If you are charged with a DUI or a DWI, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked, or you may be placed in jail. We will work to prevent those two occurrences.
Anne Hoke Attorneys can defend you against traffic charges in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Whether you are charged with speeding, reckless driving, or DUI/DWI, our attorneys can explain your options to you and help you with your trial.
The “legal limit” for driving under the influence of alcohol is the same in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. If you have a blood alcohol test revealing a blood alcohol content of at least .08, you are considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol. However, a court can still decide that you were under the influence even without a blood test. In Maryland you can be sentenced to up to 2 months in jail if you are “impaired” by alcohol, even with a blood alcohol content less than .08.
A first DUI offense in Washington D.C. may result in up to a $300 fine and 90 days in jail. Pennsylvania carries a possible penalty of 6 months in jail and a $300 fine. A first offense in Maryland can lead to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. In Virginia you would face up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine and, with their new fines and taxes, a conviction is far more expensive than before. These penalties increase dramatically for second, third, or additional convictions, or, if your blood alcohol content is much higher than the legal limit.
If you are charged with a DUI in Maryland, you also may be facing an automatic suspension and/or revocation of your drivers’ license. It is important to know that certain traffic offenses can be considered criminal offenses in certain jurisdictions and those offenses can result in jail time.
Our office can appear with you at Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) hearings to help you keep your driving privileges.