Frederick, MD DUI Defense Attorneys

Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers in Frederick, Maryland

Allegations of driving under the influence (DUI) can happen in many situations. Accusations of drunk driving should not be taken lightly. As with most criminal offenses, DUI convictions can have long-lasting effects on your future, including heavy fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record. If you stand accused of DUI or driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Frederick, do not wait to seek legal counsel.

At Arrested for a DUI, LLC, we know how to handle DUI charges. Our DUI defense attorneys are committed to aggressively advocating for your rights and helping you defend against a conviction. Whether or not you are a first-time offender, our firm is available 24/7 to help you. We provide comprehensive and compassionate legal services in both English and Spanish.

Types of DUI Charges in Frederick

The Old Line State can prosecute "under the influence" offenses in many different ways. In most cases, DUI charges will apply when a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal limit, which is .08 percent in Maryland. A chemical test showing that a person had a BAC of .08 percent or higher is often one of the most crucial pieces of evidence in a DUI case.

In some cases, DUI arrests may be made based on behavioral observations. An officer may perform field sobriety tests during a traffic stop, and they may arrest someone if the person's performance on these tests indicates that they are intoxicated. Behavioral factors may be especially relevant in cases where people are suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs, since measuring impairment by these substances is not as straightforward as in cases involving alcohol.

There are several categories of DUI charges, which include:

• Driving under the influence, which generally involves situations where a person had a BAC of .08 percent or higher
• Driving while intoxicated, which may be charged when a person was under the legal limit, but an officer believed that they could not drive safely because of the use of drugs or alcohol
• Commercial DUI, which applies to drivers with a BAC of over .04 percent while operating commercial vehicles
• Underage DUI for drivers younger than 21 years old who have any level of alcohol or drugs in their systems

Marijuana DUI

THC, the active component in cannabis, does not behave like alcohol in the body. While recreational marijuana is legal in Maryland, it is still illegal to drive while impaired by cannabis, even when it is lawfully possessed.

Tolerance, dosing, and timing can affect each driver's level of impairment differently. Moreover, drivers can test positive for marijuana use far after the intoxicating effects have faded. Since cannabis impairment cannot necessarily be proven by a chemical test, prosecutors may depend on a police officer's account of a defendant's driving behavior and performance on field sobriety tests.

Penalties for DUI Convictions in Maryland

While a first conviction for DUI involving alcohol use can carry up to one year of jail time, a second conviction doubles the maximum sentence to two years. Repeat-offender provisions will impose a maximum of five years in prison for a third or subsequent conviction.

If you are convicted of DUI in Maryland within five years of a prior DUI conviction, the court is obligated to sentence you to at least five days in jail. For a third or subsequent conviction within the same time frame, the mandatory minimum doubles to 10 days.

Reach Out to Our Frederick DUI Defense Lawyers

When you have been arrested for driving under the influence, Arrested for a DUI, LLC can help you explore your options and develop a plan of action. To schedule a free consultation, call 301-479-5466 or contact our Frederick, MD DUI Defense attorneys.