Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Charged with DUI in Maryland—Your Ability to Drive Will Be Significantly Affected

In Maryland, when you are arrested for DUI, the police officer will confiscate your driver's license (unless you have an out-of-state license) and provide you with a temporary paper license. This paper license must remain in your vehicle while driving or else you can be charged with driving without a license. The temporary license is only valid for 45 days, and on that 46th day if you have not taken any action, your ability to drive is suspended for a certain period of time depending on various facts of your case (i.e. results of the breath test, refusal of the breath test).  If you take the breath test and the results are under 0.15, you will have three options regarding your driver's license: (1) you may request a MVA hearing to get a restricted license that would still allow you to drive for things such as school or work; (2) you may install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for a one year period and that would allow you to drive freely; or (3) take the suspension, which varies depending on the facts of your case (180 days-2 years).  However, if you refuse the breath test or take the test with results over 0.15, you are only limited to option (2) and (3)--install the interlock device or take the suspension.

When arrested for a DUI in Maryland, time is a very important factor when it comes to your ability to drive after the arrest. If you are able to request a MVA hearing, you should do so within 10 days of your arrest because that guarantees that your hearing will be scheduled before the 46th day when your suspension will take place. If you do not request a MVA hearing within the first 10 days, you must request one within 30 days of the arrest, or else you lose your chance to get a restricted license.

If you've been arrested for a DUI in Maryland, don't put your driving ability at risk and make sure to hire a top 10 DUI law firm in Maryland to help you throughout the criminal and administrative processes. Call us today for a free consultation: (301) 854-9000; (410) 995-1515.

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