Towson First DUI Defense Attorneys

DUI Lawyers for First-Time Drunk Driving Charges in Towson, MD

An arrest for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated can be a frightening experience for anyone. If you have never been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) before, understanding the legal procedures that will be followed may feel overwhelming. You may be worried about what consequences you may face, whether you will lose your driver's license, or whether you may be sentenced to jail. Even if you have no prior criminal record or serious traffic record, you could face multiple types of penalties that could affect you and your family, so it is crucial to have an experienced lawyer on your side as you take steps to defend yourself.

Attorney Kirk Seaman is dedicated to helping people in Towson and the surrounding areas protect their rights in DUI cases. Our firm has been serving the needs of clients since 1953. We provide trustworthy, experienced legal help, fighting to protect our clients' rights and working to ensure that they can resolve DUI cases successfully. We can help you understand your legal options and provide guidance on what steps you can take to avoid a conviction or minimize the penalties that may affect your life.

The Impact of a First-Time DUI Charge

Being convicted of DUI for the first time can affect your life in many ways, and these effects may last for many years. You could potentially face issues such as:

• Permanent Traffic Record: In most cases, a DUI conviction will result in a permanent traffic record that will appear along with your criminal record. Information about an arrest and conviction will show up in background checks that may be conducted by potential employers, landlords, and others. Expungement is typically not available for a DUI conviction in Maryland, although expungement may be available for a case resulting in Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) after 15 years.
• Driver's License Suspension: If you are convicted of DUI, your license will be revoked for a maximum of six months. Even if you are not convicted, your license may be suspended for six months because you failed or refused to take a breathalyzer or blood test. The loss of your driver's license can make it difficult to get to work, attend school, transport family members, or run essential errands.
• Insurance Premiums: A DUI conviction can cause your car insurance premiums to skyrocket. Insurance companies consider people who have been arrested for drunk driving to be high-risk, and you may face obstacles as you take steps to maintain insurance on your vehicle or vehicles.
• Employment Consequences: Depending on your line of work, you could potentially lose your job after being arrested or convicted of DUI. If you are a licensed professional such as a doctor, dentist, or therapist, your license could be suspended or revoked, and you may face obstacles as you try to have your license reinstated and continue working on your chosen profession.
• Personal and Social Stigma: A DUI arrest or conviction can affect your personal reputation and relationships. You could lose standing in the community, and your family, friends, colleagues, and others may no longer trust you.

Given the severity of these potential consequences, it is crucial to take a first-time DUI charge seriously. An experienced lawyer can help you determine your best options for defending against a conviction, preventing a permanent record, regaining your driving privileges, and taking steps to protect your reputation.

Penalties for a First-Time DUI or DWI Conviction

In Maryland, an arrest for drunk or intoxicated driving could lead to charges of either driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI). DUI charges generally apply if you are accused of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is over the legal limit of .08 percent or driving under the influence of controlled substances. If you were below the legal limit, but a police officer believed that you were impaired and could not drive a vehicle safely, you may be charged with DWI.

The specific penalties you may face if you are convicted include:

• Fines: For a first-time DUI conviction, you may be fined up to $1,000. For a first-time DWI conviction, the maximum fine is $500.
• Jail Time: A first-time DUI conviction can result in a sentence of up to one year in jail, while a first DWI conviction carries a maximum sentence of two months.
• Driver's License Suspension: A first-time DUI conviction will result in a license revocation of up to six months. A first-time DWI conviction can result in a six-month suspension. The process of reinstating your driver's license will be more complicated and difficult if your license is revoked rather than suspended.
• Ignition Interlock Device: You can receive authorization to continue driving after your license is suspended or revoked by participating in the Ignition Interlock Program. This will require you to install a device in your vehicle that will test your breath and prevent the car from starting if you have alcohol in your system.
  

It is important to note that these penalties can vary depending on the specifics of your case. For example, penalties may increase if you had a BAC of .15 percent or more or if you were involved in an accident in which someone was injured. Because the penalties of a DUI conviction are likely to affect you for multiple years or even the rest of your life, it is crucial to secure legal representation from an attorney who can help you determine what steps to take to protect your rights and your future.

Our Maryland DUI defense lawyers can help you determine your best options for defending against a DUI conviction. We can review the circumstances surrounding your arrest to determine whether police officers failed to follow the correct procedures, made errors when performing DUI tests, or violated your rights in other ways. We will work to help you avoid a conviction if possible, and we can also negotiate agreements that may allow for reduced penalties while minimizing the effects on your life. Depending on the circumstances of your case, we can help you understand whether probation may be available or whether you may be able to avoid a conviction and maintain your driving privileges by participating in substance abuse treatment.

Contact Our Towson, Maryland First-Time DUI Defense Lawyers

Attorney Kirk Seaman can provide the skilled defense you need to protect your rights and your future as you address first-time DUI or DWI charges. Contact us 24/7 at 410-837-6077 to schedule a free consultation and get experienced legal help with your DUI case.