We’ve talked about the penalties for repeat offenses involving driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) based on alcohol. We’ve also discussed the penalties for repeat offenses involving DUIs/DWIs based on drugs. There’s another category of DUIs/DWIs in Maryland – charges for impaired driving that involve transporting minors.
Maryland has a different set of penalties when minors are being transported by a driver who is convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence. Maryland law is clear that driving drunk or impaired with a child in the car who is under the age of 18 serves as an aggravating factor to impaired driving charges. An aggravating factor is an element that allows for imposing additional or heightened penalties.
Penalties for a first-time DUI with a minor in the car
- Up to $2,000 in fines
- Up to 2 years of imprisonment
- MVA penalties such as points, license suspension and installation of ignition interlock device
- Offense is a misdemeanor
Penalties for a second-time DUI with a minor in the car
- Up to $3,000 in fines
- Up to 3 years of imprisonment
- MVA penalties such as points, license suspension and installation of ignition interlock device
- Offense is a misdemeanor
Penalties for a third-time DUI with a minor in the car
- Up to $4,000 in fines
- Up to 4 years of imprisonment
- MVA penalties such as points, license suspension and installation of ignition interlock device
- Offense is a misdemeanor
Repeat offenders – those who are convicted of impaired driving charges within five years of each other – will face have additional penalties:
- Mandatory minimum jail time from five to 10 days or community service from 30 to 60 days
- Mandatory alcohol or drug abuse assessment
An Ocean City, Maryland DUI attorney can help you with your charges. An Ocean City DUI lawyer will review your case to determine if the charges can be reduced or dismissed or whether a probation before judgment is possible. The attorneys at Maronick Law LLC have experience fighting Ocean City, Maryland DUI charges. The office is open during the pandemic and will continue to meet your Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Baltimore, Essex, Ocean City, Towson, White Marsh DUI legal needs. The consultation is free.
We can meet with you remotely if you have access to Zoom. You can contact Thomas Maronick on his cellphone at 202.288.0167, the law office at 410.881.4022 or through the website for a free consultation.
