La Plata DUI/DWI Lawyers
A DUI/DWI can happen to anyone, and if it happens to you, you need to find a way to keep your record clean and retain your license. At the La Plata law offices of Devine & Fanning, we handle both the administrative and criminal sides of drunk driving charges for individuals throughout Southern Maryland. Whether you have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI), we can help you protect your rights and keep your license.
Never Losing Track of Your Goals
Contact Devine & Fanning Today ♦ 301-753-4316
Anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher will face criminal charges in Maryland. While a first offense can carry 60 days to a year in jail, if you have been previously convicted of a DUI/DWI, you face increased penalties with each subsequent offense. Protecting your rights today also means protecting your rights in the future.
There are a number of ways to defend against drunk driving charges. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into the procedures used in your initial stop, field sobriety tests, and breath or blood tests to see if there were any mistakes in the procedures followed by the police. If the police failed to follow proper procedures, your charges could be thrown out.
Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) License Issues
After your DUI/DWI arrest, you have a very limited time to notify the MVA of your request for a hearing date. If you miss that deadline, you may not be given a temporary license before your hearing, if at all. At your hearing, the MVA will consider giving you a modified license. There are several factors involved in this decision, including:
- Over a .08: We can help you obtain a 45 day restricted license, which will allow you to drive to work, school, and any court-ordered classes.
- Over a .15: With such a blood alcohol concentration, you are looking at a 90 day flat suspension or an Interlock device on your car for one year.
- Refusal of breath test: There are serious consequences for refusing to take the breath test, including a flat suspension for 120 days or an Interlock device with a restricted license.
If you have a commercial drivers license (CDL), a drunk driving conviction may mean you automatically lose your CDL and involves federal laws. So, make sure you fight the charges from the start.
Contact Us
From our offices in La Plata, we offer free initial consultations for individuals who have been charged with a DUI or DWI. Located next to the Charles County Courthouse, we are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Evening and weekend hours are available by appointment. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
