prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can make driving hazardous. Certain cold and allergy medications, for example, cause drowsiness, and people are advised to avoid operating a motor vehicle after taking them. A DUI Lawyer in Timonium MD can help clients fight these charges and to avoid the worst penalties if conviction is inevitable.
A person who has never been stopped for DUI before may still face life-changing consequences if convicted. The person is considered to have committed a criminal offense, which can have a negative impact on employment opportunities, particularly those that involve driving. It leads to increased automotive insurance rates for years to come. The individual will have a driver’s license suspension for a period of time and will have to pay a steep monetary fine. The DUI conviction stays on the driver’s record for 10 years.
The Commonwealth of Maryland does not take DUI charges lightly. It has some of the toughest laws in the entire country regarding this offense. If a judge believes a harsh penalty is warranted, this judge has the discretion to sentence the person to a full year in prison. That year of incarceration can cause an enormous level of disruption in the person’s life that can take years from which to recover. It becomes obvious why aggressive legal defense from a DUI Lawyer in Timonium MD is crucial. These lawyers understand that most people charged with DUI have simply made a serious mistake and are unlikely to ever do this again.
A defense attorney such as Maria Caruso has learned how law enforcement officials conduct investigations and the types of errors to watch for. Skilled and experienced defense lawyers know the types of factors that lead a prosecutor to drop or reduce charges, and that convince a judge to dismiss a case or at least issue the most lenient sentence allowed by law.
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