A DUI is more than a traffic ticket. Maryland judges take this offense very seriously, and the penalties may be life-altering. If you have been arrested for multiple DUIs, you need the help of an experienced Owings Mills second-offense DUI lawyer. The DUI attorneys at Nguyen Roche Sutton have plenty of experience in this area of law and are ready to fight diligently on your behalf.
For a first-offense DUI, drivers face fines up to $1,000 and may spend up to one year in jail. Additionally, drivers could have their license revoked for six months and have 12 points applied.
Second-offense DUIs carry more severe penalties. The fines double to $2,000, and jail time, ranging from five days to 12 months, is mandatory. Additionally, drivers may lose their license for 12 months, and 12 points will be added.
Should a driver be convicted of two DUIs within five years, they must also use an ignition interlock device when their license is restored. These ignition devices are expensive to install and remove, and may come with monthly charges. According to the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), a driver may also be required to attend alcohol abuse assessment programs or other types of counseling.
The costs of DUIs stack up quickly, making it essential that drivers contact a seasoned Owings Mills second-offense DUI attorney immediately after their arrest.
Here in Maryland, driving under the influence (DUI) charges apply to those driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, drivers with a slightly lower BAC, usually 0.07% to 0.079%, will also face charges for driving while impaired (DWI).
Overall, DWI is a less serious charge but still carries penalties, fines, license points, and increased auto insurance costs. Individuals facing DWI charges after a DUI should still contact a second-offense DUI lawyer for appropriate counsel.
While “points” stay on a license for just two years, DUI convictions remain on a driver’s history forever. After a second DUI offense, many drivers receive a non-renewal letter from their auto insurer. The insurer may decide not to cover the driver at all or offer auto insurance at a much higher price.
A history of DUIs can also make it difficult to find employment. This is especially true for anyone who drives for a living, including commercial truckers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, and anyone with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition to these legal and professional consequences, those facing second-offense DUI charges may experience significant damage to their reputation that an attorney could help mitigate with a strong defense.
If you need an Owings Mills second-offense DUI lawyer, call the team at Nguyen Roche Sutton today. Our modern firm is tech-savvy, environmentally aware, and paperless. We could fight tirelessly on your behalf to have your second DUI dismissed or reduced to lesser charges. Schedule your appointment now.
