What starts out as a fun night out can sometimes turn into a stressful DUI/DWI arrest. For many people, it may be their first criminal offense. You don’t have to navigate the uncertainty of the criminal justice system alone. With the help of an Towson DUI/DWI lawyer, you may diminish or expunge the charges against you, which could include jail time, loss of driving privileges, fines, or increased insurance rates. 

At The Law Office of Hillel Traub, our DUI/DWI attorneys have over 30 years of experience and are well-versed in the complexities of DUI/DWI charges. We offer personalized legal representation and meticulous legal services to protect your legal rights from initial consultation to trial. DUI/DWI Attorney Hillel Traub strives to obtain the best possible results and offers trustworthy legal guidance every step of the way, so you can rest assured that our DUI/DWI lawyers are aggressively fighting for you. 

Difference Between a DUI and DWI in Maryland 

Both DUI and DWI charges are serious criminal offenses in Maryland. Both are based on the danger of driving under the influence to both the driver and people sharing the road. In Maryland, over 400 people were seriously injured in DUI/DWI accidents, and 117 people suffered an alcohol-related fatality between 2017 and 2021. The main difference between DWI charges and DUI charges is the amount of blood alcohol content your system has. With a BAC of .07, you may be arrested for a DWI, and with a BAC of .08, you may be arrested for a DWI. 

According to the Maryland Transportation code MD Transp Code § 21-902 (2019), you may be convicted of a DUI if your BAC is as follows: 

• Must be .08 or over for all motorists
• Must be .04 or over for commercial drivers
• Must be zero for drivers under 21

A DWI charge may be less serious than a DUI charge; however, you may still be charged if you pass a breathalyzer test but still show signs of intoxication in a field sobriety test, erratic driving, or slurred speech. An experienced Towson DUI/DWI lawyer may help you evaluate the details of your case to determine the best possible defenses to diminish or expunge the charges against you. 

Consequences of a DUI/DWI in Towson 

Depending on the circumstances of your DUI charge, you may be facing the following penalties:

• For a first-offense conviction, you may have one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, or both depending on the judge’s discretion. 
• For a second-offense conviction, you may have up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine.
• An ignition interlock device (IID) device may be installed in order to maintain driving privileges, requiring you to blow into the IID before you can drive and at intervals while driving. The IID will disable the vehicle if the driver fails to blow a BAC of zero.
• If a minor was in the vehicle at the time of the DUI arrest, the jail sentence may be longer. 
• License suspension of 180-270 days
• Loss of driving privileges, at the discretion of an MVA hearing
• Points on your driving record
• Increased insurance rates 
• Enrollment in an alcohol treatment program 
• Community service 

For a DWI charge, you may be facing the following penalties: 

• For a first-offense conviction, you may have two months in jail and a $500 fine.
• For a second-offense conviction, you may have a longer jail sentence and a higher fine, especially if a minor was in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.
• An ignition interlock device (IID) device may be installed in order to maintain driving privileges, requiring you to blow into the IID before you can drive and at intervals while driving. The IID will disable the vehicle if the driver fails to blow a BAC of zero.
• Loss of driving privileges, subject to an MVA hearing
• Points on your driving record
• Increased insurance rates 
• Enrollment in an alcohol treatment program 
• Community service 

Being convicted of a DUI/DWI offense in Maryland is life-altering. At The Law Office of Hillel Traub, we understand that handling a charge alone can be challenging for a person who has never navigated the criminal justice system before. You can rest assured our DUI/DWI lawyers will do what it takes to fight the accusation and help you keep the DUI/DWI charge off your criminal record.

Possible Defenses of a DUI/DWI Charge in Towson 

There may be several possible defenses of a DUI/DWI charge, depending on the circumstances of your arrest, including the following: 

• The police officer didn’t have reasonable suspicion that you were intoxicated as a reason to pull you over 
• The police officer didn’t administer the field sobriety tests properly 
• The police officer failed to conduct the breathalyzer test properly 
• The police officer illegally administered a blood test 

There are other potential defenses to a DUI/DWI charge in Towson. At The Law Office of Hillel Traub, we utilize our personalized legal strategy and take every possible step necessary to fiercely fight for you in court, so your legal rights are protected. 

Speak With an Experienced Towson DUI/DWI Lawyer at The Law Office Hillel Traub 

DUI and DWI convictions may be life-altering and lead to harsh penalties for your immediate future and beyond. At The Law Office of Hillel Traub, we fight to keep your criminal record free of DUI/DWI charges. We are prepared to fight for a favorable outcome, including diminishing charges or expunging the charges against you. DUI/DWI attorney Hillel Traub is a former DUI/DWI lawyer from MVA and a fierce litigator with a proven track record of success. 

Schedule a no-cost consultation by calling (410) 580-1100 or filling out our contact form. 

Call Now – (410) 580-1100