The first 12 hours after a holiday DUI arrest in Maryland matter because they are when people make the mistakes that haunt them later. You might feel embarrassed, angry, or desperate to fix it quickly. However, rushing usually creates new problems, especially when you say too much, post online, miss a deadline, or agree to something you do not fully understand.
This guide focuses on practical steps you can take right away to protect your license, your case, and your options.
Know The Stakes Before You Do Anything Else
Maryland treats impaired driving seriously, even for a first offense. Under Maryland law, a first DUI offense can involve up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to 1,000 dollars, and 12 points on your driving record. A first offense DWI, on the other hand, can involve up to 60 days in jail, a fine up to 500 dollars, and 8 points on your license. Maryland also imposes increased penalties, including higher maximum jail time sentencing and fines, when aggravating factors are present.
Because the stakes are real, your goal in the first 12 hours is simple: stay calm, limit what you say, preserve information, and avoid making the case easier for the state.
Similar Post: What Should You Do And Not Do During A DUI Stop In Ocean City Maryland?
Hour 0 To 2: Get Safe And Stop Creating New Problems
1) Get Home Safely And Do Not Drive
Even if you feel fine, do not try to pick up your car, run errands, or prove you are okay. Ask a trusted person to drive you or use a ride service. A second stop can compound everything.
2) Pause Your Phone Before You Use It
Most damage after a DUI arrest happens through the phone, not the courtroom.
Avoid this immediately:
- Posting on social media
- Texting friends details about drinking or the stop
- Calling coworkers or your boss in a panic
- Messaging the other people from the night to align stories
- Joking about it in a group chat
If you must communicate, keep it to logistics only, such as I am safe and I will call tomorrow.
3) Collect Every Paper You Were Given
Holiday arrests can come with multiple forms. Put every piece of paper into one folder or envelope. Then take photos of each page so you have a backup.
Look for:
- Citation or charging documents
- Any paperwork about your driver’s license
- Court date information
- Release paperwork
- Anything related to testing
If you think you are missing something, write down what you remember receiving.
Hour 2 To 6: Build Your Timeline While Memory Is Clear
4) Write A Timeline In Your Notes App
Do this before you sleep. Keep it factual and chronological, not emotional.
Include:
- Where you started the night
- What you ate and drank and when
- When you left
- Your route and where you were stopped
- What the officer said was the reason for the stop
- Whether field sobriety tests happened and where
- Whether breath or blood testing happened and when
- Weather, lighting, footwear, and road surface conditions
- Any injuries, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, or fatigue
Do not try to defend yourself in the notes. Just capture facts.
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5) Save Receipts And Digital Time Stamps
Holiday nights create time markers that help later if timing becomes a dispute.
Save:
- Restaurant receipts
- Parking receipts
- Event confirmations
- Ride share logs
- Credit card notifications
- Text messages that show time, not opinions
6) Write Down Witness Names Without Coaching Anyone
If someone was with you earlier, saw how you seemed, or knows your timeline, write down their name and contact info. Do not tell them what to say. Do not ask them to recreate the night with you. Just preserve who might matter down the line.
Hour 6 To 12: Protect Your License And Your Next Moves
7) Do Not Assume Court Is The Only Track
Maryland DUI cases can involve more than one set of consequences. That is why paperwork matters. If you received anything about your license, treat it as urgent. Missing a deadline can create problems you do not need to have.
8) Avoid The Quick Fix Traps
In the hours after release, people often try to close the situation fast. That usually backfires.
Avoid:
- Paying something online without understanding what it resolves
- Calling the prosecutor to explain yourself
- Asking the court staff what you should do
- Agreeing to a plea quickly to look responsible
- Taking legal advice from friends who are not Maryland DUI defense lawyers
9) Get A DUI Defense Review Early
Holiday DUI arrests often hinge on the reason for the stop, the fairness of testing conditions, and whether procedures were followed. Early review helps because your memory is fresh and the details are still easy to verify.
A strong review typically focuses on:
- Whether the stop was lawful
- Whether probable cause existed for arrest
- Whether field tests were conducted in fair conditions
- Whether test timing and procedures raise issues
- What penalties you realistically face based on the charge
What Not To Do In The First 12 Hours After A Holiday DUI Arrest
If you only follow one section, follow this one.
- Do not post online, even indirectly
- Do not text details about how much you drank or how you felt
- Do not call police or prosecutors to talk it out
- Do not drive while exhausted, upset, or still processing
- Do not throw out paperwork
- Do not guess later about timing if you can record it now
Were You Arrested For DUI During The Holidays In Maryland? Get Guidance From Maronick Law
If a holiday DUI arrest turns your plans upside down, you do not have to guess your way through what comes next. Maronick Law can break down the DUI versus DWI charge you face, explain the Maryland penalties that may apply, and map out a practical game plan for protecting your driving privileges and limiting long-term fallout. Call 443-551-2747 or use the online contact form to request a free consultation. We represent clients throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Towson, Ocean City, and Salisbury.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.