Legal Tips & Resources
A lawyer may need to get involved in your case if you have been charged with a DUI because a conviction might significantly disrupt your life. In the worst cases, someone convicted of a DUI may have to serve time in prison, lose their driving privileges forever, pay many thousands of dollars in fines, and be turned down for loans, school applications, and jobs. DUI convictions are also hard on relationships and they can bring tremendous embarrassment and harm to one’s personal as well as professional reputation.
DUI Crimes
Every state in the U.S. has a law that prohibits motorists from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Convictions rely in large part on the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level. However, the tests are not always accurate and the results can be subject to misinterpretation. This is where a seasoned DUI lawyer can be invaluable. He or she will recognize when mistakes or inaccuracies have occurred which may be used as leverage to secure a reduction in charges or even a dismissal.
DUI Convictions
If you are convicted of a DUI, the Judge will determine the penalties you should be assessed. If you decide to not hire a private DUI lawyer, and/or depending on the circumstances, you could be sentenced to jail, mandatory fines, community service, and more. If it’s not a first offense, you could permanently lose your driver’s license. A seasoned DUI lawyer understands best what might convince the Judge to allow you to use your vehicle for commuting to work.
DUI Terms to Understand
If you have any questions about your case, your DUI lawyer from our firm will be happy to provide the answers you need as well as address your concerns. Here are some general terms that will likely come up during your case:
· Implied consent. In many states, motorists automatically consent to a law enforcement vehicle stop as well as a BAC test when they get their driver’s license. Should the driver refuse to submit to a BAC test, they will automatically lose their license.
· DUI checkpoint. This is a roadblock set up by law enforcement to stop vehicles and determine if a driver is impaired. It’s not uncommon to encounter a DUI checkpoint on busy holidays when many people are away from home and drinking.
· Blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level. This is the percentage of alcohol in the driver’s bloodstream. If the concentration exceeds the maximum allowable amount, the driver will be charged with a criminal offense. Depending on the amount of BAC, the seriousness of the charge will reflect the percentage of BAC.
To learn more about how Maryland DUI laws may affect the charges against you, contact a DUI lawyer in Baltimore for a free consultation.
Thanks to Greenberg Law Offices for their insight into criminal defense and DUI charges.