"BLURRED" LINES", HOWARD COUNTY MD. DUI & DWI DEFENSE 101: FINES AND PENALTIES

Drinking and driving laws in Maryland are complex and complicated, and getting more so every year.  As you will read, the ramifications of a conviction for drunk driving can be severe.  Therefore, if at all possible a DUI or DWI defendant probably should not attempt to self-represent themselves in these serious cases.
I. DUI AND DWI PENALTIES

	1st Offense	2nd Offense	3rd Offense
A. Jail	Up to 1 year (DUI); up to 2 months (DWI)	Up to 2 years (DUI); up to 1 year (DWI)	Up to 3 years
B. Fines and Penalties	Up to $1,000 (DUI); up to $500 (DWI)	Up to $2,000 (DUI); up to $500 (DWI)	Up to $3,000
C. License Suspension	Min 6 months (DUI & DWI)	1 year (DUI & DWI)	18 months min.
D. IID** Required	No	Yes	Yes

Lookback Period: 5 years (Period of time that prior DUIs are relevant for sentencing.)
**Ignition Interlock Device

II. How much do you have to drink (BAC*) for a DUI/DWI in Maryland?:

A. Under 21	.02%
B. 21 or older	.08% or higher (DUI) Between .04% and .08% (DWI)
C. Commercial	.04%

** BAC = blood alcohol content
How many drinks does it take? Check the BAC chart.
You may want to try our BAC Calculator, however I wouldn't let any results encourage you to drink and drive.

III. What if you refuse to take a chemical test in Maryland?

Maryland has an implied consent law. That means that if you refuse to submit to a chemical test you will be subject to a fine and automatic license suspension. Learn more about Maryland’s implied consent law.

	1st Offense	2d Offense	3rd Offense
A. Refusal to take test	120 day license suspension	1 year license suspension	1 year license suspension

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Among his numerous other legal awards and honors such as "America's Best Attorneys and Counselors", U.S. Super Lawyer, "Top Lawyers in America", Top Attorneys and Counselors in the U.S., "Top Lawyers in Maryland", and winner of the national "Charles Hamilton Houston Award for Outstanding Litigation", premier criminal defense attorney Charles Ware is recognized and ranked by hi many satisfied clients as well as his legal peers as "One of the 10 BEST DUI and DWI Attorneys in the State of Maryland," as confirmed from research, surveys and other investigation by The American Institute of DUI and DWI Attorneys [AIDUIA] --- a respected national organization of trial lawyers.

Attorney Ware is also the founder and senior partner of the Maryland-based national business, criminal defense and civil trial law firm Charles Jerome Ware, Attorneys & Counselors, LLC. For an initial courtesy consultation, call Mr. Ware at (410) 730-5016 or (410) 720-6129.