Upper Marlboro DUI Defense Attorneys

Politicians know that the public supports tough DUI/DWI laws, so drunk driving laws get tougher every year. DUI is the most common reason for arrest in Maryland, and fines represent a major revenue source for localities.

The law doesn’t care that you didn’t cause harm to anyone, or that you’ve never been arrested before. Once you are arrested, they’ve got you, and only a skilled DUI lawyer can save you from fines, license suspension, alcohol and drug classes, problems with employers and schools and possibly jail.

Knowledgeable Drunk Driving Defense

At the Law Offices of Thomas C. Mooney, we work with scores of DUI clients every year. Many are students from College Park. Many others are tourists passing through from New Jersey, New York or other states. In both cases, it’s important to resolve the matter quickly, with an emphasis on protecting young people’s records and scheduling court dates when they will cause the least disruption.

We defend against the full roster of DUI/DWI charges:

• First time DUI
• Repeat DUI offenses
• DUI medication
• DUI drugs
• Child endangerment
• DUI injury
• Motor vehicle manslaughter
• DUI boating
• Underage DUI
• Vehicular assault
• Vehicular homicide
• Leaving the scene

What Happens After A DUI Arrest In Upper Marlboro?

An arrest by local police or Maryland State Troopers sets off a fast-moving process. Your experience begins with the traffic stop, followed quickly by field sobriety tests, an arrest and booking at the station. Once authorities release you, a complex timeline starts.
You must immediately realize that you face a dual-track system. To protect your future, you need to understand how these tracks differ.

• The criminal case: This path goes through the Prince George’s County District Court right here in Upper Marlboro. The criminal court handles your potential guilt, jail time and monetary fines.
• The administrative hearing: This independent path goes through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The MVA strictly manages your driving privileges, suspensions and restrictions.

Urgency is your single most important factor right now. You only have a strict 10-day deadline from your arrest date to request an MVA hearing in Maryland if you want to prevent an automatic suspension of your driver’s license before your hearing takes place. While the state allows up to 30 days to request a hearing, missing the 10-day window strips away your right to keep driving while you wait for your court date.

MVA Hearings In Maryland: Protecting Your Driver’s License

The administrative side of a drunk driving arrest catches many people off guard. Even if a judge later dismisses your criminal charges, the Maryland MVA can still suspend your license unless you act quickly.
Depending on your breath test results, prior record, or whether you refused the test entirely, the outcomes vary wildly. You may face a lengthy hard suspension (up to two years) or you might be eligible to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program to keep driving to work or school.

Understanding DUI/DWI Charges In Upper Marlboro And Maryland

Under Maryland law, a DUI charge is for driving under the influence, and this typically means that a person has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .08%. The court can presume they were under the influence when they break this threshold. 

DWI charges are for driving while impaired – a charge that can be issued even if someone is below that BAC threshold, such as if they have a BAC of .07%. Likewise, DWI charges could apply to prescription drugs, marijuana, illegal drugs or other substances that impair a person’s ability to drive but would not affect their BAC.

DUI Penalties in Prince George’s County: What You’re Facing

The local state’s attorney’s office in Prince George’s County aggressively prosecutes drunk driving. Under Maryland Code, Transportation § 21-902, defendants can face severe and lasting consequences in criminal court. Beyond jail time, a conviction can burden you with high fines, heavy point accumulations and mandatory equipment restrictions.
The law breaks down penalties by the severity of the offense and your history:

• First-offense DWI: This lesser driving while impaired charge carries up to two months in jail, a $500 fine and puts eight points on your driving record, which makes you eligible for a license suspension.
• First-offense DUI: A driving under the influence charge brings up to one year in jail, up to a $1,000 fine and places 12 points on your record, which triggers a complete license revocation process.
• Repeat-offense DUI: If you are a repeat offender, you are highly likely to face much longer jail sentences and steeper fines. A second DUI within five years carries a mandatory minimum of five days in prison, up to a $2,000 fine and mandatory participation in the Ignition Interlock Program.

Defendants could also receive points on their record, have their driver’s license suspended or be required to use an ignition interlock device. A DWI typically puts eight points on a person’s record, while a DUI could result in 12 points.

Why Choose The Law Offices of Thomas C. Mooney For DUI Defense?

Your future hangs in the balance when facing significant criminal charges, and you need an experienced DUI lawyer in Maryland. Attorney Mooney has decades of experience, having been admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1998. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers from 2011 to the present, and Baltimore Magazine named him one of the top attorneys in the state in 2013.

He is also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish, which allows him to connect with a variety of clients. Attorney Mooney is deeply knowledgeable about Maryland DUI laws, has strong relationships with local judges and prosecutors, and works closely with clients to create a personalized strategy based on aggressive defense tactics. He can protect your rights when you need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions On Maryland DUI/DWI

As your legal lifeline, we can assist in safeguarding your prospects. Here are answers to questions specific to such cases arising in Maryland.

How will the DUI/DWI conviction affect my future?

A DUI/DWI conviction in Maryland may impact your future in the following ways:

• A DUI/DWI conviction will appear on your criminal record, affecting employment opportunities, housing applications and professional licensing.
• Maryland imposes strict penalties on driver’s licenses for DUI/DWI convictions depending on how serious the offense is and your prior record.
• A DUI/DWI conviction can significantly increase car insurance premiums.
• Fines and court costs can create a financial burden.

DUI/DWI charges carry significant consequences that should be arguably treated with utmost legal interventions.

How will a DUI/DWI impact my ability to maintain my driver’s license?

If your blood alcohol content level is .08% or higher, your license will be confiscated immediately and can be suspended for six months. Subsequent offenses or higher BAC levels can lead to more extended suspension periods or revocation of your license. You may be able to retain your driving privileges for work or school, but only through prompt legal action.

Maryland has very strict rules around DUI/DWIs – what are they?

The Maryland legal limit for driving under the influence is a BAC of .08% or higher. But, if your BAC is between .07% and .08%, you can still be charged with the same offense.

Maryland also has an “implied consent” law. This means that by operating a vehicle on public roads, you have implicitly consented to a chemical test. Refusing such a test can result in an automatic license suspension, even if you are ultimately not convicted of DUI/DWI.

What does “adjudicated” mean in DUIs?

Adjudication is the legal process of determining guilt or innocence. When charged with a DUI/DWI, your case will go through the adjudication process, which involves a court hearing or trial. If you’re found guilty or plead guilty, you are considered “adjudicated” for the offense through a formal judgment or a rendered sentence.

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