In 2012, over 16,000 individuals in Maryland were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). There were a total of 160 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, and seventy percent of those fatalities involved drivers that had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than 0.15.
In Washington DC, the most recent published statistics are from 2011, which show that over 40 individuals were arrested for DUI in that year. There were a total of 8 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, with fifty percent of those fatalities involving drivers that had a BAC of more than 0.15.
Driving under the influence and OWI (operating while intoxicated), are serious offenses that carry heavy penalties, jail time, and suspension of the motor vehicle operator’s license.
Maryland DUI & OWI penalties
In Maryland, the potential penalty for a first offense is:
- Up to 1 year of jail time for a DUI and up to 2 months for OWI
- Up to $1,000 in fines for DUI or $500 for OWI
- A minimum of 6 months of license suspension for both charges
For second-time offenders in MD, potential penalties include:
- Up to 2 years of jail time
- Up to $2,000 in fines
- 1 year of license suspension
- Required interlock ignition device installation
An OWI carries up to 1 year of jail time, up to $500 in fines, 1 year of license suspension, and a required interlock ignition device.
For third-time offenders, both offenses carry a penalty of up to 3 years of jail time, up to $3,000 in fines, a minimum of 18 months of license suspension, and the required installation of an interlock ignition device.
Washington DC DUI & OWI Penalties
A first DUI offender in DC faces 90 day maximum jail sentence, $300 – $1,000 in fines, and 6 months of license suspension.
For a second offense and third offense, the jail time sentence is a maximum of 1 year. The fines differ with $1,000 – $5,000 for a second offense and $2,000 – $10,000 for a third offense. There is no interlock ignition device requirement.
Recent changes in the law also impose mandatory minimum jail sentences where BAC is above a certain limit and/or for repeat offenders.
The law moves quickly when these charges are involved. If you, or a loved one, have been charged with a DUI or OWI, it is imperative that you seek legal representation.
The experienced Washington DC criminal defense attorneys at Lotze Mosley have been handling these types of cases for many years, and we have secured successful and positive outcomes for many of our clients.
For an initial consultation, we welcome your call to our office at (202) 393-0535.
