There are numerous fines and penalties that are associated with DUI laws in Maryland. Many people may find themselves facing a DUI charge if they are careless about alcohol consumption and make the fatal mistake of deciding to drive will under the influence of alcohol. This is unfortunately becoming a common occurrence in many states such as Maryland.
On a first count of a DUI in the state of Maryland, a person charged can expect to get up to two years of jail time if they were intoxicated with a minor in the car or one year without a minor in the car. Additionally, according to the DUI laws in Maryland, it is not uncommon for the driver’s license of the person charged with the DUI to be immediately suspended or revoked for a maximum period of six months.
Maryland DUI laws are pretty straight forward and the fines could easily run up to $2,000 for a first DUI. While a DUI is a lesser infraction than a DWI, the DUI laws in Maryland are still considered to be serious and strict. For example, if you are driving after having a few drinks, get pulled over and the police officer determines that your blood alcohol level is between .04% and .07% in the state of Maryland you will automatically be charged with a DUI.
Another common occurrence when it comes to DUI laws in Maryland is how the field sobriety test plays a huge part in a person being convicted of a DUI. It is not uncommon for someone to have a .04% blood alcohol level who completely fails the field sobriety test. This plays a major role in charging one with a DUI in the state of Maryland. According to state law, an officer can not only add eight points against a person’s driving record but they can also fine the person up to $500 on the first offense as well as remand jail time ranging from a minimum of 60 days to a year.
DUI laws in Maryland require that once the officer determines that offense has been committed they have administer the roadside field sobriety test. If this is failed the person will be offered a breathalyzer test. If this test reveals the blood alcohol level to be in violation of state law then an arrest will be made. The driver’s license will be confiscated and suspended and more often than not the person will be forced to spend the night in jail until they are sober enough to go home. People who refuse to take either test will have their licenses suspended for a maximum of 120 days. It could be said that Maryland DUI laws are quite strict.